Taught course

PGCE Secondary Computing with QTS

Institution
Manchester Metropolitan University · Faculty of Education
Qualifications
PGCE(QTS)

Entry requirements

Degree

You will normally have a minimum of a 2:2 undergraduate honours degree awarded by a UK university, or an equivalent higher education qualification. Your degree needs to support the subject knowledge requirements of the national curriculum for computing. For exceptional candidates, particularly those with substantial relevant work experience in schools or relevant occupations, we will consider applications from those who hold a 3rd class degree.

GCSEs
You will also need GCSEs at grade C/4 or above in English language and mathematics. However, you may be able to apply with GCSEs pending for this course as we can offer Manchester Met GCSE equivalency tests. This will be at the discretion of the admissions tutor, and only offered if considered appropriate after interview.

We do not accept the following qualifications as equivalent to GCSE: adult numeracy and literacy, functional skills or key skills

Experience in educational settings

Successful candidates will demonstrate a good understanding of teaching and learning.  You may wish to evidence your understanding by drawing on related examples or experiences, such as time spent in schools or other learning settings.

Other requirements

  • An ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written English.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • An informed and realistic understanding of the complexities and challenge of teaching in a secondary school.
  • An understanding of how learning develops within an engaging rich and broad context, with recognition of the contribution made by parents and carers.
  • Personal qualities and abilities appropriate to becoming an effective teacher, including a strong motivation to teach young students, an ability to express personal views with clarity and conviction, to listen and respond appropriately to the views of others, awareness of, and commitment to, issues relating to equal opportunities and providing all students with an inclusive learning environment.
  • Intellectual capacity to critically reflect upon experience and personal challenges.

A Disclosure and Barring Service Check and DfE Fitness to Teach test are also required.

Overseas

Overseas candidates should have Cambridge Proficiency in English or IELTS Band 7 with no less than 6.0 in any element.

Personal Statement

This plays an important role in the admissions process and successful candidates will demonstrate a good understanding of teaching and learning within a secondary school setting. Candidates may wish to evidence their understanding by drawing on related examples or experiences, such as time spent in schools or other learning settings.

Interview

You will be expected to attend an interview as part of the application process. Full details of your interview will be provided by email once your initial application has been approved.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) prepares you to teach the secondary school computing curriculum for the 11-16 age range.

You’ll explore how to teach children computing and digital skills through hands-on activities such as programming and practical projects using Microbits, Raspberry Pi's and robots.

The sessions will include looking at recent pedagogy and learning how to teach the theoretical aspects of the subject including binary conversions, algorithms, data structures, and networks. In the sessions you’ll look at how digital safety is taught, and you’ll also consider different aspects of virtual learning for teaching computing in school.

Peer teaching will allow you to work on GCSE and A-level theory topics, so that you understand how students will learn in your classroom. Some of the topics you might cover are programming languages or how to assess a pupil’s use of HTML to create a web page.

You’ll also have guest lectures from people working in industry, such as representatives from the Computing at School community of practice and exam boards. 

This PGCE is available via University led and School Direct routes

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • PGCE(QTS)
    full time
    12 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Course Enquiries
Email
courses@mmu.ac.uk
Phone
+44 (0)161 247 6969