Program Overview
The Secondary Art and Design at Birmingham City University is a Postgraduate Certificate programme in Arts & Design over 12 months, delivered On-campus. This programme equips graduates with advanced knowledge and practical skills for professional and academic careers in the field.
Students gain a rigorous grounding in both the theoretical foundations and applied dimensions of arts & design. The programme combines coursework, research components, and practical projects that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and specialist expertise relevant to industry and research needs.
Graduates of the Secondary Art and Design programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, government, and the private sector across United Kingdom and internationally. The programme provides an internationally recognised qualification within the Bologna higher education framework.
Key Program Features
- Duration: 12 months
- Language of instruction: English
- Study mode: On-campus
- Tuition: GBP 12,000 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 9,250 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
- Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Secondary Art and Design programme are prepared for diverse careers in arts & design:
- Creative Director
- Graphic / UX Designer
- Art Director
- Curator
- Visual Artist
- Media Producer
Program Curriculum
This postgraduate course takes place over one year full-time. Note that all PGCE with QTS courses commence teaching in the first week of September.
Central to the curriculum is the study of Art and Design education, pedagogy and professional practice, which is delivered using a combination of creative practical workshops, lectures, seminar groups and individual study.
At least two thirds of the course takes place within school. You will be placed in a minimum of two Art departments. The Birmingham City University Partnership includes a range of established and new Art Departments selected for their capacity to provide development opportunities for trainee Art and Design teachers.
Your first placement is usually paired, you and your partner will teach up to 50 per cent of the timetable in Art and Design. The second school placement is a solo one and you will be expected to teach up to 66 per cent of an Art and Design timetable.
In addition, you will complete a research phase and visit a number of galleries in the region, with whom we have developed strong partnerships.
You will be assigned school-based mentors while on placement, who will support and guide your work, as well as provide training feedback.
Assignments and school-based practice are Master's-level modules. These provide the necessary practical and critical thinking skills which will unlock your potential to become an outstanding teacher and a reflective practitioner. Your work is assessed through a range of directed tasks and targeted assignments. You are also required to complete a profile of evidence reflective of your creative practice in school placements. Your evidence is based on your creative interpretation of the Teachers’ Standards and will lead to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Lead school partners
The lead school partner approach enables multi-academy trusts, or groups of schools, to offer teacher education courses offered in collaboration with a university partner. You may prefer to apply to a lead school partner if, for example, the range of schools where you could be placed for your teaching practice, better suits your circumstances. You spend the same amount of time on school placements and will study on campus with us for most if not all your taught sessions. You will also have the same access to a personal development tutor and all the resources we offer.
Our lead school partners for this PGCE Secondary course are (see links for details such as location maps and contact details):
Placement locations
Our students are asked to complete some forms for placements around whether they will be living, access to private transport etc., however, you must be prepared to travel around 90 minutes. Where you have one placement that is around this 90-minute mark, we will always try to make your other placement much closer for you, depending on availability.
For PGCE Secondary courses, we have over 100 placement providers across 14 local authorities including:
- Birmingham
- City of Wolverhampton
- Coventry
- Derby City
- Derbyshire
- Dudley
- Leicester City
- Sandwell
- Solihull
- Staffordshire
- Telford and Wrekin
- Walsall
- Warwickshire
- Worcestershire
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
UK students
EssentialYou must have a good degree (minimum 2:2 but 2:1 or 1st preferred) from a UK higher education institution or equivalent in Art and Design or an art-related subject.
You must also have a GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in both English language and mathematics prior to enrolment.
If you do not already have GCSEs in English language and mathematics, or their equivalent, and are not registered to take them, you should visit\xc2\xa0Equivalency Testing.
It should be noted that applicants taking the equivalency tests need to have passed prior to enrolment.
For entry onto a teaching course from September 2014 you will also be required to pass the\xc2\xa0Skills Tests in Literacy and Numeracy
Pre-Interview School Experience
For secondary teacher training there is an expectation that you will have had some general experience of working with secondary age students in a school setting.
In preparation for the selection interview stage of the recruitment process you are required to engage in a teaching episode, observed by an experienced qualified teacher.
It will support your application to undertake this teaching episode prior to application and in advance of your interview.
Please read our\xc2\xa0guidance document\xc2\xa0before downloading the\xc2\xa0Pre-Interview School Experience Report\xc2\xa0which you will need the qualified teacher observing you to complete.
Selection Interview
At interview you will also need to present a portfolio of personal work which should include a selection of work completed before, during and after your degree.
The selection interview will assess your subject knowledge and personal qualities such as the potential to relate well to secondary age students, enthusiasm, sensitivity, communication skills and robustness and resilience for teaching.
You will also take a written test to assess your standard of English.
Applicants must meet The National College for Teaching and Leadership requirements for Initial Teacher Training, which means being medically fit and successfully completing an enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 12,000 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 9,250 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
Tuition fees: GBP 12,000 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 9,250 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Contact Birmingham City University directly for scholarship, grant, and financial aid information for this programme. Many European universities offer merit-based and need-based funding for international and domestic students.
About Birmingham City University
Birmingham City University
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Birmingham City University is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields....
University Profile- Application Deadline 2015-01-18
- Start Date 2018-09-01
- Language English
- Duration 12 months