PGCE Secondary History with QTS

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 history. 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.

You can apply with GCSEs pending for this course and in exceptional circumstances Manchester Met GCSE equivalency tests may be offered. This will be at the discretion of the admissions tutor and will only be offered if considered appropriate after interview.

Experience in educational settings

Successful candidates will demonstrate a good understanding of teaching and learning within a secondary school setting. 

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

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.

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

You’ll explore inclusive ways to teach history, and develop your ability to teach different historical concepts such as causation, interpretation, change and continuity.

Some of the key topics you’ll study include how to use sources in the history classroom, the importance of reading and writing when learning history and how to make the history curriculum relevant and inclusive.

You will typically have a series of seminars with guest lectures from The National Archives, exam boards, The Holocaust Education Trust, as well as from experienced teachers in schools to help you explore different areas of the history curriculum and how to teach them. 

When you are in university, you’ll study mainly with your PGCE History group. You will consider how to plan lessons, reflect on your planning, learn how research can develop your teaching practice, and look at ways to develop your teacher persona.

You’ll also learn through peer-collaboration, and sharing knowledge with your fellow history trainees to develop your subject knowledge. 

This PGCE is available via University-led and School Direct routes.