Meet our Education students

The support from tutors on the PGDE was excellent. The rigorous, honest and constructive feedback during placements I found really supportive.

My main highlight from the course has definitely been the placements I have embarked on. Each year you feel yourself growing in strength and actually envisaging yourself as a teacher.

The BSc course has been fantastic for my development and I would recommend this pathway to anyone. My only reservations were over my own suitability for university-level education given that I had left school at just 17. I lacked confidence in myself but since entering the course I have never looked back, achieving highly during my first year.

I’ve been really lucky to learn from some fantastic tutors who have a vast range of experience in primary education and also in research. Teachers have provided immense support for all of us.

It won’t surprise you that there will be some challenges along the way, but just make the most of every moment and never give up! The level of maths is challenging but if you use the lecturers and the maths skills centre for help you will feel a lot better.

This course has shown me how I can look at education in a different perspective than other educators, people may think that education and learning can just be found in a formal school setting, but education can be found almost anywhere – if you know how to look for it.

It may seem scary, and it is a big decision to make...but so worth it! Prepare for a difficult year, but with the level of support you'll get from your tutors and friends, you'll be sorted!

I also consider teaching an extraordinary opportunity to influence the world positively. There are more than enough physicists all around the world, but the lack of physics teachers is a problem almost everywhere.

If you're looking to get into teaching, I'd say go for it. I feel it's prepared me well for my upcoming probation year. 

My personal experience on placement was an overwhelmingly positive one. It's a 9-5 all-consuming experience and involves a lot of work both in school and at home. But it was a totally rewarding experience and confirmed my dream of wanting to become a teacher.

I believe education is a gift and a privilege that everyone must have access to. As a teacher I facilitate that process and make learning accessible through ideas that are fun and engaging. When I relocated to Scotland from Singapore in 2017, it became apparent that I had to undergo a PGDE to continue doing what I loved doing.

To be honest, I heard great things about the teachers who run the modern languages department, Kandi, Gillian, and Alan. I also heard of the great reputation of the university, therefore when I was asked to go for interviews to other universities, once I knew I was accepted for Strathclyde there was no other option for me, my decision was made.

I started reflecting and realised that what I really like is to think philosophically about life and transmit this knowledge to others. This was evident in the way I train or teach newcomers in the companies that I was working. I felt that helping others acquire skills which they needed in order to succeed was meaningful. I felt like being their teacher.

For me, the best part of the PGDE was being able to gain real experience on placements. It could be quite challenging, especially at the beginning, but as the course progressed I gained experience and understood better what was expected and how I could achieve this.

When I was seriously considering all the hoops I had to jump through to go into teaching, there were points where I felt I was too far into my career to make the change. If you're passionate about young people, and inspiring the next generation, make the change. It is never too late to think about teaching! We all bring different talents, abilities, life experiences to the table.

My first German teacher had a lasting impression on me. She was full of energy and enthusiasm; as well as being a master of her subject. I was utterly enthralled from start to finish: I aim to be equally as memorable!

The placements have definitely been the best part about the whole course. Getting to meet all the pupils and build relationships with them have cemented just how important it is for young people to get the best chance in education.