Secondary English
Entry requirements
You are normally required to have at least a 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent from a university outside the UK) in a subject that is related to the subject.
You will need to have achieved Grade 4 (or C) or above in GCSE Mathematics and English Language or equivalent qualifications.
As part of the application process for this programme, you will be required to attend an interview.
You will also need to demonstrate competence in Fundamental English and mathematics by the end of the course. This is a new DfE requirement which replaces the QTS skills tests in literacy and numeracy.
If you accept an offer with us you will also be required to successfully complete Occupational Health and Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure checks.
Months of entry
September
Course content
Study our PGCE Secondary English at the Institute of Education and benefit from highly experienced tutors and consistently high employment rates.
This Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Secondary English course leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), qualifying you to teach the 11-18 age group in secondary schools in England and Wales.
We recognise the importance of being able to teach children to think, create and explore the world through language and literature.
Training to teach English at the University of Reading is a dynamic, cutting edge and practical experience, which will enable you to share your passion for English with pupils, and develop professional skills so that you can become an excellent English teacher.
The course is linked with the National Association for the Teaching of English (NATE) and provides great networking and professional learning within a community of English teachers. This is at the heart of what we do.
We pride ourselves on the high quality of our teaching support, and your studies will include a blended mix of pedagogy sessions, professional studies, and school experience. This consists of around 50 three-hour taught subject sessions and 10 Professional Studies sessions over the course of the year.
Subject pedagogy sessions include:
- teaching reading and literature
- teaching writing
- teaching talk and oracy
- teaching grammar, language, vocabulary and spelling
- teaching poetry
- teaching media in English
- teaching Shakespeare
- planning, progress and assessment
- teaching and using drama in English
- adaptive teaching in English
- creativity in English.
These sessions are taught by highly experienced University tutors, with additional guest presenters drawn from the Institute of Education, several of our partnership schools, and beyond.
Sessions are evidence-informed and seek to give trainees the opportunity to explore the connections between research and practice in a collaborative and stimulating environment.
Trainees are fully supported in school by University-trained subject mentors, and their progress is monitored closely by University tutors.
Information for international students
IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5
Fees and funding
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
The Department for Education (DfE) also offer a range of scholarships and bursaries. To find out if you may be eligible, visit their bursaries and scholarships webpage.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- PGCE
- full time10 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Global Recruitment Team
- student.recruitment@reading.ac.uk