Art and Design (PGCE)

Award
Postgraduate Certificate in Education
Typical Offer
2:2 degree View full entry requirements
Duration
1 year
Course Type
Full-time
Campus
Highfield
Next course starts
September 2025

About this course

Gain the knowledge and skills to be a fully qualified teacher of art and design on this PGCE Secondary course at the University of Southampton. You’ll divide your time between school placements and the University as you develop the theory and techniques to teach the subject to all secondary school pupils. With this qualification you'll be able to work in academy, state-maintained, independent and special schools in England and Wales.

This Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) course will prepare you to teach young people aged 11 to 16 within the UK’s National Curriculum for Art and Design framework (Key Stages 3 and 4). 

You’ll also get the chance to learn about teaching the subject to students aged 16 to 19. 

As you build on your existing knowledge of art and design, you’ll learn teaching theory and the  techniques for helping young people to: 

  • express their ideas in creative works 
  • develop their ability in drawing, painting, sculpture and other techniques 
  • evaluate creative works using the language of art, craft and design 
  • learn about great artists, craft-makers and designers 
  • understand the historical and cultural development of art forms 

Through university sessions and placement practice you’ll also learn essential skills such as: 

  • managing the classroom 
  • monitoring and assessing pupils 
  • teaching inclusively 

You'll put theory into practice through placements at 2 schools in or near Southampton. You'll spend at least 120 days on placement, observing lessons and working with small groups of young people. When you are ready, you’ll then be introduced to whole-class teaching. You’ll have the support of a school-based mentor throughout this time. 

The rest of your time will be spent at the University, where we'll prepare you for your placements, evaluate your school-based work, and develop subject-specific skills and good practice. You'll spend some of your time at Winchester School of Art, our art and design institution. 

Talk to a tutor

Looking for more information? Send your question to one of our PGCE tutors.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course lead

Your course leader is Susan Fishlock, a Senior Teaching Fellow in the Southampton Education School. She has a background teaching Art and Design in secondary schools, most recently in a school within the city. Read Susan's staff profile to find out more about her work.

Accreditations

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.