Secondary Design and Technology PGCE

UCAS code K506

Duration

9 Months

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Inspire the designers and makers of the future by teaching pupils how to solve real problems and create their own products.

You will be exploring innovative classroom projects and introducing young people to new materials and technologies. Our Secondary Design and Technology PGCE will also equip you with strategies to become a confident and successful teacher across KS3 and KS4.

You’ll spend time in local schools, plan engaging lessons, cover behaviour management techniques and discover how pupils learn. On campus, we’ll help you reflect on your teaching from a subject-specific perspective and give you one-to-one support.

But you’ll get far more than just a teacher training qualification with us. As part of our Institute of Education, you’ll have access to the latest research on what works in the classroom and other evidence-based approaches.

For the PGCE, you will be guided at interview to specialise in one of two GCSE pathways. You can focus on a Design and Technology route which includes resistant materials, textiles and electronics. Alternatively, you can choose food preparation and nutrition.

Trainees also gain an understanding of the broader responsibilities of a D&T teacher within the general school community. The course covers health and safety training as well, such as D&T Association accreditation and food and hygiene certification.

From getting the most out of your induction to tips on teaching your first lesson, your personal tutor will be there to support you every step of the way. We have also developed a close partnership with school-based mentors for your placements.

You will develop a strong foundation for curriculum development and how to plan activities at the forefront of technological education.

After you pass your PGCE, you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). But the support doesn’t stop there - we’ll even offer you a mock interview in a school to prepare you for job applications.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: PGCE Secondary Design and Technology

Work placements

At the University of Staffordshire, we have partner schools in the Midlands and North West. As well as close links with those in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and Cheshire, we work with schools in Derbyshire, Shropshire and Birmingham.

We will always aim to arrange placements within 40 minutes of where you live.

At University of Staffordshire , we have close links with partner schools across the region. We’ll always aim to arrange placements within 40 minutes of where you live.

Course content

Our PGCE Secondary Design and Technology takes 36 weeks to complete. This school-led course includes a three-week induction to prepare you for your placement and weekly sessions to develop your knowledge of the curriculum.

To give you experience in the classroom, you’ll spend at least 120 days working in two local secondary schools as well as visiting a local primary school. But, don’t worry, you won’t have the pressure of teaching an entire lesson straight away. Your training will begin with observing a teacher and helping with group work. Then you’ll share the classes with the teacher and work towards teaching lessons independently.

Alongside teaching, you’ll join in with day-to-day life at the school. Each school has a professional mentor to help you understand the ethos, pastoral care systems, legal and social framework, and supporting services. You’ll also have weekly meetings with your subject or class mentor to help you prepare for teaching, review lessons, and develop your subject knowledge.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Educational And Professional Issues - Secondary 40 credits
Teaching A Knowledge Rich Curriculum - Secondary 20 credits
Teaching Practice 1 (The Emerging Teacher) - Secondary N/A
Teaching Practice 2 (The Esablished Teacher) - Secondary N/A

Entry requirements

For this course, you need an Honours Degree with at least a 2:2 classification in a Design Technology related degree. This can be linked to one or more of the following areas; 3D design, electronic engineering, product design, food technology or textiles. You will also require a GCSE grade C/4 or above in both English Language and Mathematics, we also expect you to be confident in technology and digital applications. Applicants will be expected to teach across all the aspects of design technology. 

After you apply, we’ll arrange a selection interview. We’ll assess your subject knowledge and personal qualities, such as communication skills, resilience for teaching, and how easy you’ll find it to relate to primary-age students.

If you accept a formal offer, you’ll need to meet the Department for Education’s standards for physical and mental fitness to teach and you’ll need clearance to work with children (Enhanced DBS). The cost of Enhanced DBS is included in your course fee.

The university requires a minimum of IELTS 7, with a minimum score of 6.5 in any one area.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

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Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

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Facilities

The course utilises the University environment for teaching and learning using a variety of classroom spaces.  An online learning environment further supports your learning with additional information and resources for you to engage with.

Libraries

We have Libraries and service desks at both sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford. Our experienced and friendly staff can answer your IT queries, help you to access resources, show you how to research for your assignments and help with referencing.

Careers

All trainees will experience a mock interview to prepare them for teaching interviews. Many trainees get offers of employment at their placement schools. 

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will be taught using a variety of lecturers and workshops. All subject related sessions will be taught in small subject related groups. 

Assessment

A variety of written assignments, presentations and teaching assessments.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
Academic writing (including how to reference)
Research skills
Critical thinking

Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

Students will have individual tutorials to discuss their progress throughout the course. 

Independent learning

Students will be expected to undertake a variety of independent tasks such as reading and lesson planning 

Fees

For the course starting on 8 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,250 per course £16,750 per course
Included in the fees:

If you accept a place with us, we’ll cover the cost of your Enhanced DBS check.
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Scholarships and additional funding

You may be eligible for a bursary or scholarship when training to teach. These are tax-free amounts of money you receive to train in certain subjects. You do not need to pay them back. Your bursary or scholarship will be paid in a minimum of 10 equal monthly installments over the duration of your course by your teacher training provider. Your teacher training provider will confirm the payment dates and amounts. Postgraduate teaching bursaries and scholarships are only available for certain secondary subjects. You cannot receive both a teaching bursary and a scholarship. You must be eligible for student finance to receive a bursary or scholarship (unless you’re training to teach physics or languages). You cannot receive a scholarship or bursary if your teacher training course is salaried.

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus PGCE Full-time 8 September 2025 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations. 

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