Teaching Degree - Depression

stebiz

I have decided to seriously consider going into teaching. I have an interview with a Uni next week. A question. My last degree I paid for in full myself. No student loan or anything. This degree is with QTS and is 2 years in length. Would I be eligible for any help or student loan. It is Full Time?

Regards
Steve

elisebutt65

I think the Student loans company will only fund you for a higher qualification than one you already have -- so if you already have a degree then you can only get funding for a PGCE - I may be wrong and you should really call them as you paid for your last degree yourself.

As you already have a degree, would it not be better to think about one step higher like a masters?

And to go off topic slightly - I have found ONW to be a great source of help and support especially as I qualified in 2008 and have just finished my first year of teaching in the FE sector. I have just been contracted for another 600 hours this year so they obviously like me:D Only problem is that 100 of those hours are Level 4 :eek::eek::eek: Lots of hard work needed now and I'm going to drop my level 1 and 2 stuff so I can concentrate on the HE stuff as well - AND I start doing my Ma part time as well so it's going to be a busy year!

As a new teacher I do advise you to think VERY carefully about teaching though - It has been so stressful this year and I think if I was prone to depression, I may well have cracked - as it is I tend to be very laid back - one of my students said if I was anymore laid back then I might be dead:eek: Not sure whether that was insult or compliment but I did get 100% achievement out of them all;)

Oldernotwiser

stebiz wrote: »

I have decided to seriously consider going into teaching. I have an interview with a Uni next week. A question. My last degree I paid for in full myself. No student loan or anything. This degree is with QTS and is 2 years in length. Would I be eligible for any help or student loan. It is Full Time?

Regards
Steve

If you already have a degree you should be looking at doing a PGCE, not another degree. What degree is it and why are you going this route?

KatieShopstoomuch

My FIL suffers depression and is a primary school teacher, has been for seven years. I do hope you can do it and good luck!

melancholly

CrazyCatLady wrote: »

As I've ALREADY pretty much said, I didn't come on here for careers advice, I already have my eyes wide open, I'm 23 years old, I've worked in schools and taught in prisons, and a lot of my friends are teachers. I know exactly what the score is.

So thanks, but no thanks.

Now can everyone drop it please and get back on topic?

don't post if you're not prepared to get different opinions..... this is an open forum and not a group hug session....

everyone has been polite, maybe a little blunt, but certainly not rude (compared to other boards and certainly the arms). if the posts on here are upsetting, then grow thicker skin before going into teaching!!

i hope it works out - whether you choose to read the posts and take the comments on board is entirely up to you - i would also take advice about what getting into teaching is like now - there has been a huge surge in people qualifying to do it, so experiences of even 3/5 years ago won't reflect what is happening now.

stebiz

Thanks. It is a BSc (Hons) ICT Secondary Education with QTS. It is only a 2 year course. Would this not be the right one to do?? I have seen 1 year courses in the past - but most are over subscribed?

It is for anyone who wants to teach ICT to 11-16 year olds and up to A2/VCE level or equivalent standard. This programme leads to a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status.

Cheers
Stebiz

Oldernotwiser

stebiz wrote: »

Thanks. It is a BSc (Hons) ICT Secondary Education with QTS. It is only a 2 year course. Would this not be the right one to do?? I have seen 1 year courses in the past - but most are over subscribed?

It is for anyone who wants to teach ICT to 11-16 year olds and up to A2/VCE level or equivalent standard. This programme leads to a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status.

Cheers
Stebiz

If you already have a degree in the subject you'd be better doing a PGCE but I imagine this course is for graduates who don't have the academic background to teach ICT but who are needed because it's a shortage subject. Is that the situation?

stebiz

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

If you already have a degree in the subject you'd be better doing a PGCE but I imagine this course is for graduates who don't have the academic background to teach ICT but who are needed because it's a shortage subject. Is that the situation?

Thanks for your help. The situation is that many of the courses are full. My degree is in Business but I have spent the last 7 years - and still am, in the IT field. The only Business Course with QTS, is full until next September, and even then I am not guaranteed to get a place, according to the University concerned. There are a few courses for ICT still available to start but as my qualifications are not 50% in this field I think I would find it difficult to get on one of these courses, unless they let me with my experience?? That leaves me with this 2 year course in ICT, that I feel with my degree already, might persuade the course director to allow me to proceed.

I think what I'm trying to say is that I would happily teach ICT or Business, or both, but am unsure which way to follow. Isn't QTS the same as a PGCE? Please ignore my ignorance but I haven't spoke to anybody about this. As I said in my original post, I did my Degree as a hobby, so have not had any direction in mind.

Cheers
Steve

Oldernotwiser

stebiz wrote: »

Thanks for your help. The situation is that many of the courses are full. My degree is in Business but I have spent the last 7 years - and still am, in the IT field. The only Business Course with QTS, is full until next September, and even then I am not guaranteed to get a place, according to the University concerned. There are a few courses for ICT still available to start but as my qualifications are not 50% in this field I think I would find it difficult to get on one of these courses, unless they let me with my experience?? That leaves me with this 2 year course in ICT, that I feel with my degree already, might persuade the course director to allow me to proceed.

I think what I'm trying to say is that I would happily teach ICT or Business, or both, but am unsure which way to follow. Isn't QTS the same as a PGCE? Please ignore my ignorance but I haven't spoke to anybody about this. As I said in my original post, I did my Degree as a hobby, so have not had any direction in mind.

Cheers
Steve

A PGCE will give you QTS, so in that case they're the same.

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings but nowadays, if you already have a degree, you're likely not to get funding but to have to pay International fees as well. As this course is for a shortage teaching subject then there may be an exception for it so do go ahead with the interview and find out about it.

I'd contact the places offering ICT PGCE courses and see how flexible they can be, based on your employment experience. Unfortunately, during a recession, even shortage subjects may be oversubscribed. I must dash now but let me know how you get on tomorrow if you do phone them - they can only say no!

stebiz

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

A PGCE will give you QTS, so in that case they're the same.

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings but nowadays, if you already have a degree, you're likely not to get funding but to have to pay International fees as well. As this course is for a shortage teaching subject then there may be an exception for it so do go ahead with the interview and find out about it.

I'd contact the places offering ICT PGCE courses and see how flexible they can be, based on your employment experience. Unfortunately, during a recession, even shortage subjects may be oversubscribed. I must dash now but let me know how you get on tomorrow if you do phone them - they can only say no!

I appreciate your help.I will contact the course administrator in the morning. I'll let you know.

Cheers
Steve