Program Overview
The PGDE Geography program at the University of Strathclyde equips aspiring teachers with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to excel as secondary geography educators. Through modules in Education Studies, Professional Learning, and Professional Skills, students explore curriculum, pedagogy, classroom management, and reflective practices. The 18-week placement experience provides real-world teaching experience within Scottish schools, preparing students for successful careers anywhere in the country.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The PGDE Geography program is a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education designed to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to become qualified secondary school geography teachers. The program is recognized worldwide and regulated by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and the Scottish Government. It provides students with the opportunity to achieve 120 Masters-level credits and offers funded places for Scottish/Home students.
Objectives:
The program aims to:
- Provide students with experience in various teaching approaches and develop their knowledge and understanding of the geography curriculum at different stages.
- Enhance classroom practice through support from experienced geography specialists.
- Prepare students for a successful teaching career, regardless of their chosen destination.
Outline:
The PGDE Geography program is modular in structure and spans 36 weeks, including 18 weeks of placement experience. Students can choose to study full-time or part-time.
Course Schedule:
- Full-time: 36 weeks, including 18 weeks of placement experience.
- Part-time: Two years, including 18 weeks of full-time placement experience.
Modules:
The program consists of three 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. Students are encouraged 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. Students are supported 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 the curriculum and teaching methods.
- Professional Practice: This sub-module focuses on practical teaching skills and classroom management.
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 spend 18 weeks on placement in a school within Scotland, where they are continually assessed to ensure they meet the requirements for the Standards for Provisional Registration.
- Portfolio: Students must maintain a portfolio of progress while on placement. This placement file forms part of the evidence of their meeting the Standards for Provisional Registration and prepares them for career-long professional learning.
Teaching:
The program encourages an active and participative style of learning to meet students' professional needs and promote a commitment to continuing professional development.
Teaching Methods:
- On-campus classes: Students attend classes on campus to familiarize themselves with the curriculum, collaborate with other students, and begin planning lessons and developing materials.
- Placement: Students spend 18 weeks on placement in a school within Scotland, where they put their learning into practice, explore their own teaching style, learn new techniques, and develop relationships with their pupils.
Faculty:
The program is taught by experienced geography specialists who provide full support throughout the course.
Unique Approaches:
- Interdisciplinary links: All students on the PGDE Geography course engage with students in Biology, History, and Modern Studies to explore interdisciplinary links and how these might be developed further.
- Cross-curricular links: Geography students have developed cross-curricular links across the spread of subjects as geography is often seen as a link between the sciences and arts.
Careers:
Potential Career Paths:
- Secondary Teacher: Most PGDE graduates go on to work as teachers in secondary schools across the country.
- Head Teacher: Graduates can progress to leadership roles within schools.
- Further Education Lecturer: Graduates can teach in further education institutions.
- Special Educational Needs Teacher: Graduates can specialize in supporting students with special educational needs.
Opportunities:
- Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS): Students from Scotland, other parts of the UK, and the Republic of Ireland who are studying at a Scottish Higher Education Institution are eligible to join the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS). This provides a guaranteed 1-year training post in a local authority to every eligible student graduating with a teaching qualification from one of Scotland's Higher Education Institutions.
- Preference Waiver Scheme: This scheme allows student teachers on TIS to agree to be allocated to their one-year post anywhere in Scotland, with an additional financial incentive of around £8,000.
Outcomes:
- Well-recognized qualification: The PGDE is a well-recognized teaching qualification worldwide.
- Work anywhere in Scotland: Graduates are eligible to teach in any secondary school in Scotland.
Other:
- Masters Credits: Students have the opportunity to achieve up to 120 credits at Masters level, which can be used towards further study following the course.
- Subject-specific classes: All students on the PGDE Geography course specifically engage with students in Biology, History, and Modern Studies to explore interdisciplinary links and how these might be developed further.
- Cross-curricular links: Geography students have developed cross-curricular links across the spread of subjects as geography is often seen as a link between the sciences and arts.
- Timetable: The course hours are 9am to 5pm, and students are expected to be working on course-related activity during those hours.
- Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city: The University of Strathclyde's campus is based in the heart of Glasgow, providing students with access to a vibrant city with many opportunities for sightseeing, shopping, and socializing.
Scotland:
TBC
England, Wales & Northern Ireland:
£9,250
International:
£18,050
