The award of PGCE is offered at two levels, Professional Graduate Certificate in Education and Postgraduate Certificate in Education - where Masters-level credits can be gained. Both are recognised teaching qualifications, but the postgraduate award will allow fast-track entry to Masters courses. The choice of which qualification to take will be made while on the course, successful completion of which will lead to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
The course aims to develop an understanding of the specialist subject in the context of the National Curriculum, the principles involved in the teaching and learning of the subject across the full age and ability range and the professional values and practice, subject knowledge and understanding commensurate with the particular subject specialism. This includes how children learn and how they develop cognitively, socially and physically and the understanding, skills and personal qualities necessary for managing the learning environment.
All trainees undertake a course of education and professional studies which develops the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for a first teaching post in a secondary school and builds a foundation for further professional development. This is a sequence of whole cohort keynote lectures on whole school topics that affect all trainees. They are supported by seminar opportunities guided by specialists who help trainees to make appropriate connections with their subject specialisms.
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Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 4200
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Please note the following information for applicants
You will cover the specialist issues concerning science education including the place of practical work; the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) and Health and Safety. The University-based work is divided into four areas: Core Science - which considers generic issues concerned with science education and the methodologies of Biology; Chemistry and Physics. You will study the methodology of all three subjects in sufficient depth to teach Key Stage Three and at least two, preferably all three of them to Key Stage Four. In addition, you will receive tutorial support and small group seminar support in the three subject areas.
Assessment
University-based subject application studies and education and professional studies are continuously assessed by course work on a modular basis. A separate, formal assessment also takes place in practical teaching. Students are required to pass three skills tests in numeracy, literacy and ICT during their training year. Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) cannot be awarded until these tests have been completed.
Funding
Bursaries are provided by the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) and are subject to UK residency requirements. For further information visit our fees and bursaries page.
Home students can apply for a student loan for tuition and maintenance fees. In addition students may be eligible for maintenance or special support grants. More information on the funding for Initial Teacher-Training courses can be found on Directgov and the Teaching Agency (formerly TDA) website.
The vocational nature of the PGCE Secondary and the fact that successful completion of the course leads to a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) means that graduates are ideally placed to pursue a career as a teacher in a secondary school or college.
School or college experience is central to the course and at least 24 weeks are spent on placement in at least two different secondary schools or colleges. During the first phase, two days of school or college experience each week for three weeks are spent in school leading up to a six-week block placement. Trainee teachers are gradually given more responsibility and increase their contribution in both the classroom and to the corporate life of the school.
The second phase begins with a two day, weekly attachment for the first three weeks of the spring term, leading up to the final assessed 13-week block placement. In both placements the training programme is planned by mentors to allow progressive acquisition of the skills, knowledge and understanding students need to be recommended for the award of QTS.
Students are formally observed on a regular basis by their subject mentor as well as receiving a number of visits from the University, to monitor their progress, support their development and undertake their assessment.
Applications should be made directly to the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR). As soon as the completed forms are sent to us from the GTTR, we invite selected candidates to attend for interview.
GTTR code: C1X1
For a hard copy application form
Telephone +44 (0)1242 544788 or write to:
GTTR
Rose Hill
New Barn Lane
Cheltenham
GL52 3LZ
English language entry requirements
English language entry requirements for courses in the School of Education and a full list of all English language qualifications accepted by the University.
