You will gain a teaching qualification and develop transferable skills such as professional conduct, innovative thinking and independent learning, which will prepare you for the role of the primary teacher. To enrich your learning experience and provide you with a broad knowledge base, you will also choose additional courses from the other disciplines available at the campus.

School experience

This element of the programme aims to develop your awareness of all aspects of the work and organisation of a primary school. You will start with one day per week in semester 1 of year 1, building to a ten-week block in year 4 when you will take full responsibility for the class for a minimum of four of those weeks – an excellent preparation for your career as a primary teacher.

Year 1
You will take the following core courses:
•    Child development 1
•    Maths: theory and pedagogy 1
•    Text and communication
•    Literacy 1.

There are two school experience placements in your first year:
•    One day a week for a minimum of six weeks (semester 1)
•    Four full weeks in middle primary (P4/5) (semester 2).

Year 2
You will take the following core courses:
•    Child development 2
•    Maths: theory and pedagogy 2
•    Issues in contemporary society
•    Literacy 2.

There are three school experience placements in your second year:
•    Three full weeks in pre-five sector (prior to semester 1)
•    One day per week for four weeks, linked to Child development 2 (semester 2)
•    Four full weeks (semester 2).

Year 3
You will take the following core courses:
•    Maths: theory and pedagogy 3
•    Literacy 3
•    Curriculum and assessment
•    Teachers and teaching.

The Level-2 elective course chosen in year 2 will be continued this year at Level-3.

There are two school experience placements in your third year:
•    Four full weeks focusing on religious and moral education (prior to semester 1)
•    Four full weeks focusing on expressive arts (semester 2).

Year 4
You will take the following core courses:
•    Education in its wider context
•    The teacher as a professional.

You will also undertake a dissertation of 10,000 words on a topic chosen by you and approved by your tutor.

Your school experience placement will be ten full weeks in semester 2 and will focus on science. You will take full responsibility for the class for a minimum of four weeks.

Primary teaching is a highly valued, people-centred profession. Primary teachers not only contribute to the education and development of their pupils but also make a wider contribution to schools and local communities. The qualification is transferable, enabling you to teach outside Scotland too.

After qualification, you are guaranteed one full year of employment to complete your probationary period. (Conditions apply. See www.gtcs.org.uk/home/students/teacher-induction-scheme-faq.aspx for more information.) Thereafter, continuing professional development is supported by employers and other course providers. There are opportunities for development in leadership and management, specialist subject study areas and further postgraduate study and research.

The programme works in partnership with Dumfries & Galloway Council.