Taught course

Postgraduate Certificate Secondary Education (QTS) - Religious Education

Institution
University of Birmingham · School of Education
Qualifications
PGCE(QTS)

Entry requirements

We expect candidates for the Secondary PGCE (QTS) to be able to demonstrate the academic quality to teach the subject that they will be training to teach. This will include a strong academic record at A level or equivalent in relevant subjects, along with a strong degree (usually a minimum of 2:2) relevant to the subject taught. In all cases we will be looking at the relevance of your degree, other qualifications and experiences related to your proposed teaching subject in assessing academic suitability. You must also have GCSE Mathematics and English (Grade 4/C or above) or equivalent qualifications which will be a condition of any offer, if not already achieved. Equivalency tests will be accepted but only from equivalency testing.

All applicants to the Religious Education PGCE (QTS) course must hold a degree from a UK Higher Education Institution or an equivalent qualification. Normally this should be a minimum of 2:2 or equivalent qualification and this will be a condition of any offer where the degree has not already been awarded. Your degree should normally have 50% Religious Studies, Philosophy or Theology content. Graduates with Sociology, Ancient or Modern History, Classics or Politics who also have a good pass in A level Religious Education, Religious Studies, Philosophy or Critical Thinking are also invited to apply.

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact us on ITEadmissions@contacts.bham.ac.uk

You must also:

  • complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before taking up a place.
  • complete relevant checks to ensure you have the health and physical capacity to teach.
  • agree to abide by the University of Birmingham Code of Professional Conduct and Fitness to Practise.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Religious Education) leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Our programme, which offers high quality training and support, will prepare you to teach in the 11-18 age range and is run in close partnership with schools.

On our Postgraduate Certificate Secondary Education (Religious Education) course you will be challenged to develop informed and justified decisions about how you approach your teaching, in order to enable you to continue to develop over your career. On the course you will develop a deep understanding of issues and complexities which surround the teaching and learning of Religious Education, Religious Studies, Philosophy and Ethics. We wish to develop you as a thinking teacher who can be aware of a variety of effective ways to teach Religious Education and make informed decisions about how you work with students.

The School of Education benefits from our unique collaboration with the University of Birmingham School as well as a wide range of partner schools, including mixed comprehensive, single sex, religious and selective schools and sixth form colleges. The diverse communities we serve will enrich your experience on the Religious Education course.

On successful completion of your PGCE, you may return to study with us on a part-time basis to complete your Masters in Teaching Studies.

You may be eligible for bursaries of up to £10,000, depending on qualifications (for 2024) in line with the government’s priority to attract more well qualified Religious Education teachers.

The School of Education at the University of Birmingham has a long tradition of delivering teacher training courses. Its teaching has been graded as 'outstanding' three times by Ofsted inspectors which affirms the University’s status as one of the UK’s leading institutions for excellence in teacher training.

Why teach religious education?

On the Culham St Gabriel's website, you can find out more about how a career as a teacher of RE can work for you and watch their webinar with discussion from current RE teachers.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

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

Course contact details