PGCE Secondary - Geography

Entry requirements

At UCAS you can apply for this course by using the following code: F8X1

• The equivalent of a UK 2:2 honours degree of which approximately 50% is comprised of Geography or a closely related subject. If your degree is from an overseas institution you must apply for a Statement of Comparability from NARIC
• A demonstrable interest and involvement in the lives and development of young people

Your interpersonal qualities and your potential to achieve professional skills relating to the Teachers' Standards will be considered when making an admissions decision. Candidates who meet the criteria, will be invited to an interview. The interview processwill involve an individual interview with a pre-prepared presentation element and a series of tasks designed to illustrate your potential to meet the Teachers' Standards by the end of the course.

Successful candidates will receive an offer conditional upon successful medical and criminal record checks. The latter is carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service and full instructions on how to apply for a DBS Disclosure will be provided.

If you have a criminal record of any kind, you may contact the School of Education DBS Manager, Caroline Emery, for further advice and information. All enquiries will be treated in confidence.

We strongly encourage you to register for the DBS Update Service, which lets you take your certificate from one employer to another without having to apply for a new check.

Please note, all DBS Enhanced Disclosures for our Students must be applied for through Durham University unless you have applied to the Update Service.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The PGCE Secondary – Geography introduces you to the range and scope of geography as a curriculum subject across the 11-16 age range. The course is accredited by the DfE and upon successful completion you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Developing both subject knowledge and pedagogical skills, you will examine the techniques employed by the most experienced teachers to make geography accessible and stimulating to pupils of all backgrounds. You will learn to support young learners to think critically about the world around them, while also exploring inventive ways to build their knowledge and understanding of key geography concepts including space and place, the ways in which human life is affected by the environment and, increasingly, how human activity affects the environment.

Durham’s School of Education is internationally recognised for research, and the learning themes of the PGCE are underpinned by ongoing research within the School. Using a blend of online and face-to-face learning you will be introduced to key Initial Teacher Education (ITE) themes such as behaviour management, assessment, SEND and inclusion, before moving on to geography-specific themes.

The course offers a strong practical focus. Starting in one of our partner schools, you will be mentored by experienced geography teachers as you build the knowledge and strategies you will draw on during your teaching placement. There are also opportunities to get involved in planning and taking part in fieldwork, and undertaking fieldwork activities with local pupils. You will spend a substantial part of the year (120 days minimum) in school, bringing together the theory and application elements of the curriculum.

Please note that the course does not run to standard university terms. It is delivered full-time, starting in early September and continues over 10 months.

Course Structure

Teaching and Learning in the Curriculum – Generic Issues in School Based Education provides a critical understanding of models of teaching and learning and the theories that underpin these models. You will explore: research evidence for effective teaching and learning in the classroom; the teacher as reflective practitioner; teaching for understanding; creative dimensions of teaching and learning and; the teacher as an active researcher.

Self Directed Study – Subject Specific Issues in School Based Education uses research strategies learned on the course to examine a topic or issue of professional interest, deepening your knowledge and understanding of the area. This module draws together elements from other areas of the course and makes connections between university-based and professional school-based experiences.

The predominantly classroom-based Professional Issues in School Based Education fosters a critical understanding of issues related to the development of professional competence as a teacher. Areas covered include: effective teaching strategies; managing the teaching and learning environment; enhancing professional development; and creative dimensions of teaching and learning.

Information for international students

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

Fees and funding

For further information see the course listing.