Rhodes University Faculty of Education Courses
Education Degree Structure
There are two ways to qualify as a professional teacher. First option is to complete a four year undergraduate Bachelor of Education degree. Rhodes offers the foundation phase only. The second option offered at Rhodes is that of first completing a three year Bachelor’s degree in another faculty, e.g. Humanities, Commerce, Science, and then ‘capping’ it with a one year PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education). If you opt for the degree + PGCE route, you are strongly advised to check your subject choices with the Dean of Education before you embark on your degree, in order to ensure that you will ultimately be eligible for the PGCE.
Bachelor of Education Foundation phase (BEd)
The Rhodes BEd in Foundation Phase Teaching is an initial teaching programme designed to produce capable, well-educated teachers with a strong sense of self. Successful learning and teaching depends on students having confidence in themselves and their knowledge and abilities, the resilience and self-reliance to overcome difficulties, and the capacity for critical reflection to enable them to introspect and learn from experience. Living in a multilingual society, students also need confidence in their ability to speak and teach at least two languages. These capacities are essential if BEd students are to become caring, competent, critical and creative teachers.
The BEd is a 4-year, full-time programme which prepares students to teach in Grades R to 3. The programme develops strong capabilities. It gives students a well-rounded education, as well as providing them with subject knowledge, pedagogy and appropriate experience for teaching. The programme aims to prepare students to teach in a diversity of contexts, but especially in rural schools in the Eastern Cape where isiXhosa is the language of learning and teaching.
Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
This one-year full-time course prepares graduates for teaching in the Foundation Phase, Intermediate Phase and Senior Phase of the General Education and Training band; the Further Education and Training band and non-formal contexts. The qualification is recognised by the national Department of Education as a qualification for either primary (grades 1 – 7) or secondary school teaching (grades 8-12). It is also recognised and valued internationally.
Entry requirements
An undergraduate degree (e.g. BA, B.Soc Sc, BCom, BMus, BSc). For secondary schools you are required to have teaching subjects as part of your undergraduate degree. This course is open to graduates and is recognised by employing authorities as a qualification for either the Intermediate Phase or Senior Phase of the GET band and the FET band of schooling.
FET Phase (Grades 10 − 12)
| School Subjects | University subjects |
| Accounting | Accounting 2 |
| Life Sciences | Zoo 1, Botany 1 + one of Zoo 2, Botany 2, Microbiology 2, Entomology 2,
Environmental Science 2 |
| Computer Studies | Computer Science 2 OR Computer Science 1 + Information Systems 2 |
| Computer Applications Technology | Computer Science 1 OR Information Systems 2 |
| Design | A combination of subjects from a range of appropriate technology-related subjects, eg Practical Art, Computer Science, Design Studies, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering, Architecture. Each application to be examined and decided on its merits, including consideration of matric subjects. |
| Dramatic Arts | Drama 2 |
| Economics / Business Economics | Economics 2 |
| Geography | Geography 2 |
| History | History 2 |
| Language – First Additional Language |
A particular language at 2nd year level (for English – First Additional Language: English 2 + Linguistics 1 OR English 1 + Linguistics 2) |
| Language – Home Language | A particular language at 2nd year level |
| Life Orientation | Psychology 3 OR Psychology 2 + any one of the following:
• Philosophy 2 • Biblical Studies 2 • Anthropology 2 • Social work 2 • HKE 2 |
| Mathematics | Mathematics 2 OR Mathematics 1 + Maths Stats 2 / Applied Maths 2 |
| Mathematics Literacy | Matric Mathematics + one or more of a range of possible subjects. Each application will be considered on merit. |
| Music | Musicology 3 + Instrument at 2nd year level + Theory of Music (Grade 8) + Piano (Grade 5) |
| Physical Science | Physics 2 + Chemistry 1 OR Physics 1 + Chemistry 2 |
| Visual Arts | Studio Practice 2 |
Senior Phase (Grades 7 – 9)
| School subjects | University subject(s) and minimum year level |
| Arts and Culture | At least two subjects from a range of appropriate Arts subjects, eg music, drama, anthropology, classics. Each application to be examined and decided on its merits, including consideration of matric subjects. |
| Economic Management Sciences | At least two subjects from a range of appropriate business subjects, eg accounting, management, economics. Each application to be examined and decided on its merits, including consideration of matric subjects. |
| Languages – First Additional Language | A 1st year in that language (or Linguistics 1 for English) |
| Languages – Home Language |
A 1st year in that language |
| Life Orientation | Psychology 3 OR
Psychology 1 + one of the following: • Philosophy 2 • Biblical Studies 2 • Anthropology 2 • Social work 2 • Sociology 2 • HKE 2 |
| Mathematics |
Mathematics 1 |
| Natural Sciences | At least two of the following: Botany 1, Biology 1, Chemistry 1, Earth Sciences 1, Geography 1, Geology 1, Physics 1, Zoology 1. |
| Social Sciences | Geography 1 and/or History 1 (preferably both) |
| Technology | At least two subjects from a range of appropriate technology-related subjects, eg Practical Art, Computer Science, Design Studies, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics. Each application to be examined and decided on its merits, including consideration of matric subjects. |
PGCE (Intermediate Phase, Grades 4 − 6) and
PGCE (Foundation Phase, Grades 1 − 3)
Any appropriate undergraduate degree − please check with the Dean or HOD that your subjects are relevant.