Taught course
English Secondary (11-16 years)
Entry requirements
An honours degree in a relevant subject, with approximately 50% English content and a classification of at least 2:2. GCSE Mathematics and English language at grade C (Grade 4) or above, or equivalent. All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview. All offers are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and Occupational Health clearance.
Applicants whose first language is not English, and who do not have GCSE English language at grade C (Grade 4) or above, require English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component less than 6.0.
Months of entry
September
Course content
Overview
If you're looking for a rewarding career where you can make a positive difference to young people's lives, secondary teaching is a great choice.
On our secondary PGCE degrees - which were rated 'Outstanding' in Ofsted's latest review - you'll gain the skills and confidence you need to become an outstanding secondary school teacher.
On each of these teacher training degrees, you'll be supported by our tutors and school-based mentors as you learn to plan and deliver lessons with strong subject knowledge, confidence and imagination, while reflecting on what it means to teach at secondary level. You can study full time over one year, or part time over two.
We've got excellent links with many secondary schools in the region – so when you finish your PGCE, you'll graduate with excellent career prospects, and eligibility for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - the teaching qualification you'll need to teach in secondary schools in England and Wales.
What you'll experience
Our secondary PGCEs have three interconnected strands – Curriculum Studies, Professional Studies and School Experience – so the skills and knowledge you pick up can be practised and built on with teaching experience.
You'll hone your secondary teaching skills in whichever of the following subject areas you choose:
- English
- Mathematics
- Geography
- Modern Foreign Languages
- Science (with biology, physics or chemistry)
Course highlights
- Gain the skills, confidence and expertise to earn Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - the teaching qualification you'll need to become a secondary school teacher in the UK and overseas
- Develop your teaching skills through work placements in real secondary schools and the study of theories and contemporary issues in secondary education
- Share your experience and learn from other PGCE students through lectures and seminars
- Learn key teaching skills, including lesson planning, classroom management, and special needs and inclusion
- Develop secondary-level knowledge in a subject area of your choice
- Work closely with mentors and other secondary school staff as part of your teacher training
- Study a range of topics including pedagogy and practice based research, lesson planning, behaviour management, assessment, and special education needs and inclusion
Careers and opportunities
After you graduate this PGCE for secondary education, you'll be ready to start your teaching career on a minimum starting salary of £30,000, depending on where you teach in the UK. Over 90 per cent of Portsmouth PGCE graduates go into full-time teaching.
A PGCE, or Postgraduate Certificate in Education, is a teaching qualification recognised all over the world, so you'll also be able to teach overseas too, such as in Australia, Canada and the USA.
Once you're an established secondary teacher, you'll also have opportunities for further career progression in roles including Year Head and Subject Lead.
You could also go on to further study - this secondary PGCE will earn you 60 postgraduate credits you could put towards a full Master's degree (worth 180 credits) in the future.
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from your tutors and from our Careers and Employability Centre, which you can access for 5 years after you graduate.
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- Support starting your own business
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- PGCE
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Admissions Team
- admissions@port.ac.uk
- Phone
- 023 9284 5566