PGCE Secondary Education in Science with Physics with QTS
Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
PGCE Secondary Education in Science with Physics with QTS
Overview
The PGCE Secondary Education in Science with Physics degree will qualify you to teach physics at secondary level in any state-maintained school in England. This one year PGCE Physics course blends theoretical knowledge with carefully supervised teaching experience. You will attend placements in a variety of educational settings, to gain a broad understanding of the realities of secondary level teaching.
Why us?
- Funding for trainee teachers is available with tax-free bursaries of up to £29,000 for Physics trainees
- Graduate with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and be eligible to teach in any state-maintained secondary school in England
- All qualified teachers will have a starting salary of at least £31,650, and this will be higher for teachers working in London
- The course is designed to enable you to spend 120 days in a school or other educational institution
Course structure
Placements are an important part of this PGCE Physics course. During that time, you will benefit from practical learning and be supported by school-based trainers and University-based tutors.
Your progress will be assessed with written assignments, case studies and assessments of your teaching practice.
This course is a mixture of University-based learning and in-school training. The course is designed to enable you to spend 120 days in a school or other educational institution.
Course modules
Emerging Professional Practice in Secondary Education with Subject Studies (30 credits)
This module will allow you to begin experiencing life in teaching institutions to help you gain professional knowledge around teaching and learning and start to make judgements about the routines, skills, and strategies that support effective teaching. You'll investigate the key content of subject areas taught within the curriculum, considering a variety of approaches to teaching your subject specialism and identifying common misconceptions.
Professional Practice in Secondary Education with Subject Studies (30 credits)
In this module, you'll continue to build on your knowledge around teaching and learning, gaining a variety of experience in a work-based learning environment to meet professional standards identified in government legislation. You'll continue to investigate the content of subject areas taught within the curriculum, considering the different approaches to teaching your own subject specialism. You'll also formulate skillful questioning to reveal levels of pupil understanding, encouraging pupils to take responsibility for their own academic progress.
Professional Learning in Secondary Education (30 credits)
This module will help you identify, refine, and develop knowledge and understanding of pedagogical approaches, adaptive teaching, planning, and assessment strategies. You'll reflect on pedagogical approaches by linking theory to practice in a reflective journal and present on your developed understanding of professional learning.
Subject Research Study in Secondary Education (30 credits)
This module will give you the opportunity to undertake a piece of independent academic study related to your subject specialism and engage in intellectual challenge and dialogue. You'll develop both general and subject specific knowledge and skills to enhance your ability to transfer learning to further study and the workplace.
Facilities
You'll be based at the recently refurbished Wearside View, situated on the award-winning Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's. This stunning riverside location benefits from dedicated library services and has superb transport links with the city centre and City Campus.
Entry requirements
Our typical offer is:
- Qualification | Minimum grade
- a bachelor's degree (3 years) | 2:2 classification
If you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article.
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.
If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at for further advice.
In addition to academic qualifications, you must also:
- Have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- Complete a medical pro forma (based on DFEE Circular 8/92).
Your numeracy and literacy competency will be assessed continuously throughout the course, following the DfE’s removal of the Professional Skills Test.
If English isn't your first language, you'll also need International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at a score of 6.5, with at least 6.5 in writing, and no section below 6.0.
You'll be assessed on your potential to learn and not your experience.
All successful applicants will be invited to an interview. Interviews start early November, so we recommend that you apply as soon as DfE opens in October.
Please note, applicants with a foundation degree will need to supplement this qualification with at least 60 credits at level 6 (HE level 3) in order to attain an equivalent single qualification.
Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.
Fees and finance
The annual, full-time fee for this course is:
- £9,535 if you are from the UK/Europe
- £16,500 if you're an international student
*Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2025/26 will be £9,535. You will pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.
Read more about EU fees and funding in our Help and Advice article.
Physics teachers are in short supply nationally. The Department for Education has announced training bursaries of £29,000 and scholarships of £31,000 for trainees who meet the eligibility criteria. See the Get into Teaching website for more details.
Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
Career ready
This degree awards Qualified Teacher Status, which means that when you graduate you’ll be qualified to teach in any state-maintained secondary school in England. Most graduates from this course go on to become secondary school teachers.
Good teachers are always in high demand. All qualified teachers will have a starting salary of at least £31,650, and this will be higher for teachers working in London. The amount you earn will then increase until you reach the top end of your pay scale, after which you can choose to progress into more senior roles, such as leading practitioner or head teacher.
The teachers’ pension scheme is also one of the most generous public sector pension schemes in the UK, one of the few guaranteed by the Government.
School placements
The University of Sunderland has partnerships with over 650 schools, colleges and other educational establishments across the North East and beyond. The course is designed to enable you to spend 120 days in a school or other educational institution. We’ll work with you to try and find you the perfect teaching placement – schools that can nurture and support your aspirations and interests, and help you become the best secondary school teacher you can be. When you’re ready to start searching for a teaching job, you will already have valuable first-hand teaching experience, as well as a wide network of professional contacts who can help you find the right career opportunities.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
PGCE Science with Physics Secondary Education
is a one-year program that equips individuals with the necessary qualifications to teach physics at secondary schools in England. It combines theoretical knowledge with supervised teaching experience.
Objectives:
- Equip individuals to become effective physics teachers in secondary schools.
- Develop a deep understanding of physics and teaching methodologies.
- Provide practical teaching experience through placements in various educational settings.
Program Description:
This intensive program blends university-based lectures, seminars, and workshops with practical school placements. It emphasizes developing subject knowledge, pedagogical skills, and classroom management techniques. Individuals gain valuable experience teaching diverse student groups in a range of educational contexts.
Outline:
Program Content:
- Physics pedagogy
- Curriculum development
- Assessment and evaluation
- Classroom management
- Subject knowledge enhancement
- Professional development
Program Structure:
- One-year full-time program
- University-based modules
- School placements (120 days)
- Written assignments
- Case studies
- Teaching practice assessments
Course Modules:
Practice of Teaching (30 credits):
- Develops professional teaching knowledge and skills through placements in schools.
- Focuses on effective teaching routines, skills, and strategies.
- Provides experience in a diverse working environment.
- Meets professional standards set by the government.
Development of Learning: A Case Study (30 credits):
- Introduces research methods in the context of school policy and practice.
- Analyzes the school's approach to meeting individual learning needs of pupils.
- Demonstrates the development of learning over time or identifies potential improvements.
Subject Studies (30 credits):
- Investigates the content of physics within the secondary school curriculum.
- Considers various approaches to teaching specific topics and subject areas.
- Develops effective questioning techniques to assess student understanding.
- Explores strategies to motivate pupils and foster problem-solving abilities.
- Designs challenging homework assignments that encourage academic progress.
Negotiated Individual Study in Education (30 credits):
- Conducts independent research related to professional development.
- Engages in intellectual challenges and dialogues.
- Develops general and specific knowledge and skills for career advancement.
Prerequisites:
Some modules may have prerequisites. Refer to the university's Help and Advice article for details.
Assessment:
Assessment Methods:
- Written assignments
- Case studies
- Teaching practice assessments
Assessment Criteria:
- Subject knowledge and understanding
- Pedagogical skills
- Classroom management
- Professionalism and ethics
- Reflection and evaluation ## Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
- University lectures, seminars, and workshops
- Supervised school placements
- Individual and group tutorials
- Online learning resources
Faculty:
- Experienced physics educators with expertise in teaching and research
- Supportive and dedicated teaching staff
Unique Approaches:
- Focus on practical teaching experience through school placements
- Emphasis on developing subject knowledge and pedagogical skills
- Integration of technology into teaching and learning ## Careers:
Career Paths:
- Physics teacher in secondary schools
- Curriculum developer
- Educational consultant
- Educational researcher
Career Opportunities:
- Teaching positions in state-maintained secondary schools
- Private tutoring
- Educational publishing
- Educational technology companies
Career Outcomes:
- Graduates are well-prepared to enter teaching careers and contribute positively to the field of education.
- They possess the skills and knowledge to become effective and inspiring physics teachers. ## Other:
Funding:
- Funding is available for trainee teachers with bursaries of up to £28,000 for Physics trainees.
- The course is designed to enable individuals to spend 120 days in a school or other educational institution.
Salaries:
- All qualified teachers earn a starting salary of at least £30,000, which increases for teachers working in London.
- The salary increases steadily until reaching the top of the pay scale, with opportunities for advancement into leadership roles.
Pensions:
- Teachers' pension scheme is one of the most generous public sector pension schemes in the UK. ## Additional Information:
- The course is subject to revalidation to meet the requirements for Initial Teacher Training from 2024.
- This information is accurate as of March 28, 2024.
- The University aims to provide clear and timely information to prospective students, with updates communicated in writing.
Tuition Fees and Payment Information:
- £9,250 if you're from the UK/Europe
- Please note, this course is currently closed to international applicants.
- European Union (EU), EEA (European Economic Area), and Swiss nationals who don't qualify for the EU Settlement Scheme are classed as international, however, for 24/25 admission, you'll receive a European student fee scholarship and will pay the home tuition fee rate for the duration of your studies. The discounted fee will be reflected in your offer letter. Learn more in our Help and Advice article.