Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Secondary (with Qualified Teacher Status QTS)

Overview

The Secondary PGCE forms a practical introduction to teaching. You'll develop the professional expertise, knowledge and understanding to teach secondary-age children. You will also gain experience teaching at the post-16 level.

We offer the following Secondary PGCE courses:

• Computing
• Design & Technology
• English
• Geography
• History
• Mathematics
• French
• French with German
• French with Spanish
• German with French
• Spanish
• Spanish with French
• Spanish with German
• Science with Biology Specialism
• Science with Chemistry Specialism
• Science with Physics Specialism

An understanding of the relationship between theory, practice and research underpins this PGCE.

You'll graduate with a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) if you:

• complete these components
• meet the Teachers’ Standards through your practical engagement in schools

PGCE Information session

Join our PGCE information session to learn about routes into teaching, including the teacher training opportunities at Newcastle University, funding available and how to use the national application portal.  

On campus event: Monday 18 March, 5-4pm
Online event: Tuesday 19 March, 5-6pm

Find out more and sign up to our information session

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

During the PGCE you will undertake 60 credits of master's-level modules. The course modules take place in school and classroom practice. They work to complement your experiences - enhancing outcomes and your professional development.

During your training at Newcastle University you will:

• develop the core knowledge, skills and understanding expected of Early Career Teachers (ECTs)
• extend your awareness of effective teaching in your subject area. You'll do this through subject-based/curriculum studies

The course emphasis is on enhancing the learning and welfare of young people. The research interests of our staff support these key interests.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Postgraduate Certificate in Education Secondary modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Subject Pedagogy in Practice	20
Developing Critical Perspectives on Teaching Thinking Skills	20
Curriculum Development Through Enquiry in Practice	20

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

The Secondary PGCE course starts in early September and continues until June. The course structure follows school term dates as opposed to university semesters.
Newcastle University sessions will take place (typically) one day a week during semester one. The majority of sessions will be in-person, though occasionally sessions will take place online. Other learning, training and discussion opportunities include:

• workshops
• seminars
• 1:1 tutorials
• lectures
• conferences
• online interactive video observation

There are two school placements. The first runs from September to December and the second runs from January to June.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Essay
• Observation of professional practice
• Oral presentation
• Poster
• Portfolio
• Reflective log

Additional assessment information

The Secondary PGCE course has a focus on learning from experience, through reflection and enquiry. This process of reflective enquiry underpins the development of teaching skills. It also forms the basis for the written work submitted as part of your PGCE.

 

Student support

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your development

Placements

Teaching placements provide a practical and theoretical foundation for your professional journey. A significant proportion of the programme involves school-based practice.

Placement one runs from September to December. Placement two (in a second school) runs from January to June. During this time there will be periods of observation and periods of teaching practice, with the number of lessons you will teach increasing over time. These placements allow you to gain a thorough and immersive experience and allow staff to supervise your progress towards Qualified Teacher Status.

Newcastle University has positive, long-standing relationships with partner schools across the North East. This helps us to provide you with a range of experiences across a range of school contexts.

Your future

On completion of the Secondary PGCE, you can continue your studies part-time on our Practitioner Enquiry MEd.

The MEd focuses on teaching and learning in school settings. It also draws on your day-to-day teaching experience.

Our PGCE graduates gain fast-track entry onto the course. This allows you to complete the Practitioner Enquiry MEd in two years.

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

As part of the Secondary PGCE course, you'll have access to our:

• resource Centre
• IT service and computer clusters
• library services

You'll have access to two postgraduate research student study rooms. The largest study toom has recently been upgraded with additional workstations and soft seating area.

We have two on-site clinics:

• the Tavistock North East Aphasia Centre
• the Children's Speech and Language Therapy Clinic

We also have a well-equipped resource centre.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Home student fees - PGCE

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by the UK government.

See the Department for Education website for postgraduate teacher training funding opportunities.

Tuition fee increases

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

How to apply

Open days and events

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

• campus tours
• on-campus open days
• virtual open days
• webinars

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events