Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Secondary (with Qualified Teacher Status QTS)
The Secondary PGCE gives an introduction to teaching. It provides the knowledge needed to teach secondary-age children. This includes post-sixteen enhancement.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2023
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:
- English
- Geography
- Mathematics
- French
- French with German
- French with Spanish
- German with French
- Spanish
- Spanish with French
- Spanish with German
- Secondary Science with Biology Specialism
- Secondary Science with Chemistry Specialism
- Secondary 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
Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
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 2022-23.
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.
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.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
How you'll learn
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.
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Essay
- Observation of professional practice
- Oral presentation
- Poster
- Portfolio
- Reflective log
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.
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.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
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:
We also have a well-equipped resource centre.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2023 entry (per year)
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.
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
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
Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.
Find out more about:
- additional costs
- living costs
- tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts
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.
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
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2023 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
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Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
PGCE Admissions
School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences
Email: pgce-education@ncl.ac.uk
Online
For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.
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