PGCE Technology and Design with Engineering and Manufacturing Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE)

The post primary PGCE is a one year, full-time programme that prepares students for a career in teaching. This course will prepare you to teach Technology & Design to the full range of pupils in post primary schools. It is offered at the Coleraine campus with additional subject workshops in partnership with the Education Authority in their purpose-built facilities in Belfast.

You will acquire knowledge and skills in those areas of Technology and Design in which you may have had little or no experience, e.g. CAD, Electronic Systems, PCB production, Pneumatic Control Systems, Graphics and Computer Control Systems. While practical in nature, you will draw on knowledge gained from the other areas of the course and at all times, apply these skills in the classroom. As an aspiring professional, you will be expected to be self-motivated and to take the initiative in managing your own professional development. In your school placements you will be expected to prioritize pupil learning and develop your teaching strategies accordingly. Elements of the course are taught at Masters level and you will be expected to support your development with a detailed understanding of current research and literature in teaching, learning and Technology and Design. You will be assessed through a variety of means including e-portfolio, essays, observations and tests.

“The Northern Ireland Curriculum aims to empower young people to achieve their potential and to make informed and responsible decisions throughout their lives.” The overall aim of our PGCE programme at Ulster is to support this aim and to foster the development of pedagogical competences in the following three areas: - Professional Values and Practice; Professional Knowledge and Understanding and Professional Skills and Application. To achieve these aims the PGCE post-primary programme at Ulster University prepares student teachers to be competent in the following: - the ability to plan, teach and assess worthwhile learning activities in their subject area(s) in post-primary schools in Northern Ireland for the 11-18 age group; - the acquisition of the knowledge, understanding and skills that are essential for the promotion of learning among pupils; - to assume responsibility for developing as competent reflective practitioners, able to monitor and evaluate their teaching performance; - to realise a commitment to on-going personal and professional development in pursuit of sustained pupil learning and school improvement.

An Honours degree, in a technology related subject. In the case of a combined Honours degree at least 50% shall be in the specialist subject. The normal minimum offer standard is a 2:2 Honours. Applications are welcomed from engineers (electrical, mechanical, civil), product designers, and architects; and also from quantity surveyors, graphic and interior designers whose applications are supported by relevant A level (or equivalent) subjects.