About Us
Expertise
The University's programmes, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, are taught at University Campus, Ayr. The School provides a centre of expertise and experience in teaching and learning and reinforces the University's commitment to offering the best possible learning environment for students.
Practical Experience
The practical focus of our programmes means that Education students enjoy hands-on work experience in relevant school settings throughout their studies. Childhood Studies students undertake practical experience each semester and complete a research project in an area linked to their career goals and aspirations. Work based learning allows students of both programmes to put theory into practice in a real-life setting.
The Resources to Succeed
The University ensures that its School of Education students have access to a wide range of progressive teaching and learning facilities, including:
- Dedicated i-Mac Laboratory
- Curricular Resource Centres in Music and Religious Education
- Computer labs offering free Internet and e-mail access
- Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) facilities
A Scottish BEd Qualification
At present, the main purpose of the BEd degree is to prepare appropriately qualified graduates to teach in Scottish schools, through the one-year Induction Scheme after graduating. Since August 2003, a year long salaried teaching position has been guaranteed to BEd graduates of Scottish universities. During this 'Induction' period, fresh graduates receive full support towards achieving the standard for Full Registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland. After completing their induction employment, graduates are very successful in obtaining teaching posts.
Additionally, a Scottish BEd is a highly regarded qualification for teaching in the rest of the UK, other English speaking countries, or schools elsewhere using English as the language of instruction. For example, recent BEd graduates have gained employment in countries such as Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Japan and New Zealand.
Scottish PGDE Qualifications
The School also offers the one-year PGDE qualification for initial teacher education. This is available both for those who wish to become primary teachers and those who wish to become secondary teachers. As with the BEd degree, successful completion of a PGDE programme enables appropriately qualified graduates to enter the one-year Induction Scheme in Scottish schools. Like the BEd, Scottish PGDEs are also highly regarded qualifications for teaching beyond Scotland.
"After completing an HNC in Childcare and Education at Kilmarnock College, I applied to the BA Childhood Studies at the University.
I had always been interested in working with children and the course sounded perfect. Part of the degree involved undertaking practical work experience. My research project was undertaken in an after-school care centre, where I carried out research on children's motivation levels during play in after-school care. It was through a contact I made while there, that I found out about the opportunities within One Plus. One Plus is a vibrant and innovative lone parent organisation which works to deliver and develop services, training and employment within local communities to tackle the issues facing one-parent families.
My current role as a Trainer/Assessor involves planning and delivering training sessions to SVQ ll Early Years candidates. It is a challenging environment to work in, but I love it. As my career develops, I'm hoping to progress within One Plus."
Lori Fox BA Childhood Studies