Secondary Initial Teacher Education Art and Design with QTS

The Secondary Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is a one academic year (36- week) course that trains graduates to become secondary school Art and Design teachers.

The PGCE course has been designed to train you to practise as a subject specialist teacher for the secondary age range (11-16), and during the course you'll be assessed according to the standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Our students will often gain experience of the 16-18 age range too, although they won't be formally assessed in this phase.

There are many benefits to teaching and learning in art and design. These undoubtedly include facilitating students' personal progress and enjoyment of the subject while encouraging them to express themselves in class. We might add the potential to both celebrate local and global visual culture, and provide talented graduates to the UK creative industries. Arguably, good art and design education goes even further, stretching students to ask themselves powerful questions that spark their inquisition and providing opportunity to respond critically to the world.

On this course, you'll learn how to confidently deliver a range of technical artistic media, from chemical photography to conceptual sculpture. You'll actively encounter strategies that enable young learners to look, think, and speak about art and design in ways that are relevant to them, and we'll explore the concept of the creative process in depth. You'll be encouraged to read, to debate and think deeply about the means and purpose of delivering inclusive art education that encourages learners to think independently and empowers them to actively shape their own lives.

You'll explore all aspects of secondary art education practice though varied input from specialist tutors, academics, school-based mentors, gallery educationists, and technicians. Our strong links to local arts organisations, innovative visiting practitioners, and our own fantastic facilities mean we're well equipped to prepare you for your career as a practising contemporary art and design educator.

Find out why you should train to teach with us.

For more information, including the most up to date module listing, see the entry for this course on the UWE Bristol website, by clicking on the ‘Visit website’ button located further down this page.