The PGCE Secondary Design & Technology at Cardiff Metropolitan University is a very successful master’s level teaching qualification leading to a PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status. The course is supported by excellent, purpose-built facilities with a network of schools and mentors who are committed to the development of high-quality D&T teachers.

We accept graduates from a wide range of backgrounds who have a passion for problem solving and enjoy making a difference. You might come to study at Cardiff Met direct from university or have decided on a career change. The link will be a background in a Design & Technology related area. This may well be from a Fashion and Textiles background, Product Design/Engineering, Food, Graphics, Artist Maker, 3D Designer, Photography, Animation. The list is endless.

Key Information

Available to study in English and Welsh

1 year full-time

Priority Subject Incentive Bursary

For entry requirements, pre-entry tests and how to apply, visit the PGCE Secondary course page.

Reputation & Teaching Excellence

The PGCE course is led by Jason Davies who has over 30 years’ experience in teaching D&T. He has been involved in all phases of Design & Technology education including Primary, Secondary, Tertiary and HE and has spent the last 20 years developing this course at Cardiff Met, as well as examining PGCE D&T courses throughout the UK.

Whilst you are on the course, we encourage you to undertake research to support your studies and enable you to become a critical reflective practitioner. University sessions are engaging, collaborative and supportive. Research and enquiry activities are embedded within the programme to deepen and expand your thinking and we work closely with all our Partnership Schools to provide our students with the best clinical practice experiences. Guest speakers from our Partnership Schools and external organisations enrich and enhance the taught provision.

Employability & Careers

The PGCE Design & Technology aims to prepare student teachers to be highly skilled, confident, critically reflective, and innovative practitioners who are committed to life-long professional learning and the education of young people. Career prospects following successful completion of the programme at Cardiff Partnership is extremely positive. Most graduates secure offers of full-time work immediately after completing the PGCE programme and many continue to quickly progress into positions of responsibility. The demand for Welsh-medium D&T teachers is particularly high.

Design & Technology is also recognised as a priority subject by the Welsh Government, and so all successful graduates will receive a £15,000 bursary while you train in Wales for D&T and meet eligibility criteria.

What’s the best way to prepare for studying a PGCE in Design & Technology?

Develop and refine your subject knowledge and your teaching philosophy. Think carefully about why you want to teach the subject and the relevance of D&T to twenty-first century schools. In the first instance, look to complete a selection of WJEC GCSE past papers. This will give you a clear insight to themes covered in the curriculum.

There is a wide range of academic research that has been peer reviewed for everyone to engage with. Below are a few sources for you to consider whilst researching the teaching role:

The Design and Technology Association (DATA): This is the subject association for both primary and secondary teachers. If you join you will gain access to a wide range of materials including magazines that showcase work in schools and research.

Design and Technology Education: This is an International Journal freely available on the internet and is hosted by Loughborough University. This contains a wealth of cutting-edge research and practice that will benefit all prospective trainees.

“The Secondary PGCE Design & Technology course was a life changing experience. Teaching really is a community and that community started on this course. From the first day, the staff at Cardiff Met made sure we were all supported. I was challenged, encouraged, and pushed to become a teacher. Throughout my placements, I have had the chance to advance my practice and create some lifelong connections. The PGCE has provided me with a good grounding for my future career in teaching, enabling me to really push myself and discover new things about who I am, and who I want to be as a professional practitioner.”

Georgina Allen, PGCE Secondary (Design & Technology)

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“Studying the Secondary PGCE at Cardiff Met has been a roller coaster of emotions but the D&T staff are so supportive, helpful, friendly and always there if you need anything. There are lots of opportunities to go to the lead schools for School Led Teacher days. These are good for gaining more ideas for teaching, observing different teaching approaches and learning about the new curriculum and how schools apply it. I found practising skills in the workshops in Uni crucial to building my confidence delivering lessons. You can learn a lot from Technician Demonstrator Mr Dabee Saltmarsh so make sure you attend his practical health and safety lessons!”

Naomi Hughes, PGCE Secondary (Design & Technology)

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“A Field module on my Product Design degree course at Cardiff Met sent me down a new career path and into teacher training. Design and Technology and Product Design have always been subjects where I have felt a sense of freedom. I have never been able to concentrate in an environment I feel restricted in, and teaching gives me the freedom that I need. The excitement I get when a class works well and finally understands something that I have been able to explain to them and seeing them work through tasks I put together is so rewarding.”

Meghan Jones, PGCE Secondary (Design & Technology)

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Take a virtual tour of our Art & Design / Design & Technology facilities at the Cyncoed campus.

Our spacious practical facilities are used for art, computing and design-based teaching on a range of PGCE and BA Education Courses. These facilities include an Art & Design Studio, Kiln room, Textiles space, Computing and ICT Studio, D&T workshops and 3D Printing Lab. They are intended to replicate well-equipped art and design spaces that give student teachers opportunities to develop vital skills that will support them in demonstrating and facilitating practical activities for themselves in school settings.

We work very closely with both primary and secondary schools throughout the academic year. A large part of this work is to continue to develop and support Design & Technology in a wide range of areas using different processes and methods. This may involve residencies in primary schools, ‘work’ placements for undergraduate students or judging WJEC Innovation Awards and events.

One of our most successful events is the Creative Exhibition hosted by the Cardiff School of Art & Design (CSAD) in collaboration with the School of Education & Social Policy. This takes place from the middle of June every year and primary and secondary schools are invited to display pupil work from any creative discipline in the public galleries at the University. It is a real opportunity for pupils, teachers and family to celebrate all of the hard work that goes on in school.

Contact Us

For further information about the programme please contact Jason Davies, PGCE Secondary Design & Technology at jasondavies@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

To learn more about PGCE student experiences, follow us on Twitter at @CSECardiffMet and @ITECardiffMet