Why study this course

You will be taught and mentored by passionate, experienced, and highly-qualified subject experts. 100% of our trainees in 2023 said they were well-supported to teach their specialist subject.

The course is really hands-on. You will learn theories of learning and put these into practice in your subject, in the classroom with pupils.

100% of our trainees in 2023 said they could integrate the theoretical elements of their programme with the practical elements.

Our network of Lead Providers across the region means that we can offer a range of high-quality placements. You will also be supported throughout the course to prepare for and seek employment.

Course summary

This PGCE course prepares you to teach your specialist secondary subject in either the 11-16 (with post-16 enhancement) or 14-19 age phases. It is a very practical course with around two thirds of the time spent in schools, mostly working with teachers and pupils, and around one third spent on directed study, with partnership training in the University and school. It is an integrated academic and professional preparation for teaching, combining study at either postgraduate or professional level with practical training to meet the Teachers’ Standards by the end of the programme.

This course is Subject to Revalidation. Learn more

Key facts

Award

PGCE

DfE code

(various - see below)

Duration

1 year (FT), 2 years (PT)

Mode of study

Full/Part-time

Start date

September

Awarding institution

Bishop Grosseteste University

Institution code

B38

Apply for this course

When you're ready to apply, the route you take will depend on your personal circumstances and preferred method of study. Click the relevant button below to start your application journey.

About this course

The PGCE secondary course draws upon the strong heritage of BGU within the field of Initial Teacher Education and the course tutors are experienced teacher educators. On this course, you will consider the broader aspects of teaching, contexts for learning, the latest government initiatives and contemporary issues in teaching, learning and assessment.

You will also work alongside trainee teachers of other subjects to consider cross-curricular aspects of education to prepare you for your career in the teaching profession. Throughout your study, you will explore all aspects of your subject and learn how to plan and deliver topics in ways that include all types of learners in meaningful ways.

You will spend two-thirds of the year in educational settings gaining rich and varied experiences designed to support meeting the minimum requirements for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). You will also have opportunities to gain experience of the key stages before and after the ones in which you will qualify.


You can study for a Secondary PGCE at BGU in the following subject areas:

Entry requirements

For all PGCE Secondary specialisms you will normally need:

  • GCSEs at grade 4 (previously C) or above (or equivalent) in English (Language or Literature) and Mathematics. Please see our list of accepted equivalents.
  • A relevant honours degree at a 2:2 classification or above. (Where the degree result is to be awarded in the year of application, we will require a predicted degree classification as part of an academic reference provided on the application)
  • Experience – please see below information below
  • Declaration of Health
  • DBS (formerly the CRB) Enhanced Disclosure

When shortlisting for interview, we will consider the following aspects of your qualifications:

  • GCSE grades (or equivalents) and relevance of subjects
  • A Level grades (or equivalents) and relevance of subjects
  • Degree Class and relevance of content
  • Additional relevant qualifications

Modules in or closely related to the subject being applied for will typically need to form at least 50% of the degree content.

Experience

Experience in a relevant setting is useful as it will help you to make sure that you are aware of the role of a teacher in the twenty-first century. We encourage you to gain some experience in schools as this is a good starting point for you to gain an interview for the Secondary PGCE.

Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) – formerly the CRB and Health

In addition, you will be required to obtain a satisfactory Declaration of Health Form, or if required, a medical examination. All students will need to pay for an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), formerly the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). A successful Enhanced Disclosure is required before commencing the course.

If you have any questions about the entry requirements for this course, please contact our Enquiries team for advice on +44 (0) 1522 583658 or email enquiries@bishopg.ac.uk

Further information

Click here for important information about this course including additional costs, resources and key policies.

In accordance with University conditions, students are entitled to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning, RP(C)L, based on relevant credit at another HE institution or credit Awarded for Experiential Learning, (RP(E)L).

Assessment

Formative assessment and feedback will be provided throughout the course to help you gain knowledge and skills and put them into practice. The portfolio of evidence you compile during the course will form the main evidence in assessing that you have met the minimum requirements to be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This summative assessment will take place at the end of the course. Assessment of the academic modules is through written assignments.

Careers & Further study

Success on the course means you will have completed a postgraduate (with 60 credits at Master's level) or professional graduate qualification, have met the minimum requirements to be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status and you will be fully prepared to start the next year as an Early Career Teacher.

Many continue to work in our partner schools, becoming mentors to our trainee teachers, pursuing further study to full Master's and Doctoral level at BGU and taking on leadership roles.

What Our Students Say

Discover what life is like at Bishop Grosseteste University from our students.

Support

Studying at BGU is a student-centred experience. Staff and students work together in a friendly and supportive atmosphere as part of an intimate campus community. You will know every member of staff personally and feel confident approaching them for help and advice, and staff members will recognise you, not just by sight, but as an individual with unique talents and interests.

We will be there to support you, personally and academically, from induction to graduation.

At BGU we have so much support available for our students, the type of support that has won us awards recently in the What Uni Student Choice Awards 2023, such as the Chaplaincy team, the Student Advice team, CELT, BGFutures and representatives at the Students’ Union.

sport and fitness memebership

Fees & Finance

As a PGCE Secondary student, you could be eligible for a bursary of up to £28,000 depending on your specialist subject.

A lot of student finance information is available from numerous sources, but it is sometimes confusing and contradictory. That’s why at BGU we try to give you all the information and support we can to help to throughout the process. Our Student Advice team are experts in helping you sort out the funding arrangements for your studies, offering a range of services to guide you through all aspects of student finance step by step.

Click here to find information about fees, loans and support which will help to make the whole process a little easier to understand.

For all applicants, there are full instructions here to make it as easy as possible for you to fill in your online application, plus help text where appropriate.

You can study for a Secondary PGCE at BGU in the following subject areas:

With a PGCE in Secondary Art & Design, you'll be equipped with the skills and knowledge to make a real impact in the lives of your students. Our supportive faculty will guide you every step of the way, providing mentorship and opportunities for professional growth.

You will be encouraged to engage creatively and critically with a wide range of practices, debates, and current issues. Your mentors will provide ongoing developmental feedback and help you to practically apply your thinking and learning about Art and Design pedagogy. You will have access to BGU’s dedicated art facilities, including kilns for glass and ceramics, printing press, metalworking, ICT, and studio space. You will develop your own practice as an artist/designer during the year, both through continued attention to your own specialism and by expanding your skills and experiences through a range of workshops.

You will study how pupils learn in your subject area, how you need to assess them and how to keep abreast of new developments within your subject. You will consider the broader aspects of teaching, contexts for learning, the latest government initiatives and contemporary issues in teaching, learning and assessment.

Unleash your potential and shape the world of tomorrow.

Apply for the PGCE Secondary (Art & Design) here.

Are you excited about Computing and its array of possibilities? Do you see yourself sharing your love of Computing with young people and helping to form their future passions and selections? If so, join us at Bishop Grosseteste University where we will support you to become one of the next generation of outstanding Computing teachers shaping the future of Computing education.

We are recognised for fully supporting you to unlock your academic and practical potential through closely integrating exceptionally high quality teaching and learning theory with excellent hands on practice in a range of settings. The stimulating subject specific Computing curriculum is underpinned by problem solving and computational thinking practices. It enables you to appreciate the broad landscape of Computing education, along with the more specific essentials of Computing pedagogical teaching requirements. All of this is built on BGU's own curriculum which is Ambitious, Diverse, Evidence-based and Professionally Transformative (ADEPT).

Specifically tailored to stimulate critical engagement with current debates and innovation, and using a wide range of teaching and learning strategies, the PGCE Computing programme helps you develop your knowledge, skills and the vision needed to prepare young people to be fearless, and resilient, digital explorers and pioneers.

Dance education does more than improve physical techniques and creative expression. It additionally empowers individuals to build their confidence, discipline and focus. Learning dance develops the skills of collaborative choreography and personal goal setting, as well as cultural awareness and inclusivity.

Dance lessons allow students to develop a lifelong appreciation for this art form, performance skills, and the ability to challenge all abilities. Even if individuals do not pursue dance professionally, learners may go on to continue to enjoy dancing as a recreational activity.

Our highly experienced and supportive course tutors guide you from dancer to dance teacher. In addition to your university sessions, you will spend two-thirds of the year in partner schools, working with school-based colleagues to develop your abilities to promote effective learning among 11-16-year-olds.

This course is demanding and stimulating, creating competent and reflective dance teachers. If you would like an informal chat about the course, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Drama is so much more than a school subject. It enables us to ‘step into the shoes’ of other people, in different places, times and situations. This can help young people, especially, to see things from different points of view and to explore the world around us. On this course we identify what elements of the art form are needed to make drama. We go on to explore making, responding, and performing drama in schools. This framework informs our approach to creating meaningful work with and for the young people we work with.

But the subject is so much more. This is what some of our Drama trainees have told us:

"Drama is great because it involves youngsters imaginatively and creatively in performing their own work."
"I enjoy teaching a subject where we can really make a difference to young people: help them step into characters and contexts they would never otherwise imagine."
"You get to support young people learn about themselves, each other and not only find their place in the world but also how to try and influence it, growing their confidence, communication and collaboration skills along the way."

Are you passionate about creativity, problem-solving and making a difference? Our program is your gateway to a rewarding career in education, where you'll have the power to shape the next generation of designers, engineers, and innovators.

Design & Technology is an incredibly important subject that plays a crucial role in shaping our modern world. It teaches students how to think critically and analytically and generate innovative solutions to real world problems. Design & Technology fosters creativity and imagination and equips students with vital practical skills. With our hands-on approach, you'll learn the latest teaching techniques and strategies to engage and inspire your students.

You will be encouraged to engage creatively and critically with a wide range of practices, debates, and current issues. Your mentors will provide ongoing developmental feedback and help you to practically apply your knowledge of Design & Technology pedagogy. You will study how to plan and deliver topics in ways that include all types of learners in meaningful ways, how to assess them and how to keep abreast of new developments within the field.

Take the first step towards an exciting future and enrol in our PGCE Secondary Design & Technology program at Bishop Grosseteste University.

Apply for the PGCE Secondary (Design & Technology) here.

English is so much more than a school subject. It is about confidence with language and with communication, and it is about engagement with literature which explores our world and our place in it.

On this course we begin with the three components of English: reading, writing, and spoken word. These traverse the two elements of the subject – Language and Literature – and form our starting point: How is reading used in lessons? When (and why) do pupils write? How do speaking and listening inform pupils’ understanding and support their development?

But the subject is so much more. This is what some of our English trainees have told us:

"Language is the key that opens every door. An English teacher is the person who helps a child to cut their own key."
"I teach in order to help pupils to believe that are things in the world that are not as out of their reach as they think."
"Why become an English teacher? Because it gives you the chance to help pupils find joy, escapism, and emotions they never knew they possessed - just like I have done, and continue to do every day.

Apply for the PGCE Secondary (English) here.

The Geography PGCE course will equip you to become an outstanding teacher. You’ll study the entire Geography curriculum along with essential educational theory. You’ll look at innovative teaching and assessment methods along with strategies to encourage the development of practical skills. The course also has a specific focus on geographical fieldwork and you will be involved in several fieldwork visits.

You will spend two-thirds of the year in partner schools and other educational settings gaining rich and varied experiences designed to support meeting the minimum requirements for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Working with peers, tutors and school-based colleagues, you will develop your abilities to promote effective learning among 11-16-year-olds.

This course is demanding and stimulating. We aim for you to be prepared to take responsibility for your own learning, be open to creative and innovative ideas, and be competent, reflective practitioners both in your training year and beyond. Success on the course means you will have completed a postgraduate (with 60 credits at Master's level) or professional graduate qualification, have met the minimum requirements to be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status and you will be fully prepared to start the next year as an enthusiastic and effective Geography teacher.

Apply for the PGCE Secondary (Geography) here.

Embark on a transformative teaching journey with our PGCE in Secondary History! Unleash your passion for the past as you delve into historical scholarship, expert-led sessions, and immersive classroom experiences. Craft lessons that bring history to life, fostering critical thinking and igniting curiosity in your students.

Our programme aims to cultivate a profound understanding of disciplinary knowledge, providing hands-on practice to bring academic history to life in a classroom setting. Picture yourself facilitating historical discussions on the causes of the First World War, illuminating historical narratives on the execution of King Charles I, and leading pupils to analyse historical evidence of the Peterloo Massacre.

With our PGCE, you're not just learning to teach history; you're becoming a catalyst for future leaders, shaping minds one lesson at a time. Seize this chance to inspire, challenge, and make a lasting impact on the historians of tomorrow.

Apply for the PGCE Secondary (History) here.

Mathematics empowers individuals to understand and interpret the world's complexities. It is the language of engineering, science, finance and architecture. Without mathematics, we wouldn't have smartphones, the internet, or television. No banks, no medical research, no models to predict disease spread, no satellites, no GPS.

Teaching mathematics is much more than passing on a set of routines and algorithms. Mathematics teachers foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills, encouraging pupils to approach challenges logically and systematically, and cultivating perseverance and creativity.

Our supportive and experienced course tutors guide you on your journey from mathematician to mathematics teacher.

In addition to your university sessions, you will spend two-thirds of the year in partner schools; working with school-based colleagues, you will develop your abilities to promote effective learning among 11-16-year-olds.

This course is demanding and stimulating, creating competent, reflective mathematics teachers. If you'd like an informal chat about the course, do get in touch.

Apply for the PGCE Secondary (Mathematics) here.

Considering a career as a secondary teacher of Modern Languages in the UK? The PGCE Secondary Languages course at BGU is tailored for you, whether it's a fresh career choice, a return after a break, or a desire for a change using your language skills. The course promotes diversity, welcoming applicants of various ages, backgrounds, and cultures, including native speakers.

Throughout training, you'll explore creative approaches to planning, teaching, and evaluating language lessons, covering communicative language teaching, language development, and the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Emphasis is on inclusive teaching principles, diversity, learner strategies, autonomy, grammar, cultural awareness, and technology in language teaching.

Your studies will encompass assessment methods supporting classroom learning, formative assessment, and the development of metacognitive skills. You will get the opportunity to create teaching materials and try out the latest teaching ideas in interactive lessons with other language trainees.

Given that languages are in high demand, completing this course opens doors for you to choose where you want to work, in the UK or abroad, making it an exciting and dynamic career prospect.

Apply for the PGCE Secondary (Modern Foreign Languages (French, Spanish, German)) here.

As a musician, you will have the opportunity to spend your working day sharing the subject you love with young people and hearing their creativity take shape, inspiring them with your own musicality. Many musicians wish to share their passion for music, just as they’ve been inspired by their own music teachers. You will develop your learners’ imaginative and creative thinking, extend their appraisal and compositional skills and encourage them to use music to express themselves through performance opportunities, motivating their learning and building their confidence.

As well as your teaching, you’ll get to know pupils outside the classroom through extra-curricular activities such as concerts and shows, seeing a wonderful, creative side of the young people in your school. You will work alongside enthusiastic music lecturers who delight in the opportunity to work with the next generation of music teachers. The course will equip you to become an outstanding secondary school teacher and facilitator of music, where you will learn to plan and deliver lessons in exciting, innovative and meaningful ways.

Apply for the PGCE Secondary (Music) here.

Physical education does more than improve physical fitness, motor skills and well-being. It also empowers individuals to understand their health, develops the skills of teamwork, cooperation, and goal setting, and reduces stress. Evidence shows us that exposing learners to a positive school experience in Physical Education can contribute to the development of healthy behaviours. Physical Education teachers can and do influence learners to make positive choices regarding physical activity, nutrition, and leisure. Outstanding Physical Education teachers change lives for the better.

Our highly experienced and supportive course tutors guide you on your journey from Physical Education performer to Physical Education teacher. In addition to your university sessions, you will spend two-thirds of the year in partner schools, working with school-based colleagues to develop your abilities to promote effective learning among 11-16-year-olds.

This course is demanding and stimulating, creating competent and reflective Physical Education teachers. If you would like an informal chat about the course, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

If you have a degree in a sports-related subject and an A level in one of the EBACC subjects, English Language or Literature, Mathematics, the Sciences, Geography, History or a language, then you are eligible to apply for our Physical Education with EBACC route to teacher training.

Physical Education does more than improve physical fitness, motor skills and well-being. It also empowers individuals to understand their health, develops the skills of teamwork, cooperation, and goal setting, and reduces stress. Evidence shows us that exposing learners to a positive school experience in Physical Education can contribute to the development of healthy behaviours. Physical Education teachers can and do influence learners to make positive choices regarding physical activity, nutrition and leisure. Outstanding Physical Education teachers change lives for the better.

Our highly experienced and supportive course tutors guide you on your journey from Physical Education performer to Physical Education teacher. In addition to your university sessions, you will spend two-thirds of the year in partner schools, working with school-based colleagues to develop your abilities to promote effective learning among 11-16-year-olds.

This course is demanding and stimulating, creating competent and reflective Physical Education teachers. If you would like an informal chat about the course, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

The physicist Otto Robert Frisch said “Scientists have one thing in common with children; curiosity”. Being a science teacher allows you to share your passion for science with young people, harnessing their natural curiosity for the world around them. Whether it is Physics, Chemistry or Biology that is your specialism, training to be a teacher of science is a privilege.

The PGCE in secondary science considers all aspects of teaching and learning in the secondary science classroom. You will learn subject specific skills such as how to use analogies to explain difficult scientific concepts, what barriers students might need help overcoming and how to safely manage the practical science classroom. Whilst you may have a science specialism, you will learn the skill of how to teach all three sciences to Key Stage 4.

The course is delivered using a variety of methods including practical sessions, discussion, taught sessions, a field trip and more. The university sessions are a great way to discuss ideas and find solutions with fellow trainees and your University Based Mentor.

Apply for the PGCE Secondary (Science with Biology, Chemistry, or Physics) here.

PGCE social science offers a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical teaching skills, equipping you to inspire critical thinkers and engaged citizens.

Imagine a classroom where you empower students to question societal norms, consider human thought and behaviour or develop vocational skills for the health sector. From sociology to criminology, psychology to health and social care, the 14-19 PGCE in social science encompasses a wider range of disciplines. The course allows you to teach social science and focus on your specialism at key stage 5, and the opportunity to teach a related subject at key stage 4.

With our PGCE, you will become part of a community dedicated to educational excellence. Embrace this opportunity to motivate, provoke thought, and create a lasting influence on next generation of social scientists.

Apply for the PGCE Secondary (Social Science) here.