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Studying Education (Teacher's College) in the UK
A common question I get asked here is: why did you choose Scotland to study education? My answer is maybe a little more complicated than other international students, but it involves the coming together of a great programme and some family roots.
After completing my undergraduate diploma, I headed over to South Korea to teach English. I stayed there for a number of years until moving on to China where I worked for an international teaching consultancy firm in Shanghai. We analysed teachers’ resumes if they were interested in working internationally and helped them find schools that would be a good fit. I became familiar with education qualifications from many countries and after two years in China, I felt that my real calling was teaching. I was ready to choose a programme to get certified.
While looking at postgraduate qualifications around the world, I kept coming back to University of Strathclyde’s PGDE programme. It was appealing to me because it was offered at a masters level, and after completing the course I’d have half the credits necessary for an M.Ed. The course was also heavily focused on the placement learning and experiences. The PGDE stands for Professional Graduate Diploma in Education, and the focus is very much about training new teachers for the professional world of education.
Another thing that interested me was Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence. The program is relatively new and flexible with the adaptability to offer exciting opportunities for teachers. The programme offers vibrant discussions of educational policy in Scotland and invites new teachers to discuss, work in the field, then return and reflect to discuss again. The mixture of theory and practice is an excellent balance for new teachers.
Strathclyde has a sprawling campus which occupies a large chunk of Glasgow’s Merchant City. There are picturesque side streets lined with boutique shopping just a hop away from where students hurry along well-worn steps on their way to class. Lectures take place in old cathedrals, local theatres, and turn of the century buildings as well as the cutting-edge facilities of the downtown campus.
All these buildings are nestled in amongst the vibrant Glasgow restaurant scene, where you can grab a quick bite to eat or stay a while at a coffeeshop nearby. Strathclyde University also recently opened their new Sports Facility, which offers amazing facilities that are included in the accommodation for students living in the halls.
So with an exciting programme in mind, the thing that sealed the deal to come study in Scotland was the Ancestry Visa I applied for. Since my grandmother was born in the UK, and I was from a Commonwealth country (Canada) I could qualify for a 5 year UK Ancestry Visa.
This visa means I can study and work in the UK for the next 5 years so, after gaining my teacher qualification, I’m looking forward to completing my probationary year in Scotland. After studying and working in Scotland for a couple of years, I’ll have an internationally recognised education degree which I can take with me where ever I head to next.
- Ashley
Studying Publishing in Scotland
The UK is one of the most prominent publishing markets in the world, so it makes sense that it would provide courses for people to study the subject before entering the job market! I’m studying for my Master of Science in Publishing at Edinburgh Napier University, one of two Master’s in Publishing programs in Scotland, the other being at University of Stirling. Canada doesn’t really have any programs like this, which is why I chose to study abroad! Read on to find out what you need to know about studying publishing in Scotland!
THE PROGRAM
As I said, I study at Edinburgh Napier University. This program is over 50 years old, and one of the most respected publishing programs in the UK. The program covers everything from marketing to editorial, rights to design, and you get a really good idea of all aspects of the publishing industry! It also provides the opportunity to do a placement at a publishing company, so you also get experience working in the industry! It is a one year program, and that year has been flying by. The first trimester is mainly taught theory, where you learn what you need to know about the history of publishing, current operations, and how to succeed in the industry. Trimester two is focused on production, and you get to choose a product (book or magazine) and take it from the beginning stages to a fully formed, published and printed book! I am currently in this stage right now, and I have to say, I am loving the project so far. It offers a lot of creative freedom, and you learn a lot about using computer software that is standard in the industry while getting to see what it is like to publish something! It has been really rewarding so far. Trimester three is mainly independent study, and you have four months to research and write a dissertation on a topic of your choosing related to publishing! It may sound daunting, but your professors are there to help you every step of the way.
CHOOSING A PROGRAM
As I said, there are two programs for Publishing in Scotland. Stirling is not that far from Edinburgh, and from what I know, the programs are very similar. Both provide you with a great education in publishing, and it really just comes down to where you want to live while in the UK. Stirling is more rural, whereas Edinburgh is more urban, but both are beautiful places to live. As well, Edinburgh is just a short train ride away from Stirling, so no matter which school you choose, you’ll definitely still get to see the other city! However, one advantage of Edinburgh Napier is that you are very central for a lot of publishing industry events that happen throughout the year in Edinburgh, but again, Stirling is just a short train ride away.
WHY STUDY PUBLISHING IN THE UK?
Studying publishing in the UK means that you are very central for a lot of publishing events that happen, and you get to go to them as part of your program, often with student discounts! Throughout the year that you’re in the UK, there are all sorts of publishing events you can visit. In February in Edinburgh there is the Publishing Scotland Conference and the SYP Conference (Society of Young Publishers, which you can also join as a Publishing student, and they provide discounts and support to young publishers starting out in the industry. A really great program.). The London Book Fair takes place in March, and it is free to students, and if you’re already in the UK, it’s much closer than flying over from Canada! As, there are many smaller events throughout the year that can help you succeed in publishing, like CV workshops, speaker panels, and much more that make studying in the UK a really rewarding experience. As well, in my experience, the program isn’t just UK focused; it explores publishing in a world-wide context, and you can work anywhere with this degree!
- Lauren
My First Days in the UK (Hertfordshire!)
When I decided to apply for Law School in the UK, it was one of the biggest (if not the biggest) decisions I’d made for myself and by myself. Having the guidance of the Across the Pond student advisors to keep you on task and provide all the information you needed to succeed made this process that much easier. After choosing my program, applying, and accepting my offer came the hard part – applying for a UK visa. I won’t lie and say it was a simple process, it wasn’t - or that it wasn’t expensive, it was. However, if (as it was for me) it is something you really wanted to achieve than it's worth it. During the visa process you will need to pay for your healthcare for the length of time you’ll be in the UK. You’ll also need to book a biometric appointment to scan your fingerprints and take your visa photo. Because of the limited amount of time I had left before the beginning of my program I chose to pay for the priority visa application which returned my visa to me three days after it was submitted.
Arriving in the UK
My arrival in the UK was really quite simple, since the UK border agents are no longer stamping visas, I was able to simply scan my passport at the entry point and proceed to my luggage. The change of procedure for visa entry has made entrance into the UK a smooth and stress-less process.
Welcome Week/ Orientation
When I arrived on campus – on one of their designation student arrival days, I was given information on the events that would take place during ‘Freshers Week’, a free sweater courtesy of the school, and the keys to my flat on campus. Many of the orientation week events where targeted at getting international students situated in the UK. Things like setting up a bank account and providing workshops to help find part time work opportunities were helpful – especially because the UK does not operate by credit scores, your bank account is how you set up phone plans and works as a form of ID.
Don’t worry - orientation week is not all boring, the student’s union provided daily activities aimed at helping students connect and form friendships – games nights, roller skating, salsa dancing, and of course lots of parties geared at different music genres.
Orientation week also provided an induction week for all the classes you would be taking for your different programs for the year. Each course induction provided information on the format of the course and important deadlines to keep in mind, while getting you accustomed to the class structures. At the University of Hertfordshire, which is where I attend, our lectures are posted online in advance for students to view and prepare for the seminars in the following week.
While I’d been to university in Canada and had knowledge of how independent you become as a student, this process took it one step further and really expects you to make sure you’re keeping up with your courses and prepared for your seminars. It takes a little getting used to at first, but this system allows you to take your learning into your own hands to help you gain understanding in each subject while providing a forum for you to voice any questions or difficulties you experienced.
Overall, the beginning of my UK journey has been great. I’m learning how to adjust to UK society and customs, I’ve had a few lectures so far that have sparked my interest, I’ve joined a society and made some friends along the way. If you’re thinking or considering school overseas, go for it. It will not only allow you to get world class education but give you the experience of living in another country and open up many travel opportunities during your downtime.
- Efenosa
My First Days in the UK (Newcastle!)
I have been living in North East England for just over a month now and it has been nothing but excitement ever since. While my university had an airport service for international students, I decided to come a week early to start settling in before the semester began. I was lucky enough to travel with both my mom and grandma to make the transition a little more bearable and to have additional support with moving in and getting familiar with my new city.
I was nervous traveling and entering the country on a visa as I had never done anything like this before. I had the idea in my mind that it would be a long and complicated process to enter the country. Thanks to my advisor I was prepared for anything and had all my documents ready to speak with an immigration officer at the airport. Despite my concern, it was a rather smooth process. The whole thing only took a total of maybe 10 minutes. There were only 2 other people ahead of me, and once I got up to the officer all I was asked was for my passport and visa. I can’t speak for everyone but for me it was quick and painless arriving on a visa.
Since I arrived one week before my move in date, I stayed at a hotel for the time being. This gave me the opportunity to explore the city/ campus and to run some necessary errands before the stress of the semester began. I used this time to set up a SIM card for my phone, to open a UK student banking account, and to pick up my biometric residence permit. I also got to explore the Newcastle Castle, visit the Quayside Sunday Market and, I even got some traveling in during that first week.
Before classes begin, universities here have what is called Freshers’ week. This is about a 10 day stretch where students are able to go to various events on campus, in the city, and in the general area/ county. While I didn’t attend any of the actual Freshers’ events the university also held a variety of welcome events specifically for international students. One of the events they held was a pizza party for all the international postgraduate students in my faculty. This was an awesome opportunity to meet other international students who are also studying in courses similar to my own. At this event I even met a girl who was from the same province as I am! As well as the events going on all week, they also had a bunch of companies on campus giving out free coupons and food, and had fairs for joining clubs, or finding a job in the city centre. This whole week was a great way to feel welcome on campus and even having only attended one event, all of the energy and people on campus really made me feel like I had made the right decision coming here.
The best part of this experience so far has been simply the change of scenery. Every day I walk to class and pass churches and castles that are older than Canada itself. In the same amount of time it would take me to drive to the closest city at home I am able to travel to different countries.
If I was to recommend 5 things for students who will be coming to the UK next fall it would be to try and travel with a friend or family member, to fly through the night to try and avoid jetlag, attend at least one even during welcome/ Freshers’ week, take the opportunity to travel and explore your new country/ city.
- Kaley
Lochs, Libraries and Lack of Sleep: My First Week in Scotland
My first week in Glasgow was filled with new places, jetlag, unique and delicious foods, jetlag, breathtaking sights, and more jetlag.
Things didn’t get off to the best start though. Due to a mixture of excitement and nerves, I was unable to sleep on my overnight flight over from Canada. Excitement soon turned into bleary-eyed exhaustion, but when the plane began its descent to Glasgow, I started to see the rolling mountains, and the butterflies in my stomach were fluttering like it was the mating season. I kept thinking, "I'm here! I made it!" and that feeling made the sleep deprivation worth it… just.
I was sad to leave my friends and family, but I was looking forward to studying Information and Library Studies at the University of Strathclyde, a long-term goal for my career development. On top of that, I’d be living with my partner, who had moved up from the North West of England, so at least I’d have someone who can half understand the accent.
I’ve never lived in a foreign country before, so it was only natural to feel a little apprehensive, but with the journey out of the way, I could embrace being an international student in a new country. On the car ride to my new home, I was in awe at the rolling hills that encompassed Scotland, it almost took my breath away. I felt so lucky that I could call this place home for the next year and also proud of myself for taking this on.
I had arrived a month before classes started, so welcome week orientation hadn't begun yet. But there was plenty to check out in Glasgow before my course started. I decided to use this time before classes started to take in local sights and familiarize myself with Glasgow, including the University Campus and a few museums. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum was pretty spectacular, and as a future librarian, it was great to check out The Mitchell Library, one of the largest libraries in Europe.
Although I was sleep-deprived the first week, I was still able to spend some time in the great outdoors. We visited Loch Lomond and hiked up Conic Hill - a manageable two- to three-hour hike that’s perfect if you’re suffering from jetlag and not ready for a full day excursion. Unfortunately, I wore what I believed to be a waterproof jacket for the hike, and it turns out what’s waterproof in Canada isn’t cut out for Scottish rain. My so-called rain jacket began absorbing the water instead of repelling it and I was distressed to realize that I had become a sponge. Still, I was determined to make it to the top, and I don't know if that was the delirium from the lack of sleep or my sheer will, but somehow I did. As I continued taking on water, I was nevertheless blown away by the sights along the route. The lochs (Scottish term for lake) and mountains were a sight to see, and I couldn’t believe how fortunate I was to have all this so close to home. After the hike, we headed straight into a warm, cozy pub-restaurant where I tried Haggis for the first time, and I was pleasantly surprised at how delicious it was! I look forward to having it again, just so long as no one tells me how it’s made.
Staying fit is important to me, and by far my favourite way to do so is through boxing, so it was important that I found a great gym for the year. Thankfully, Glasgow is well served for aspiring pugilists, with a number of great boxing and kickboxing gyms around the city, as well as the extremely convenient 9ROUND which offers a lung-busting 30-minute workout that’s perfect when you’re short on time.
Over the course of the week, we also managed to take in a football game, go to the cinema, and eat out probably more than we should. I look back at my first week in Scotland with the fondest, albeit somewhat foggy memories. Throughout this time, I just kept thinking of how lucky I was to be living here.
I recommend students to look at Scotland when they are thinking about studying in the UK. Scotland has so much to offer international students, from its rich culture to majestic scenery. If you're thinking about studying in the UK, maybe even Scotland, please contact an Across the Pond student advisor for more information.
- Jaclyn
