Course summary

OVERVIEW This programme provides the formal teaching qualification for provisional registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) – giving you the skills, knowledge and experience to build a career as a primary school teacher. PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS You will cover a wide range of subjects that feature in the primary school curriculum including English/Literacy, Health and Wellbeing, and Mathematics/Numeracy. The programme enables you to develop core skills in planning, teaching, assessment and evaluation strategies, classroom organisation, building relationships in the classroom, and contemporary issues in Scottish education. PROGRAMME DETAILS • You will gain practical experience through 18 weeks of school experience placements that occur in at least two primary schools or education and childcare settings within local authorities in Scotland. • Upon graduating you will receive the formal teaching qualification necessary for provisional registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland – a requirement for entry into the guaranteed one-year Teacher Induction Scheme. CAREERS Most UWS graduates remain in mainstream teaching in the UK or abroad. Others work in specialist educational areas including working with children with additional learning support needs, adult training, museums, writing and publishing, health education, curriculum development and social services. COURSE CONTENT For the Professional Graduate Diploma Education (PGDE), you will study the following modules: • PGDE (Primary) Curriculum (core, 40 credits) • PGDE (Primary) School Experience (core, 40 credits) Plus: • PGDE School & Professional Studies (L10) (optional, 40 credits) Or: • PGDE School & Professional Studies (L11) (optional, 40 credits) ASSESSMENT METHOD The PGDE Primary programme is an intense course, comprising 18 weeks of university teaching and 18 weeks of placement in primary schools. The main pedagogy is interactive lectures and workshops. Collaborative tasks and group learning are integral to the programme. ASSESSMENT The module Primary Curriculum is assessed by both examination and assignment. The module School Experience is assessed based on the GTCS Standards for Provisional Registration. The module School and Professional Studies is assessed by assignment.