Secondary Teaching Design & Technology with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - BSc (Hons)

What Makes This Course So Special?

This course equips you to become a confident, broad subject knowledge based and innovative teacher. The BSc (Hons) Design and Technology with QTS qualifies you to teach at all levels and is recognised throughout the world.
It is one of the few D &T courses that provide teaching modules in all areas of Design and Technology i.e. product design, food, systems, textiles, materials and graphics. Hence, employability rates for successful student teachers are very high.

Course Intro

This degree will give you the ability to encourage creativity and innovation in secondary school learners. You will spend a significant part of the course in two secondary schools gaining practical experience of teaching D&T. The degree is taught in English, but, if you are fluent in Welsh you may undertake school experience in a Welsh-medium school.

You also have the opportunity to take the Workshop Health and Safety Certificate and Health and Hygiene level 2 and gain accreditation in school-based ICT packages including ProDesktop, Artcam & SpeedStep.

We have an established reputation for the quality of our training and this has been recognised in the last Estyn inspection where the top rating was awarded for support and guidance .

What you study

Year 1
• Workshop Skills - woods, metals and plastics
• Design - how design is taught in schools
• Subject Knowledge - textiles, food, systems
• Teaching Studies - education and subject application. As part of the teaching studies programme you will spend ten days in primary and secondary schools

Year 2
• Advanced Workshop Skills - including food, textiles and materials
• Computer Based Design - 2D and 3D
• Computer Aided Learning - focus on systems
• Teaching Studies including a fully supported block school placement of approximately 7 weeks

Year 3
• Final project in your area of expertise
• Dissertation
• Teaching Studies including a fully supported school placement of approximately 15 weeks

In Wales, you do not have to take the National Skills tests to be recommended for the award of QTS.

A programme specification is available for this course.

Where Next?

On qualification, you may apply for teaching posts both within the UK and, after successful completion of your induction year, worldwide.
Graduates can expect excellent career prospects and rapid career progression. Graduates can progress to a range of educational Masters qualifications.

Interview Required

Yes. A sample portfolio of applicants’ design and technology related work would be an advantage.

Assessment

Assessment is mainly coursework, with essay based exams in the first year. Practical teaching will be assessed in relation to the Professional Standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status.

Student Soundbite

“My subject skills continue to improve throughout the course. My level of confidence rises with each new project.”

Experiences Gained

Student Successes

Facilities

Teaching Team

Course Costs

A unique feature of our undergraduate Design and Technology teaching degrees is the experience you will get across the different subject areas. These are, resistant materials, textiles, food technology, systems and control and product design. Extensive project work provides the framework for most of the modules of study.

Collaboration with external organisations are also a strong feature. By becoming actively involved you will broaden your knowledge and experiences which will enable you as a student teacher to confidently support local schools and organisations with their STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) activities. Collaborative activities include :
• working alongside Welsh Water to design and produce models and materials for their Education Centre;
• workshops with the Smallpeice Trust to create mini wind turbines and to disseminate into schools;
• hosting a workshop for four local schools to support the Engineering Education Scheme Wales;
• hosting a 'Wood Futures' conference organised by the Forestry Commission;
• involvement with the F1 in schools competition.
There will be an opportunity to gain the Workshop Health & Safety Certificate, gain accreditation in school-based ICT packages including ProDesktop, Artcam and Speedstep. You will also have the opportunity to take the European Computer Driving Licence.
Careful consideration is given to the distinctive nature of education in Wales and Y Cwricwlwm Cymreig and, if you are Welsh-speaking, you have the opportunity to undertake your school placement in a Welsh medium school.

BSc Secondary (Hons) Design & Technology with QTS (3 years): On leaving school Keiran took an engineering apprenticeship where he gained invaluable knowledge and transferable skills that have helped within the workshop and classroom. He then took a post as a teaching assistant as a stepping stone into teaching. Keiran graduated in 2009 and is now teaching in a secondary school in Newport. So what does Keiran enjoy as a D & T teacher?

"The initial ideas that pupils' come up with are outstanding. Creativeness and unrestricted designing is a sign that pupils' understand what is wanted from them - and that they are not afraid to put their thoughts on paper. And then of course the practical work is great fun." As for recommending training at Newport he says, "you couldn't find a friendlier or more helpful bunch of lecturers or technicians anywhere else. The workshop is always open, PC's and software needed for the course are always accessible and up to date and the laser cutter is a great help with producing quality work - fast."

BSc Secondary Design & Technology with QTS (2 years): This is an excellent route into teaching for career changers. Wendy Heath, who graduated in 2009 explains:

"There were a number of factors that helped me decide to train as a teacher, the major ones being that my HNC in Building Studies gave me the 120 Higher Education credits needed to train in 2 years in a subject I really enjoyed. I had always felt I would like to teach but the thing that held me back the most was no degree and I didn't believe enough in myself to take a 3 year degree course and then a PGCE.

The Teaching Taster Day was a vital factor in helping me decide whether the course was right for me. The chance to visit a school and see what D and T was all about was extremely important. The subject has evolved considerably since I was in school.

The electronics part of the course was the area where I knew least but I was willing to learn and found it extremely interesting. I have always been a practical person and love making all sorts of things so the other areas of the course caused no problems.

The course has played a big part in developing confidence as I have had to make myself carry out tasks that I would normally shy away from, such as standing up in front of a group of people and talking to them!

The lecturers are very helpful and approachable and I'm extremely lucky to be in a group with excellent peer support. We cover a wide age range in our year group but this doesn't seem to cause any barriers. Their positive attitudes help considerably, both lecturers and peers alike. This course offers a brilliant opportunity for mature students to change career in a relatively short space of time.”

Design and Technology workshops, dedicated computer suite with specialist software.

Alan Rowse
Bilhar Lehal
Dr Ceri Pugh
Tim Trimarco - Principle Technician

Mandatory Items	Costs
Registrations / memberships / awards / CRB checks	CRB Check Where there is a requirement for students to undergo a CRB check, this will cost £44.00.
Other	£Variable Travelling Expenses Block School Experience - Bursary of £1,200* towards any BSE costs *Subject to annual review
Optional Items	Costs
Other	£0 – 100 (for Specialist materials and learning resources including books, journals and other resources – optional) Health and Hygiene Level 2 Certification: £15 currently Health and Safety in the workshop: £25 currently

Year of Entry

September 2013

(also available for September 2012 entry)

Course Code

X1WG - BSc (Hons) Secondary D & T (3 years)

Duration

3 years full-time

Normally, student teachers either attend the University or are on school placement 5 days a week.

Entry Requirements

• Minimum 240 UCAS points (including 180 from
2 A levels or equivalent including C grade or
above in D&T or related subject).

* If you already have at least 120 credits at HE level 4 in a related subject(s), you may apply for direct entry into Year 2 of the course.
• GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent) in mathematics and English language*
• 1 week’s observation in a primary school and 1 week in a secondary school – this may be completed before or after the interview
• Interview
• CRB check and Health Declaration

*Suitable candidates who do not have these qualifications may take the University’s written equivalency tests in either or both subjects.