Program Overview
The PGDE Secondary Education: Psychology program at the University of Strathclyde prepares students to become qualified psychology teachers. Through a combination of coursework, practical experience, and personalized feedback, the program equips students with the knowledge and skills to make psychology accessible to pupils and apply the science of learning in classroom contexts. Graduates are eligible to join the Teacher Induction Scheme in Scotland and pursue careers as teachers in secondary schools worldwide.
Program Outline
PGDE Secondary Education: Psychology - University of Strathclyde
Degree Overview:
This program is a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) specializing in Secondary Education: Psychology. It is designed to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to become qualified psychology teachers. The program aims to:
- Teach students how to apply the science of learning in classroom contexts.
- Provide students with personalized feedback and connect them with the broader community of psychology teachers.
- Prepare students for a career in teaching psychology in locations worldwide.
Outline:
The PGDE (Secondary) Psychology course is modular in structure and spans 36 weeks, including 18 weeks of placement experience. It can be studied full-time or part-time over two years.
Modules:
- Education Studies: Professional Values: This module explores the theoretical underpinnings of education, focusing on issues like the nature and purpose of education, social justice and equality, and practice and policy in relation to ethical and political ideas. It encourages students to reflect on their values and beliefs in relation to educational questions and issues.
- Professional Learning Through Enquiry: This module aims to develop students as enquiring, self-reflective practitioners who can work collaboratively to develop skills, knowledge, and expertise in an area of professional practice. It supports students to become autonomous, transformative leaders of change.
- Professional Skills: This module is taught both on campus and in schools and enables students to become effective teachers through learning pedagogical theory, observing experienced teachers, and applying their knowledge and understanding in a practical context. It is divided into two sub-modules:
- Curriculum and Pedagogy: This sub-module focuses on teaching methods and curriculum development.
- Professional Practice: This sub-module focuses on practical skills and classroom management.
Placement:
Students spend 18 weeks of the course on placement in a school within Scotland. Placement provides students with the opportunity to put their learning into practice, explore their own teaching style, learn new techniques, and develop relationships with their pupils. Students are required to keep a portfolio of progress during their placement, which forms part of the evidence of their meeting the Standards for Provisional Registration and prepares them for career-long professional learning.
Assessment:
The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:
- Coursework: Each class includes coursework that involves group or independent study on specified tasks. This may involve presentations and written reports.
- Placement: Students are continually assessed during their placement to ensure they meet the requirements for the Standards for Provisional Registration.
- Portfolio: Students are required to keep a portfolio of progress during their placement, which forms part of the evidence of their meeting the Standards for Provisional Registration.
Teaching:
The course encourages an active and participative style of learning to meet students' professional needs and promote a commitment to continuing professional development. The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including:
- On-campus classes: Students attend classes on campus to familiarize themselves with the curriculum, collaborate with other students, and begin to plan lessons and develop materials.
- Placement: Students spend 18 weeks of the course on placement in a school within Scotland, where they observe experienced teachers and apply their knowledge and understanding in a practical context.
- Personalized feedback: Tutors provide students with personalized feedback throughout their studies to help them develop.
Careers:
Most PGDE graduates go on to work as teachers in secondary schools across the country. The PGDE is a well-recognised teaching qualification worldwide, and graduates are eligible to join the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS) in Scotland, which provides a guaranteed 1-year training post in a local authority.
Other:
- Students have the opportunity to achieve up to 120 credits at Masters level, which can be used towards further study following the course.
- The program is regulated by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and the Scottish Government.
- The PGDE Psychology program is relatively new, having started in the academic year 2016-17, and is currently the only one of its kind in Scotland.
- The program offers a strong sense of community and peer support for students.
2024/25
ScotlandTBC England, Wales & Northern Ireland£9,250 International£18,050
