About Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Secondary (with Qualified Teacher Status QTS), PgCE - at Newcastle University

The Secondary PGCE forms a practical introduction to teaching, providing student teachers with the professional expertise, knowledge and understanding to teach secondary age children, including at post-sixteen enhancement. The strong emphasis of the course is on learning from experience through reflection and enquiry.

The Secondary PGCE forms a practical introduction to teaching. You will develop the professional expertise, knowledge and understanding to teach secondary age children. You will also gain experience of teaching at post-16 level.

We offer the following Secondary PGCE courses:

• Geography
• Mathematics
• French
• French with German
• French with Spanish
• German with French
• Spanish with French
• Secondary Science with Biology Specialism
• Secondary Science with Chemistry Specialism
• Secondary Science with Physics Specialism.

The course has a strong focus on learning from experience, through reflection and enquiry. This process of reflective enquiry underpins the development of teaching skills. It also forms the basis for the written work submitted as part of your PGCE.

During the PGCE you will undertake 60 credits of master's-level modules. The course modules are rooted in school and classroom practice. They work to complement your experiences - enhancing outcomes and your professional development.

You will graduate with a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) if you:

• complete these components
• meet the Teachers’ Standards through your practical engagement in schools.

An understanding of the relationship between theory, practice and research underpins the PGCE. Two thirds of your time (around 130 days) is spent on placements in partnership schools. This provides a firm practical and theoretical foundation for the professional journey towards becoming an outstanding practitioner.

Training

During your training at Newcastle University you will:

• develop the core knowledge, skills and understanding expected of newly qualified teachers
• extend your awareness of effective teaching in your subject area through subject-based/curriculum studies.

The course emphasis is on enhancing the learning, progress and welfare of young people. The research interests of our staff support these key interests.

Delivery

The course starts in early September and continues until June. The course structure follows school term dates as opposed to university semesters.

Newcastle University sessions take place throughout the year. You will need to attend group sessions every Friday during the first half of the course. Other learning, training and discussion opportunities include:

• workshops
• seminars
• 1:1 tutorials
• lectures
• conferences.

Placements

You will spend at least two thirds of the PGCE on school placements. Placements include periods of teaching practice and observation. This allows school and university staff to supervise your progress towards Qualified Teacher Status. You may also undertake subject-specific school visits to observe good practice and work-related challenges.

Newcastle University has positive and long-standing relationships with partnership schools across the North East. This helps us to provide you with a range of experiences across a range of contexts.

Trainees are usually placed in two schools. Where possible, these will provide contrasting experiences in respect of academic and behavioural demand.

Facilities

Postgraduates in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences have access to our:

• Resource Centre
• IT service and computer clusters
• library services.

Further study

On successful completion of the course you can continue your studies part time on our Practitioner Enquiry MEd. The MEd focuses on teaching and learning in school settings. It also draws on your day-to-day teaching experience.

Our PGCE graduates gain fast-track entry onto the course. This allows you to complete the Practitioner Enquiry MEd in two years.

See online Programme information for How to Apply details.

---

Entry requirements for this course

Contact Newcastle University to find course entry requirements.

---

View all courses at Newcastle University

---

Related information

Other universities in Newcastle Studying in United Kingdom