Becoming a Teacher With a Philosophy Degree
I'm 17, currently entering my second year of A-Levels and a few months shy of the university application deadline. I got an A in AS level philosophy and have found it (to my surprise) to be greatly enjoyable, and would like to study it at university.
However, for a long time I've been considering becoming a secondary school teacher as a prime career choice. A philosophy degree appears to conflict with this ambition, because philosophy itself is not taught at a GCSE level. Thus, I would be getting a degree in a subject that would not directly correlate to what I may end up teaching. The alternative is to either make a fast swap to history, which would require rewriting my personal statement and redoing all of my university application work, or doing a philosophy and politics degree, which may be considered more relevant to becoming a history teacher.
Does taking a degree in philosophy hinder my chances of becoming a teacher? Will I be able to transition into teaching something like English/History (my other two A-Levels) or does my degree absolutely have to be what I intend to teach?
However, for a long time I've been considering becoming a secondary school teacher as a prime career choice. A philosophy degree appears to conflict with this ambition, because philosophy itself is not taught at a GCSE level. Thus, I would be getting a degree in a subject that would not directly correlate to what I may end up teaching. The alternative is to either make a fast swap to history, which would require rewriting my personal statement and redoing all of my university application work, or doing a philosophy and politics degree, which may be considered more relevant to becoming a history teacher.
Does taking a degree in philosophy hinder my chances of becoming a teacher? Will I be able to transition into teaching something like English/History (my other two A-Levels) or does my degree absolutely have to be what I intend to teach?
(edited 10 years ago)
There is no hard and fast rule on what you can teach from what degree.
However, you do need to have adequate subject knowledge. It's pretty much up to the provider of your PGCE (or whatever else you do, who knows what the system will be when you graduate!) to decide what constitutes adequate knowledge.
You would be fine for RE with philosophy. Some places say they like at least 50% of your degree content to be the corresponding subject, so have you considered a joint honours?
It's possible that you will be able to show a provider you have the adequate knowledge through other means, but nothing can be guaranteed.
There are also courses available called SKE (subject knowledge enhancement) for before ITT, to boost knowledge, but they are currently not available in History or English. However, like I said this may well have changed by the time you come to apply.
The best thing you can do is contact a few providers of what you'd like to do (eg. PGCE) and ask about the idea. Obviously they won't be sure about when you would graduate, but they can at least let you know how things work now which can give you more of an idea. In my experience providers are very helpful, friendly and honest so it should help you make an informed decision.
ALSO, if you decide to base your decision on what degree to do on this, make sure you get some experience in a secondary school (observational and helping out a little should be fine)... no point choosing your degree for teaching then realising once you get experience during your degree that you hate it!
xxx
However, you do need to have adequate subject knowledge. It's pretty much up to the provider of your PGCE (or whatever else you do, who knows what the system will be when you graduate!) to decide what constitutes adequate knowledge.
You would be fine for RE with philosophy. Some places say they like at least 50% of your degree content to be the corresponding subject, so have you considered a joint honours?
It's possible that you will be able to show a provider you have the adequate knowledge through other means, but nothing can be guaranteed.
There are also courses available called SKE (subject knowledge enhancement) for before ITT, to boost knowledge, but they are currently not available in History or English. However, like I said this may well have changed by the time you come to apply.
The best thing you can do is contact a few providers of what you'd like to do (eg. PGCE) and ask about the idea. Obviously they won't be sure about when you would graduate, but they can at least let you know how things work now which can give you more of an idea. In my experience providers are very helpful, friendly and honest so it should help you make an informed decision.
ALSO, if you decide to base your decision on what degree to do on this, make sure you get some experience in a secondary school (observational and helping out a little should be fine)... no point choosing your degree for teaching then realising once you get experience during your degree that you hate it!
xxx
You may be considered for either r.e or history, depending on your modules and experience. As a potential r.e candidate, I have seen a lot of places saying they will accept a philosophy degree. I am a politics students applying for secondary r.e, so it's not that farfetched!
Make sure you're interested in the subject though - you're going to be potentially teaching it for many years!
Are you doing maths a-level? I know someone with an A in maths who got a politics degree and is doing a subject knowledge enhancement and then applying.
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Make sure you're interested in the subject though - you're going to be potentially teaching it for many years!
Are you doing maths a-level? I know someone with an A in maths who got a politics degree and is doing a subject knowledge enhancement and then applying.
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(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by Airfairy
Are you doing maths a-level?
Are you doing maths a-level?
No, I was dreadful at maths and science at GCSE, but I got A* in English Lit, English Lang and History. I'm taking Literature, History and Philosophy at A level. I got ABB last year, and I think AAA could be attainable for me next year. I got both of those Bs because I screwed up hard on two particular papers, if I hadn't made those dumb mistakes I know I could have done better.
I'm good at humanities type subjects, so studying anything from philosophy to politics to history would suit me. I'm thinking maybe a politics degree would be more useful than the other two though? That might look better for somebody looking to teach History. Either that or I could do a joint honours.
Sorry for rambling, but this is an important decision and I'm feeling a bit swamped. No idea what I'm doing at the moment.
Hi,
I just graduated with a philosophy degree and am about to start a PGCE. It's in RE but they want people who understand philosophy too because not only is it taught in a-levels but it comes up a bit at GCSE (ethical things mainly). A lot of RE departments in schools are incorporating philosophy at KS3 too. Do your philosophy degree, it won't hinder you when apply for a PGCE.
I just graduated with a philosophy degree and am about to start a PGCE. It's in RE but they want people who understand philosophy too because not only is it taught in a-levels but it comes up a bit at GCSE (ethical things mainly). A lot of RE departments in schools are incorporating philosophy at KS3 too. Do your philosophy degree, it won't hinder you when apply for a PGCE.
(edited 10 years ago)
That's a waste of a degree,won't get anywhere with that
Original post by Terry-J
No, I was dreadful at maths and science at GCSE, but I got A* in English Lit, English Lang and History. I'm taking Literature, History and Philosophy at A level. I got ABB last year, and I think AAA could be attainable for me next year. I got both of those Bs because I screwed up hard on two particular papers, if I hadn't made those dumb mistakes I know I could have done better.
I'm good at humanities type subjects, so studying anything from philosophy to politics to history would suit me. I'm thinking maybe a politics degree would be more useful than the other two though? That might look better for somebody looking to teach History. Either that or I could do a joint honours.
Sorry for rambling, but this is an important decision and I'm feeling a bit swamped. No idea what I'm doing at the moment.
I'm good at humanities type subjects, so studying anything from philosophy to politics to history would suit me. I'm thinking maybe a politics degree would be more useful than the other two though? That might look better for somebody looking to teach History. Either that or I could do a joint honours.
Sorry for rambling, but this is an important decision and I'm feeling a bit swamped. No idea what I'm doing at the moment.
Well in that case, you should aim for history! I didn't realise you were considering a history degree. I don't think a politics degree will be more useful than history/philosophy. In terms of grad prospects, I'd say they are on par, but for teaching history would be best because it's a clear national curriculum subject unlike the others. Joint honours of history and something else would be fine for getting you into teaching though, since it would meann 50% of your course was history. I think teaching history would be a great job to have.
Original post by Goman
Hi,
I just graduated with a philosophy degree and am about to start a PGCE. It's in RE but they want people who understand philosophy too because not only is it taught in a-levels but it comes up a bit at GCSE (ethical things mainly). A lot of RE departments in schools are incorporating philosophy at KS3 too. Do your philosophy degree, it won't hinder you when apply for a PGCE.
I just graduated with a philosophy degree and am about to start a PGCE. It's in RE but they want people who understand philosophy too because not only is it taught in a-levels but it comes up a bit at GCSE (ethical things mainly). A lot of RE departments in schools are incorporating philosophy at KS3 too. Do your philosophy degree, it won't hinder you when apply for a PGCE.
As a politics student applying for R.E PGCE, I was interested to see where you got on (did a quick stalk
) seeing as your degree isn't in R.S too. I'll admit philosophy is much more relevant than my degree, but were Cumbria generally accepting of your degree? I e-mailed them because I'm interested in Cumbria and they said they would consider me. Gives me hope knowing that not every student there has done a religious degree.Original post by Airfairy
As a politics student applying for R.E PGCE, I was interested to see where you got on (did a quick stalk) seeing as your degree isn't in R.S too. I'll admit philosophy is much more relevant than my degree, but were Cumbria generally accepting of your degree? I e-mailed them because I'm interested in Cumbria and they said they would consider me. Gives me hope knowing that not every student there has done a religious degree.
As a politics student applying for R.E PGCE, I was interested to see where you got on (did a quick stalk
) seeing as your degree isn't in R.S too. I'll admit philosophy is much more relevant than my degree, but were Cumbria generally accepting of your degree? I e-mailed them because I'm interested in Cumbria and they said they would consider me. Gives me hope knowing that not every student there has done a religious degree.They didn't seem to mind, as long as I showed I had an interest in RE. It may be a little harder once on the course not having the same subject knowledge as everyone else, but don't forget their are a lot of schools that have RE taught by non-specialists so I don't think it matters too much. I did have a few RE modules from uni though, so that probably helped.
Original post by Goman
They didn't seem to mind, as long as I showed I had an interest in RE. It may be a little harder once on the course not having the same subject knowledge as everyone else, but don't forget their are a lot of schools that have RE taught by non-specialists so I don't think it matters too much. I did have a few RE modules from uni though, so that probably helped.
Ah, good to know! Thanks very much. I have only done one RE module at uni, but did a subject knowledge enhancement this summer which will hopefully help my application. I hope you enjoy your time at Cumbria
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Original post by Airfairy
Ah, good to know! Thanks very much. I have only done one RE module at uni, but did a subject knowledge enhancement this summer which will hopefully help my application. I hope you enjoy your time at Cumbria
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Thanks, good luck to you too!
Original post by Terry-J
No, I was dreadful at maths and science at GCSE, but I got A* in English Lit, English Lang and History. I'm taking Literature, History and Philosophy at A level. I got ABB last year, and I think AAA could be attainable for me next year. I got both of those Bs because I screwed up hard on two particular papers, if I hadn't made those dumb mistakes I know I could have done better.
I'm good at humanities type subjects, so studying anything from philosophy to politics to history would suit me. I'm thinking maybe a politics degree would be more useful than the other two though? That might look better for somebody looking to teach History. Either that or I could do a joint honours.
Sorry for rambling, but this is an important decision and I'm feeling a bit swamped. No idea what I'm doing at the moment.
I'm good at humanities type subjects, so studying anything from philosophy to politics to history would suit me. I'm thinking maybe a politics degree would be more useful than the other two though? That might look better for somebody looking to teach History. Either that or I could do a joint honours.
Sorry for rambling, but this is an important decision and I'm feeling a bit swamped. No idea what I'm doing at the moment.
If you want to teach history then do a history degree, either joint honours or single (but make sure at least 50% of history is in it). Why would a politics degree be better for teaching history than a history degree?
History is very very very competitive to get into for teacher training and it would be hugely beneficial to you to have 50% history in your degree if you want to do so.
Original post by Terry-J
I'm 17, currently entering my second year of A-Levels and a few months shy of the university application deadline. I got an A in AS level philosophy and have found it (to my surprise) to be greatly enjoyable, and would like to study it at university.
However, for a long time I've been considering becoming a secondary school teacher as a prime career choice. A philosophy degree appears to conflict with this ambition, because philosophy itself is not taught at a GCSE level. Thus, I would be getting a degree in a subject that would not directly correlate to what I may end up teaching. The alternative is to either make a fast swap to history, which would require rewriting my personal statement and redoing all of my university application work, or doing a philosophy and politics degree, which may be considered more relevant to becoming a history teacher.
Does taking a degree in philosophy hinder my chances of becoming a teacher? Will I be able to transition into teaching something like English/History (my other two A-Levels) or does my degree absolutely have to be what I intend to teach?
However, for a long time I've been considering becoming a secondary school teacher as a prime career choice. A philosophy degree appears to conflict with this ambition, because philosophy itself is not taught at a GCSE level. Thus, I would be getting a degree in a subject that would not directly correlate to what I may end up teaching. The alternative is to either make a fast swap to history, which would require rewriting my personal statement and redoing all of my university application work, or doing a philosophy and politics degree, which may be considered more relevant to becoming a history teacher.
Does taking a degree in philosophy hinder my chances of becoming a teacher? Will I be able to transition into teaching something like English/History (my other two A-Levels) or does my degree absolutely have to be what I intend to teach?
My RS teacher did a Philosophy degree, so I guess you could always become an RS teacher
Currently most Unis require your degree to contain at least 50% of what you want to teach at secondary level, however this is not always the case for school centred training. I have just started on a SCITT course and, as long as you have a degree they have accepted staff to teach anything as long as they have an A Level in it. The training is very thorough and is being set up alongside a Uni as a potential model for new SCITT courses. Having said all that a lot can change in a couple of years in teacher training so it probably wouldn't be wise to base a decision on this still being available - I just wanted to mention it for completeness.
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