Postgraduate Certificate Secondary Education (QTS)
Entry requirements
All applicants to Secondary PGCE (QTS) programmes must hold a degree from a UK HEI (or an equivalent qualification) in a relevant subject, as well as GCSE Maths and English (Grade 4/C or above) or equivalent qualifications which will be a condition of any offer, if not already achieved. Equivalency tests will be accepted but only from equivalency testing.
Please see individual subject pages for further information.
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact us on ITEadmissions@contacts.bham.ac.uk
You must also:
- complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before taking up a place.
- complete relevant checks to ensure you have the health and physical capacity to teach.
- agree to abide by the University of Birmingham Code of Professional Conduct and Fitness to Practise.
Months of entry
September
Course content
Our specialist programmes, which offer high quality training and support, will prepare you to teach in the 11-18 age range and are run in close partnership with schools.
The one-year PGCE (QTS) course prepares you for life as a teacher of your subject in secondary schools. The subjects that we currently offer are:
- English
- Geography
- History
- Mathematics
- Modern Languages: French/German/Spanish
- Physical Education
- Religious Education
- Science: Biology
- Science: Chemistry
- Science: Physics
- Engineers Teach Physics
The course develops your skills and abilities in understanding the complexities which surround the teaching and learning of your chosen subject. This will help you to develop into a reflective teacher who carefully considers the choices in how to teach your subject and make informed decisions about how you work best with pupils.
The Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) offered by the University of Birmingham combines theory and professional practice leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The PGCE also offers 60 credits that may be used to contribute to further study towards a Master’s degree, such as the MA in Teaching Studies offered by the University of Birmingham.
School-based work is an important part of the programme, with students normally spending a total of 28 weeks working in schools. During the programme you benefit from both carefully supported introductory work in different schools and the experience of spending a significant length of time in two schools.
The final assessment of teaching is based on the spring/summer term school placement. Assessment is shared between University tutors, staff responsible for students in schools, and external examiners. All aspects of your contribution to the life of the school are taken into account, in particular the teaching of your main subject.
During the course supervised experience and practice are arranged in schools of various kinds across the 11–18 age range. We are fortunate in being able to work with a wide range of partnership schools, including mixed comprehensives, single-sex schools, sixth-form colleges, and our own University Training School. Many of the schools offer opportunities to work with pupils from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- PGCE(QTS)
- full time9 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Admissions
- itesecondary@contacts.bham.ac.uk