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Teaching without a relevant degree?

Hi :-),
I'm currently on a gap year and will be applying for degrees in Public Relations / Marketing for 2014 entry.

Although a job in this industry is my main aim, I'm also considering teaching (secondary). However, if I were to teach, I'd ideally like to teach Biology (I have a B in A level biology) - would this be possible?

Thanks for any help!

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Reply 1

L'Evil Fish

I hope not.

Without sounding harsh or insulting, I would never want to have a teacher who only obtained a B at A Level with no further study.

Only is relative to this context.

Reply 2

Carnationlilyrose

Your degree should be at least 50% in the subject you wish to teach, although I believe there's a bit of leeway with Teach First. Seriously, though, you would really struggle to get a job with just an A level.

Reply 3

babylotion

Original post by L'Evil Fish

I hope not.

Without sounding harsh or insulting, I would never want to have a teacher who only obtained a B at A Level with no further study.

Only is relative to this context.

Yeah, I can understand this!

I have a huge interest in biology but didn't want to study it to degree level as I don't think the job prospects are great.

I wondered whether there was a 'top-up' type course that I'd be able to do which would enable me to teach it?

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Reply 4

Little Boots

Ello ello.

Don't forget that legally if you a) have a degree and b) have the teaching qualification (whatever it's called, it takes one year to get it anyway) you can teach any subject your school assigns you to. My old physics teacher had a degree in film studies. Anyway, the problem would be the school hiring you basically - they might not want to hire someone without a biology degree to teach biology. Can they legally hire you and can you legally teach? Absolutely.

Reply 5

L'Evil Fish

Original post by babylotion

I'd ask the above user because she has more experience in this :smile:

If you really loved it, job prospects shouldn't have deterred you :redface:

Reply 6

polka_dott

I would guess you would find it hard to get onto a PGCE as you would be competing with people who have done it to degree level and basically would have more knowledge of it.

Having a biology degree would not affect your job prospects at all! You can do work experience in whatever job you are interested in, whether it be teaching or marketing whilst at university, it will help make your mind up. :biggrin:

Reply 7

Shelly_x

Original post by babylotion

You could apply for teach first, as they will let you teach with an a level in the subject. You could also consider a SKE (subject knowledge enhancement course) which can be anything from two weeks to two years. If you complete one of these then it will be more realistic for you to get on a pgce.

Reply 8

Mr M

Study Forum Helper

Original post by babylotion

I have a huge interest in biology but didn't want to study it to degree level as I don't think the job prospects are great.

You think the job prospects for marketing/public relations are better than biology?!

If you are serious about teaching choose a more suitable degree.

Reply 9

HK786

I'm pretty sure at least 50% of your degree has to be the subject you want to teach.

Reply 10

babylotion

Original post by Mr M

You think the job prospects for marketing/public relations are better than biology?!

If you are serious about teaching choose a more suitable degree.

For my first choice of career, yes! I know it sounds 'mickey-mousey' but for what I want to do, and the contacts I need to make, a degree in PR or Marketing, with a placement year, will be best for me.

It was biomed that I was considering doing at one point, but I do not want to work in a lab and I'm not 100% sure on teaching...

So yes - PR is better than biology for me...

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Reply 11

knope

Original post by Shelly_x

Pretty sure SKEs are only available for shortage subjects, which biology is not (at least at the moment).

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Reply 12

Luxray

Yes you can teach biology, through teach first. But I think you need to have done two science a levels with a grade B or higher in both to qualify to teach science through teach first route. ANd you 300 Uncas points.

And to the person who said they would never want to be taught by someone who only has an a level, well she would only be teaching people below at gcse or ks3 level. And teaching isn't just about subject knowledge, it's about leadership particularly in crap schools. Although I do feel that the best teachers I've had all generally came from respected universities, I think it was more the fact they were generally intellectual and capable people and would have been able to teach something other than their degree subject.

Reply 13

Shelly_x

Original post by knope

Pretty sure SKEs are only available for shortage subjects, which biology is not (at least at the moment).

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Nope, you can get them for a small number of other subjects too. You just have to look around. There are ones for biology, computer science, r.e. And a couple of others that I've seen.

Though it is worth mentioning to the OP that if you want to teach biology it's likely that you'll also need to teach physics and chemistry at secondary also.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 14

username1039383

I had a teacher at GCSE who taught 2 subjects -r.e and geography. She only had a degree in geo which was strange but she taught r.e really well

Reply 15

L'Evil Fish

Original post by Luxray

And to the person who said they would never want to be taught by someone who only has an a level, well she would only be teaching people below at gcse or ks3 level. And teaching isn't just about subject knowledge, it's about leadership particularly in crap schools. Although I do feel that the best teachers I've had all generally came from respected universities, I think it was more the fact they were generally intellectual and capable people and would have been able to teach something other than their degree subject.

Leadership is pointless if you don't have any knowledge to impart anyway.

I'd say KS3 is fair enough, but I'm sure she would want to teach at a higher level.

Reply 16

knope

Original post by Shelly_x

Ah, okay, sorry - it's just that the government website on SKEs doesn't list it. Out of curiosity, how/by whom are the biology ones provided?

Reply 17

Luxray

Original post by L'Evil Fish

Leadership is pointless if you don't have any knowledge to impart anyway.

I'd say KS3 is fair enough, but I'm sure she would want to teach at a higher level.