PGCE (Secondary) Art and Design at University of Brighton

Programme overview

Being a secondary art and design teacher is all about creative exploration and self-expression. You’ll help students develop practical skills like drawing, painting and digital design, as well as encourage them to think critically about art and its role in society. Our Secondary Art and Design PGCE leads to QTS – the professional teaching qualification.

Faculty: School of Education | Department: Teaching (postgraduate) | Duration: full-time: 1 year | Study mode: full-time | Location: Brighton, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Two-thirds of your year will be spent teaching under supervision in schools. Our tutors and mentors will advise and support you throughout each placement. You will receive comprehensive feedback during this time, enabling you to see what you are doing well and where you might need to improve. The university works in partnership with schools and colleges to provide a high-quality programme of support, ensuring a sound relationship between theory and practice. You will benefit from undertaking two placements in two schools or colleges, with the opportunity to visit additional schools or colleges as part of the peer observation programme.

Career pathways

A (Secondary) Art and Design PGCE at Brighton prepares you for a career teaching art and design in secondary schools. Leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), the course develops the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to inspire creativity, self-expression and critical thinking in young people.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Degree and experience. Normally an honours degree or equivalent qualification in the subject specialism or a subject that is directly relevant. GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4). At least English language and maths. If you don’t have the required GCSEs, an equivalency test demonstrates that you have achieved the same standard as a traditional GCSE grade C or level 4. At Brighton, we accept equivalency tests from A Star Equivalency. If you have equivalency test results from another provider, contact us at [email protected] to see if we can accept them. We cannot accept Functional Skills for teaching courses. International student application deadline. The deadline for international applicants is late May. This deadline is in place to ensure sufficient time for the visa process to be completed before the course starts in early September. Interviews. Interviews for this course are online. If we invite you to an interview, you’ll be able to choose a date that suits you best. Experience. While experience in a school is not a condition of entry for initial teacher education courses, we recommend that you take up opportunities to gain a realistic understanding of whether teaching is right for you. The Get Into Teaching School Experience Programme offers opportunities across the country to book a day’s worth of experience.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,790 a year (2026/27). First-year tuition fee, full-time; fees may rise in later years. Source

International applicants: GBP 18,108 a year (2026/27). First-year tuition fee, full-time; fees may rise in later years. Source

Duration: full-time: 1 year

Apply through the official page: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training

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