PGCE Secondary Music with Specialist Instrument Teaching with QTS

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

This is a practical course where you will be immersed in music making and teaching and encouraged to develop and apply your own musical skills.  You’ll be taught through hands-on sessions and explore topics that support musical learning, using both acoustic and digital instruments to strengthen your subject knowledge. You’ll consider creative and inclusive approaches to teaching music and ways to engage pupils in meaningful musical experiences. 

A key focus of the course is on teaching music musically. You’ll learn how to plan and deliver lessons that are rich in musical content and activity—lessons that enable pupils to make, understand, and enjoy music, rather than simply learn about it.

You’ll also actively explore how music education can promote inclusion and support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), developing strategies that make music accessible and relevant for all learners.

On the specialist instrumental teaching route, you’ll receive additional subject knowledge development in your first instrument and its wider family. As part of your placement timetable, you’ll also gain experience in possibly delivering individual, small group, and large group instrumental tuition, helping to prepare you for teaching both in schools and through music hub or peripatetic roles. The focus is to see the pupil(s) at the centre of the musical experience and how the varying facets contribute to their overall musical development and progress.

We have a strong partnership with the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), with elements of the course co-delivered by RNCM colleagues.

While at Manchester Met, you’ll mainly study within your PGCE music group – one of your greatest learning resources.
You’ll learn how to plan and evaluate lessons, reflect on your practice, explore how research informs effective teaching, and develop your teacher persona. Peer collaboration is central to the course, giving you opportunities to share knowledge and experience with your fellow trainees.