Is it possible to teach a subject you don't have a degree in?

Or can you only do that subject? E.g. could an Economics graduate teach English? Is there any route to do this?

Thank you.

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Reply 1

Rhiani-ani-on

Original post by maskofsanity

Or can you only do that subject? E.g. could an Economics graduate teach English? Is there any route to do this?

Thank you.

I assume your talking about secondary teaching not primary.

Your degree must be at least 50% related to the subject you wish to teach.

x

Reply 2

Rhiani-ani-on

TDA's? The only TDA I no is the Training and Development Agency for Schools. which isnt a route into teaching. Here is the website, its full of information about getting into teaching http://www.tda.gov.uk/

As far as I am aware its for all routes but some might accept you anyway it is something you would need to look in to more deeply.

At the very least I think you would need an A level in the subject.

It may also be possible for you to do a 2 year foundation degree in the subject and use that but that would involve doing another 2 years at uni before any teacher training and you wouldn't be able to get student loans for it if you had then the first time round.

x

Reply 3

OMGWTFBBQ

Original post by maskofsanity

Is there no way round this? I've already finished my first semester of an Economics degree...

You could probably teach Maths/Econ/Business with an econ. degree.

It seems easier to switch between subjects in the private sector (where less hard-and-fast rules apply)

Reply 4

Rhiani-ani-on

lol, dont worry about it, but have a look on the TDA website, it can be quite usefull in showing you all they ways into teaching and it might help you find a way to do it x

Reply 5

Rhiani-ani-on

Original post by maskofsanity

Is there no way round this? I've already finished my first semester of an Economics degree...

I don't think you could teach english with an economics degree although you could probably teach other subjects like maths.

If teaching english is something you really want to do it might be worth dropping out and applying to an english degree, maybe even an english & education degree.

x

Reply 6

i.student

i wouldnt like to be taught by such teachers.

Reply 7

Mr M

Study Forum Helper

Original post by maskofsanity

Or can you only do that subject? E.g. could an Economics graduate teach English? Is there any route to do this?

Thank you.

Again, lots of misinformation in this thread.

You train to teach and not to teach a specific subject. Once qualified, you teach whichever subject your Headteacher directs you to teach. If you can persuade him or her that you would make a good English teacher (even if you never studied it beyond GCSE), you can teach that subject.

Reply 8

Jigglypuff

It depends on the PGCE course provider and the subject.

I'm training to teach RE with a philosophy degree, could probably link about a third of my degree in some tentative way to RE but on the whole it's only relevant to A-level syllabuses. Plus there are others on my course with degrees in sociology, classics, one even with social care or something. I was asked to boost my knowledge through set essays before starting the course, some people were made offers conditional on doing a booster course.

Reply 9

Operane

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(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 10

xoxAngel_Kxox

You'd be suprised if you kenw the amount of teachers who taught subjects that they didn't have a degree in. My A Level English teacher's degree was in Sociology, and she taught Yrs.7-13. They had all sorts in my school! Spanish teachers in business studies, all sorts in art, and a music teacher teaching maths! None of whom had a degree in the subjects they actually taught.

Reply 11

tiny hobbit

Only too possible. Many Maths teachers do not have a degree in Maths, and some don't even have a degree in a numerate subject!

Reply 12

Mr M

Study Forum Helper

Original post by maskofsanity

I'm confused though; don't you apply to a PGCE of a specific subject, such as "PGCE History Secondry" and "PGCE Biology Secondry"?

Your PGCE subject specialism does not dictate what you teach once you attain QTS.

Reply 13

Interrobang

Original post by maskofsanity

I'm confused though; don't you apply to a PGCE of a specific subject, such as "PGCE History Secondry" and "PGCE Biology Secondry"?

Yes, so that's what you'll TRAIN to teach.

However, I know people who trained in secondary and are now teaching primary. It depends on what the school decides when you get there. PROBABLY at least doing your NQT year you'll only teach the subject you were trained in (and maybe closely related ones), but if the school need/want you to teach another subject, then you may well be able to

It is unlikely that you'll be able to teach English, given that it's one of the more popular courses and not a shortage subject. You would be more likely to be able to switch to something like maths/physics/chemistry

Reply 14

linkdapink

Original post by tiny hobbit

Only too possible. Many Maths teachers do not have a degree in Maths, and some don't even have a degree in a numerate subject!

But Maths is an entirely different kettle of fish, with it being a shortage subject providers send you on SKEs, which are only available for shortage subjects.

OP, Mr M is right, I would pick one of two routes: drop out and do and English degree, or carry on with your Econ, take a lot of English-related modules (if there are any) and try and get experience in an English classroom, then if you can't get onto any PGCEs for English, try getting on one for Econ/Business so you're a qualified teacher, and then try and convince your employer of your English skills.

Reply 15

satinder

hi guys, ermmm the question really is....ive graduated this year in accounting and finance with management...would i be able to do a PGCE in maths?...i didnt do an ALEVEL in maths because they wanted an A grade but i got a B???

Dont know what to do!!

Reply 16

gemz475

If you apply through Teach First and you have an A level in English, you can go through the English teaching route.

Reply 17

Bella Occhi

There's a Maths teacher in my school whose degree is in Psychology, and my Psychology teacher with a degree in Psychology also teaches Sociology, so... :dontknow:

Reply 18

yahyahyahs

All the Physics teachers in my school did their first degree in Maths and until a couple of years ago, their Math counterparts all had degrees in Physics. Why they didn't swap departments confused me greatly.

Reply 19

linkdapink

Original post by satinder

Yes, you should look into Mathematics Enhancement Courses on the TDA website. I'm on one at the moment, and there are only a few people who have an A-Level in Maths.