Primary Education

Degree and UCAS code

This degree programme qualifies you to teach children aged 3-12 years.

What will I study?

You will take the following courses in years 1 and 2:

• Educational Values form the backbone of the degree structure. In year 1 you will take courses in Educational Values for the Self and Educational Values for Self, School and Society with a focus on the child. In year 2 you will take courses in Educational Values for the Teacher and Educational Values through the Curriculum. Embedded within these courses will be opportunities for undertaking serial field experiences and block field experiences.
• Learning How to Learn and Learning How Others Learn are aimed at developing your academic and communication skills along with your intellectual abilities in order to fully engage in your coursework.
• You will select a Liberal Arts elective in year 1 and year 2. These will allow you to study a broader range of disciplines and contribute to your own professional and intellectual development.
• You will also study a course in Religious Education. This course is rooted in the traditions of Catholic Christianity with a focus in years 1 and 2 on the study of theology.

In years 3 and 4 you will be involved in developing your skills and abilities as an emerging professional committed to lifelong development through overarching courses on Curriculum Development, Educational Change and The Emerging Enquiring Professional.

Field experience
This involves developing an awareness of all aspects of the work and organisation of the primary school. At least 32 weeks of the four-year programme will be spent working in schools. This will take the form of single or serial days in the early stages of the programme and will develop into block placements of several weeks in schools.  Ultimately, you will take responsibility for a considerable part of the work of a class.

You will have the opportunity to undertake placements in all stages of the primary school and also in a nursery school. In fourth year, you will be able to choose the stage for your placement. Additionally, you will be developing your knowledge and understanding of how schools, as organisations, are managed and operate.  School experience is central to the programme and provides a focus for the various areas of the programme.

How will I learn?

Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, small group tutorials and seminars and you will develop understanding, skills and expertise in working in the school classroom through school experience. You will have the opportunity to teach at the various levels within a primary school. School experience occurs in every year of the programme. You will spend the equivalent of one academic year working in schools.

Special features

• This programme leads to registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
• Religious and moral education is a key component in primary education in Scotland in all schools. Catholic students who complete the appropriate course in Religious Education will be awarded the Catholic Teacher’s Certificate in Religious Education.

Notes

• The Scottish Government expects the University to provide adequate numbers of teachers to teach in Catholic schools in Scotland. This particular programme provides support for, and emphasis on, the initial teacher education of those who intend to teach in Catholic schools. The design of the programme necessarily reflects the denominational sector requirements and prospective applicants should consider this before applying. Applications from all qualified candidates are welcomed. In the selection procedures for interview, priority is given to those who indicate, in their personal statement, their intention to teach in Catholic schools and to seek the Catholic Teacher’s Certificate in Religious Education.
  
• As part of our selection process you will be interviewed. Interviews normally begin in mid to late January and run until April.

Disclosure Scotland

If you are accepted to a teaching degree you must undertake a Criminal Conviction check prior to enrolment. It is your responsibility to pay for the check. Details will be sent to you.

Entry requirements

Typical offer

• Highers: AAB/ABBB
• A-levels: BBB

Full details of Entry requirements: Education

What are my career prospects?

Home/EU graduates are eligible for one year’s induction experience in a Scottish primary school. It is expected that there will be an increasing demand for new entrants to the teaching profession in primary schools in Scotland and elsewhere. Once in the profession, promotion will be determined by your professionalism, enthusiasm, continued professional development and willingness to take on more responsibility. Opportunities exist for career progression within schools and more widely in posts such as HM inspector and education adviser.

Application procedure

You should apply through UCAS if you are interested in any of the faculty’s undergraduate degree programmes.

If you wish to talk to someone before applying for the programme, please contact

Vanessa Loison
Admissions Secretary
Faculty of Education - ITE Office
University of Glasgow
St Andrew's Building
11 Eldon Street
Glasgow G3 6NH

Tel: 0141 3302463
Fax: 0141 330 3065
email: admissions@educ.gla.ac.uk