Birmingham City University Faculty of Education
We are a leading provider of education training in the Midlands ranked
highly in league tables for teacher training. Praised by our students
and Ofsted for our caring and approachable attitude to learning and development,
we know that whatever your ultimate aim we will cater for your needs in
a stimulating, supportive and inspiring environment. Our students are
employed or gain employment in Further Education Colleges, Secondary Schools,
Primary Schools and Nursery Schools and Units.
We strive to provide the best levels of service for our students, have top quality resources, an open door approach to queries and a strong lecturing team who are dedicated and contemporary in their practical and developmental experiences. We have strong professional links with schools, colleges and training organisations across the West Midlands. The partnerships developed support a wide range of training placements with teachers and lecturers playing a full part in the training process.
History of the Faculty
The
Faculty of Education can trace its roots back to three distinct Colleges:
Anstey College of Physical Education
Bordesley College of Education and
City of Birmingham College of Education
Anstey College specialised in training women PE teachers and Bordesley
College offered teacher training to mature female students. The City of
Birmingham College offered primary and secondary teacher training. The
three Colleges became part of Birmingham Polytechnic in 1975. The Westbourne Rd. Campus accommodated staff
from all three Colleges when the Anstey and Bordesley sites were closed
for teacher training. In September, 2001, the faculty moved into Attwood
Building on the Perry Barr Campus, now called City North Campus.
The School of Primary and Early Years Education
This School offers undergraduate and postgraduate initial teacher training courses in early years and primary teaching. The BA (Hons) Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is the largest course in the Faculty. Nearly seven hundred students are enrolled on this full time, three year course. If you are a graduate looking to qualify as a primary or an early years teacher we offer a one year full-time PGCE course in Early Years and a one year full-time and a two year part-time PGCE course in Primary.
In addition to our teacher training programmes the School also offers undergraduate programmes in Early Years, Early Childhood Education Studies, Education Studies and in Children and Integrated Professional Care. If you have an interest in working with Foundation Stage children aged between three and five years old the BA Honours Early Childhood Education Studies course will enable you to progress your career. This course can be studied on a three year, full time basis or, if you have already gained an HND in Early Childhood Studies or equivalent qualification you can apply to the BA Honours Early Childhood Education Studies top up degree course. This can be studied as a one year, full time or two years part-time basis. We also offer a part-time, top up degree course in Education Studies providing a progression route to degree level for students with an Education related HND or Foundation Degree. Our brand new BA Honours Children and Integrated Professional Care course, which is due to start in 2009 is aimed at individuals interested in gaining an in-depth understanding of the multi-disciplinary approach to the care and education of children today.
We have been awarded a Grade 1 by Ofsted for Quality of Training and Management and Quality Assurance (2008) and we are a TDA Category A provider of primary teacher training.
- Foundation Degree in Early Years
- BA (Hons) Children and Integrated Professional Care
- BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education Studies (Top Up)
- BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education Studies (3 Year)
- BA (Hons) Education Studies (Top Up)
- BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS
- PGCE Early Years
- PGCE Primary
- PGCE Primary Part Time
The School of Secondary & Post Compulsory Education and Training
We
offer courses in secondary teacher training in Art and Design, Mathematics,
Music, Instrumental Music, Design & Technology: Food and Textiles
and Drama. We have been awarded a Grade 1 by Ofsted for Quality of Training and Management
and Quality Assurance (2008) and we are a TDA Category A provider of secondary teacher training. There are excellent incentives being offered
by the Training and Development Agency (TDA) and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) to attract graduates into areas of teacher shortage such as mathematics.
These incentives include extra cash during training, ‘golden hellos’
on taking up a first post and possibly even having student loans paid
off over a period of years. We also offer two Standards Verification UK (SVUK) endorsed courses of training for teachers in the area of post-compulsory education and training. The PGCE Post-compulsory Education and Training, which is a full time course, qualifies staff to teach in further education, adult education or training organisations. The Diploma in Professional Studies in Post-compulsory Education and Training is a part-time course over two years. There are a number of bursaries available from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) to support new teachers in the post-compulsory sector, and parts of the tuition fees for PCET training courses are normally paid by the Local Authority.
The school is also lucky to have a thriving Master's level programme where
students combine modules that suit their interests. Many teachers choose
to combine classroom based research and Master's level study, often with
the help of a bursary or with support from their employer.
- Diploma in Professional Studies – Post Compulsory Education and Training
- PGCE Secondary - Art & Design
- PGCE Secondary - Design & Technology
- PGCE Secondary - Drama
- PGCE Secondary - Instrumental Music
- PGCE Secondary - Maths
- PGCE Secondary - Music - Full-Time Route
- PGCE Secondary - Music - Part-Time Route
- PGCE Post Compulsory Education and Training
- PGCert/PGDip/MA in Education
Study and Work Experience Abroad
The Faculty offers students a range of opportunities to study and gain work experience overseas. These include ERASMUS funded visits, fully funded teaching experience in India and Sri Lanka and self funded visits to South Africa.