Frequently Asked Questions
Please note the School of Education and Lifelong Learning will not be recruiting any more undergraduate students from 2009. For more information please see the main Undergraduate home page
- Will this programme qualify me to teach?
- Will I be guaranteed a place on the Exeter PGCE programme?
- What if I don’t want to teach?
- Will I get work experience?
- Can I combine my studies with another subject?
- Is any Financial Support available?
Will this programme qualify me to teach?
No, this course does not provide QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), which is necessary to teach in schools. Both of the programmes leave you well placed to enrol on a PGCE for either Primary or Early Years. The PGCE is a one year teacher training programme that provides QTS. Currently, the government offers financial incentives to encourage students to follow the 3-year degree plus PGCE route into teaching – your LEA will contribute a minimum of £1,200 towards the PGCE tuition fee and the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) will pay you a £6,000 PGCE training salary.
Will I be guaranteed a place on the Exeter PGCE programme?
Although will not be guaranteed a place on the Exeter PGCE programme, you will be guaranteed an interview for the programme, providing you meet certain eligibility criteria. Visit our 'Jobs after Graduating' pages for further information.
What if I don’t want to teach?
Teaching is just one of the many career options available to our graduates. Our programme will prepare you for a range of careers such as:
- youth and social work;
- organiser of education programmes for arts, leisure, museums and environmental centres;
- social, developmental and educational research;
- management positions in local education authorities, nursery or day-care centres;
plus the transferable skills needed for employment in business and commerce.
Will I get work experience?
Yes. Throughout both courses, students have opportunities for field visits and workbased placements. This could be at a school, youth centre, heritage site, museum, or learning centres. In Year 3, you can choose to undertake a work placement, as part of the ‘Learning From Experience’ module. You choose the setting for this placement with advice and guidance from your module tutor. You are expected to undertake the placement for a minimum of 80 hours – how these 80 hours are organised is negotiated between you, your module tutor and the work place setting.
Can I combine my studies with another subject?
Yes. This programme is part of the Flexible Combined Honours programme, whereby you can take modules from another School or Department and work towards a Combined Honours degree. There is a great deal of flexibility in designing a bespoke course to meet your interests and career goals. However, when choosing to combine modules from another subject area you will need to meet the relevant entry requirements, therefore some limitations may apply.
You are also allowed to take up to 30 credits at each stage outside of your degree programme. By opting to take an ‘elective’ in Education Studies or Childhood and Youth Studies you may be able to strengthen an application for a PGCE here or at another university.
Is any Financial Support available?
Yes. A wide range of financial support is available from both the University of Exeter and the Government to make sure that you can afford to study no matter what your circumstances or background. With a range of bursaries and scholarships available alongside financial advice and guidance from trained experts, the University of Exeter ensures that you get all the support you need. Find out more on our Money Matters pages.