Working during my PGDE

Hi. I’ve been offered a place at Glasgow for the English PGDE, and was looking for some advice from Scottish PGDE graduates in particular. I work part-time in retail (currently 19 hours) and am conscious that during my PGDE, my free time will be extremely limited. However, having discussed this with a few teachers at the school that I volunteer at, they have assured me that I should still be able to find time to work whilst studying, and to not rush to hand in my notice.

I have been at my current job for 2 and a half years now, and am lucky to have flexible hours. I can reduce my contract to a minimum of 6 hours a week (i.e., two 3 hour shifts or one 6 hour), but am anxious that this will not be manageable whilst studying. My plan is to work when I’m not on placement, and do the bare minimum/a weekend shift/utilise my holidays when I am on placement.

Am I being unrealistic? I feel like I hear horror stories online about the PGDE workload, and I am a bit worried that I am being naive. I have a car that I need to pay, and would rather not take out another year of SAAS. On the other hand, however, I don’t want to be miserable and drowning in work.

Would any PGDE graduates recommend working? How were your experiences? Should I hand in my notice, or is it manageable to work *and* study. I’ve managed completely fine balancing my English Literature degree and work, but understand that this will be more intense.

Thanks :smile:

Reply 1

University of Strathclyde Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post by piscesrising

Hi. I’ve been offered a place at Glasgow for the English PGDE, and was looking for some advice from Scottish PGDE graduates in particular. I work part-time in retail (currently 19 hours) and am conscious that during my PGDE, my free time will be extremely limited. However, having discussed this with a few teachers at the school that I volunteer at, they have assured me that I should still be able to find time to work whilst studying, and to not rush to hand in my notice.
I have been at my current job for 2 and a half years now, and am lucky to have flexible hours. I can reduce my contract to a minimum of 6 hours a week (i.e., two 3 hour shifts or one 6 hour), but am anxious that this will not be manageable whilst studying. My plan is to work when I’m not on placement, and do the bare minimum/a weekend shift/utilise my holidays when I am on placement.
Am I being unrealistic? I feel like I hear horror stories online about the PGDE workload, and I am a bit worried that I am being naive. I have a car that I need to pay, and would rather not take out another year of SAAS. On the other hand, however, I don’t want to be miserable and drowning in work.
Would any PGDE graduates recommend working? How were your experiences? Should I hand in my notice, or is it manageable to work *and* study. I’ve managed completely fine balancing my English Literature degree and work, but understand that this will be more intense.
Thanks :smile:

Hi @piscesrising
I have just completed my PGDE (Secondary History) at Strathclyde and thought I would share my experience.
The PGDE is full on both when on placement and when on campus 'studying' (attending classes and doing assignments). It is rewarding but it is time consuming and tiring. You want to give yourself as much time as you can to allow yourself time to plan and also to rest. That being said there are necessities to have to work and during my PGDE I did work. I worked part time most weekends and some nights (more when on campus). The balance was that I was up late and then awake early so it all fit in. The hardest factor for me was the commute to placement as the schools I got were not close which limited the hours I had in the day as time was taken travelling and for a while stressing over public transport.
All in all it is possible to work alongside your PGDE but make sure your main focus is your PGDE and getting the most out of your student teacher experience by being your best self and dedicating the time and effort.
Best wishes for your PGDE ! Catherine - University of Strathclyde Student Ambassador