Drama

The Course

As a subject which assists in the development of many key skills, Drama is gaining in status within many schools. Thesubject’s potential for cross-curricular teaching is now beingwidely acknowledged. The course is designed to preparetrainees to teach Drama as part of the English or Welsh NationalCurriculum at KS3, KS4 and post-16, including AS and A2 courses. 

The course aims to give trainee teachers the confidence and skillsneeded to become successful teachers of Drama. It providesa firm foundation in understanding the teaching and learningprocess which is essential for the development of excellentprofessional classroom skills and high teaching standards.

Trainees are introduced to a range of essential teachingskills such as lesson planning and preparation, questioning,explaining, marking pupils’ work, preparing resources, classroommanagement and control strategies in order to produce efficient,enthusiastic and creative teachers of Drama. I.C.T. provides opportunities to enhance delivery in the classroom and featuresas an important element of the course. 

Trainees are expected to actively participate in the course;for example delivering micro lessons, creating resources,developing thinking skills and experimenting with new ideas forteaching Drama. 

The study of the practical and theoretical aspects of Drama are core to the university-based course. Students are introduced to methodsof class management within the drama studio and explore the useof various stimuli for class activities at Key Stage 3 and 4. A practicalintroduction is also given to the basics of teaching the technicalaspect of theatre. Preparing pupils for examinations at Key Stage 4and A Level is a central feature of the course.  

In addition to the main subject seminars, the PGCE coursealso prepares student teachers for cross-curricular themes andeducational issues, including: 

  • Provision for Pupils with Additional Learning Needs
  • Key skills
  • Thinking Skills
  • Welsh Baccalaureate
  • First Aid
  • Child protection
  • Health Education
  • English as an Additional Language
  • Assessment
  • Education for Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development
  • Welsh Curriculum

Help with travel costs

Aberystwyth University will assist you with travel to interviewcosts incurred.

Entry Requirements

In order to be considered for interview you will need a degree, atleast 50% of which is Drama-related. We consider students with degrees in related subjects, for example, Media Studies. There will be gaps in subject knowledge for all trainees and the course is designed to address this issue. You will also need a grade C in Mathematics and English at GCSE or equivalent. The University offers tests in these subjects if you do not have these requirements.