PGCE Secondary with Biology (with QTS)

Entry requirements

• Bachelors degree with Honours at 2:2 or above, or equivalent level.
• At least Grade C or the new Grade 4 in GCSE English and Mathematics.*

Equivalency Tests

We are able to accept approved third party equivalency tests in place of GCSEs. The current providers that have been approved are as follows, with details of the current discounts that are available. If you are intending to use another equivalency testing company, we recommend you contact our admissions team prior to doing so to ensure that they meet the entry criteria.

Equivalency Testing

• Why choose Equivalency Testing?
• Long standing company
• Excellent student support
• Secure testing
• Good and quick feedback
• Significant discount available for PGCE offer holders, please email cte.admissions@warwick.ac.uk for the code.

A Star Equivalency**

Why chose A Star Equivalency?

• Excellent student support
• A clear outline of required material in each exam

• Rolling programme of live online subject specific support sessions.
• An extensive range of free support material
• Practice papers and marking schemes
• Discounted from £165* to £139 (saving £26). Please contact cte.admissions@warwick.ac.uk for the discount code.

If you are intending to use another equivalency testing company, we recommend you contact our admissions team prior to doing so to ensure that they meet the entry criteria.

*The new grading system for those receiving their results for GCSE Maths and English was adopted in 2017. The grading system is now 9-1, with Grade 9 awarded to those students in the very top tier. Grade 4 is considered equivalent to the old Grade C.

**Special offer for the University of Warwick students. Maths exams are available in Foundation or Higher. English, Science and Biology are untiered

If students require further support, we offer a range of low-cost options.

Months of entry

September

Course content

At school and university, you enjoyed exploring the intricacies of living organisms, or understanding the complexity of ecosystems, or perhaps discovering the marvels of cellular processes evokes great memories. Unlocking the code of genetics and DNA or the practical investigation of life processes perhaps marked the highlights of your learning. Now, there is an opportunity to ignite that same curiosity and passion for the biological sciences in your own students.

As a secondary school biology teacher, you will play a pivotal role in helping young minds grasp the biological principles that explain life on Earth. Biology offers a unique lens to understand the complexity and beauty of living systems, and as a biology teacher, you’ll have the privilege of nurturing the next generation of life science researchers, doctors, and environmentalists.

Our PGCE Biology programme is specifically designed for graduates with a background in Biology or related fields such as Zoology, Botany, Microbiology, Ecology, or Biomedical Sciences. It combines rigorous academic study with extensive school-based experience to prepare you for a rewarding career in secondary education.

Through university-based training, you will gain a comprehensive foundation in teaching theory and practical techniques, learning how to design engaging lessons, manage diverse classroom environments, and adapt your teaching strategies to accommodate the varied needs of students. You’ll explore a range of evidence-based teaching methodologies, all grounded in the latest educational research.

School placements are a fundamental component of the course, providing you with practical, hands-on experience in the classroom. Working alongside experienced mentors, you will gradually assume responsibilities for planning, teaching, and assessing lessons, developing the confidence and skills essential for teaching science and leading biology education.

The programme culminates in a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), preparing you to be successful in teaching biology at secondary level. You will also learn how to teach Chemistry and Physics to younger secondary students, giving you the advantage of employability in a range of school science departments.

Course overview

Our Secondary Postgraduate Certificate in Education focuses on the 11-18 age range. Our course will develop you into a highly effective teacher, equipped with the values, skills and knowledge to become a successful school leader.

Our courses offer the best of both immersive, school-based training and regular teaching input from experts with subject specialist teaching experience. In addition, you can access the support and learning facilities of a world-class university.

On the course you will develop a secure subject knowledge base, and the ability to plan and teach in your subject so that all pupils learn and make good progress. You will learn how to assess and evaluate learning and develop your teaching to ensure progress for all pupils. You will also learn about the needs of pupils and how to adapt your teaching to strengthen inclusion in your teaching.

In partnership with regional schools, we will ensure that you have the skills and knowledge needed to forge a strong personal and professional identity, which you will continue to develop throughout your career. The Warwick Teacher Values, of Social Justice, Intellectual Curiosity and Creativity run through all our programmes.

What is a PGCE?

A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is usually a one-year teacher training course. It offers a mixture of academic and practical learning, and it's the first step for graduates in the development of a teaching career. At Warwick, our PGCE courses provide a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS – a requirement to teach in the state school system as an Early Career Teacher).