Program Overview

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Secondary Education English PGCE

Course Overview

We offer students an exceptional training experience – if you’re looking for a lifelong, challenging and exciting career, teaching may well be for you.

During the training year, you will engage with and be exposed to a range of pedagogical approaches to enable you to become an outstanding teacher. As a part of our distinctive and ambitious curriculum, you will understand and apply your knowledge of:

• Dramatic Interpretation
• Canonical texts
• Textual Analysis
• Imaginative Interpretation

In the context of the core English curriculum in theory and on placement.

The PGCE will provide you with the opportunity to gain a deep understanding of key stages 3, 4 and 5. This will prepare you to adopt a range of learning, assessment and behavioural strategies to support consistent and engaged pupil progress.

The course gives high priority to developing your abilities in analysis, evaluation and autonomous learning. Placements in contrasting schools provide opportunities to develop your understanding of the teacher’s wider role.

You’ll be supported by a range of experienced professionals, both during school placements and by academic staff at the university. The programme aims to help you become an engaging and effective teacher within the 11–16 age range, and provides the input and opportunities that could enable you to teach post-16.

We were founded as a teaching college 175 years ago, and following the introduction of new quality requirements, our Initial Teacher Training (ITT) courses leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), have successfully achieved reaccreditation in 2022 by the Department of Education.

Our ITT courses have also recently been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, with inspectors highlighting their ‘unique’ emphasis on sustainability and the University’s strong partnership with schools.

A Brand-New Campus

It’s planned that this course will be taught at UoG’s new campus in Gloucester city centre from September 2025.

The vibrant campus will be at the heart of the regeneration of Gloucester city centre. It will bring an iconic building back to life as a modern centre for teaching, learning and community partnerships, through placements, research and outreach activity, and provide cutting-edge facilities for your course.

Study Style

The PGCE Secondary course is split into 3 phases which allow trainee teachers to learn and embed knowledge and skills related to their teaching practice.

• Developing – From September
• Broadening- From January
• Enhancing- From April

Developing phase Broadening phase Enhancing phase

During the Developing phase of the curriculum, trainees will attend university-based lectures and be introduced to the following Curriculum Key Themes;

• Behaviour Management and High Expectations
• Subject Knowledge and Curriculum Design
• Adaptive Practice and Inclusion
• Children’s Learning, Classroom Practice
• Assessment
• Professional and Ethical Practice.

During the Developing phase trainee teachers experience their first Intensive Training and Practice (ITaP) which is focused on Behaviour. Here, from week 3 of the course, trainee teachers gain experience in one of our Lead Partner Schools exploring how classroom routines and use of behaviour policies support effective learning. Trainee teachers get practical experience delivering sessions and receiving feedback in order to feel prepared for their first school Placement in October. During school-based training, trainees will revisit specific Curriculum Key Themes and attend university-based training sessions to support and develop their teaching practice.

During the Broadening phase , trainees will build upon and extend the knowledge and skills gained from school experiences and the university-based taught programme. Trainees will be expected to revisit and broaden their knowledge and practice of the 5 curriculum areas and Curriculum Key Themes introduced at the Developing Phase, and will engage with new Curriculum Key Themes, such as:

• Curriculum Design
• Subject Knowledge
• Sustainability
• Employability
• Research Informed Practice

In addition, trainees will take part in their second ITaP with a focus on adaptive practice. All trainees will gain experience in an SEND school and explore how to support and challenge all learners in their subject. During this phase of the curriculum, trainees will be supported to take on wider responsibilities as a part of the role of a trainee teacher and have opportunities to discuss, analyse and observe expert colleagues to support their progression through the Broadening Phase. Trainees will broaden their knowledge and experience of decolonising the curriculum, sustainability for education and other contemporary issues in education.

During the Enhancing phase , trainees will enhance and extend the knowledge, skills and experience gained previously. During the Enhancing Phase, trainees will be expected to revisit and extend their knowledge and practice of all 5 curriculum areas:

• Behaviour Management
• Pedagogy
• Curriculum
• Assessment
• Professional Behaviours

During this phase trainees will take part in their final ITaP with a focus on assessment, as well as developing a greater understanding of the KS2 and KS5 curriculum for their subject and taking part in a ‘Learning outside the classroom’ enhancement project.

At the end of the secondary programme, our highly employable trainees will be able to further enhance their professional development and draw upon the skills gained throughout the course to become

• Graduate Ambassadors of Education
• Leaders of Learning
• Outstanding Teachers
• Subject Experts

Entry Requirements

• Honours degree
  • An honours degree, normally at 2.2 or above (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.

If you do not hold a 2.2 or above, we may be able to consider your application but will require additional information.

If you do not hold a degree in a relevant subject we will be able to consider your application if you have other qualifications, such as A Levels or postgraduate qualifications in the subject.

• GCSE English Language and Maths
  • GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above, or an equivalent qualification.

If you don’t have a traditional GCSE, get in touch with our admissions team who will be able to advise you.

• Fitness to practice declaration
  • If you are offered a place on the programme you will be required to complete a health declaration, which will be assessed by the University Doctor.
• Safeguarding checks
  • The University of Gloucestershire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all our trainees to share this commitment.

If you are offered a place it will be subject to:

• Satisfactory Safeguarding checks including the receipt of a ‘satisfactory’ Enhanced DBS return including children’s barred list information
• Satisfactory completion of suitability form
• Verification of two references
• Satisfactory Certificate of Good conduct, where applicable, for those who have lived or worked abroad
• International students
  • Please read the entry requirements for your country – and contact our admissions team if you have questions.

Course Modules

You're viewing course modules for the Full Time (1 years) ages 11 - 16 course option. Choose a different course option to see corresponding course modules.

Here's an example of the types of modules you'll study (the contents and structure of the course are reviewed occasionally, but it is unlikely that there will be significant change).

Module information is not available for this programme.

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• Level 7 (Postgraduate)

All students must complete these modules:

• School Experience One: ITaP (PGS6007)

The module aims to develop trainees’ understanding of different groups of learners, pupil progress and learning. Trainees will develop their knowledge, understanding and practical teaching skills through Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) approaches. Drawing from their learning in other PGS modules, trainees will undertake a placement in one of a range of diverse partnership schools/settings where they will be expected to undertake planned teaching activities with targeted groups of pupils.

Learning and Teaching Activities
001: 100% Assignment: Individual: Practical School Experience

• School Experience Two: SP1 (PGS6008)

The module aims to develop and extend the trainees’ teaching skills following a school induction period. Drawing ON their learning from other PGS modules, trainees will undertake a minimum 45-day placement in a partnership school/setting where they will be expected to undertake planned teaching activities with groups and whole classes for approximately 9 - 11hrs of the teaching week.

Learning and Teaching Activities
001: 100% Assignment: Individual: Practical School Experience

• School Experience Three: SP2A and SP2B (PGS6009)

This school experience module aims to build on and enhance the trainees’ professional knowledge, understanding and teaching skills developed in PGS6008 and from their learning in other PGS modules. It provides opportunities for trainees to develop their teaching skills in readiness for potential entry to the teaching profession. The Professional Development Evidence File (PDE) will be used to set clear targets at the outset of the placement and training will be highly personalised to provide the necessary support and challenge for trainees.

Trainees will undertake a minimum 75-day placement in a partnership school/setting. In the Spring term they will be expected to undertake planned teaching for approximately 11-13 hours of the teaching week, moving to 13-15 hours in the Summer term.

Learning and Teaching Activities
001: 100% Practical Assessment: Individual: School Experience Three

• Professional Development Evidence File (PDE) (PGS7003)

The module aims to provide students with the opportunity to critically evaluate their own developing teaching skills, knowledge and understanding. Emphasis will be placed on the five core curriculum areas of Behaviour Management, Pedagogy, Curriculum, Assessment and Professional Behaviours (as outlined in ITT core framework). During this module, trainees are required to critically reflect on the evidence they have collated to demonstrate attainment against the Curriculum Assessment Descriptors (Developing, Broadening and Enhancing) during the training year, aiming to achieve at least the minimum requirements of the Broadening Phase. This module will support students to identify and evaluate the impact they have on how pupils learn and how their progress can be supported by high-quality teaching.

Learning and Teaching Activities
001: 100% Portfolio: Individual: UNKNOWN

• Teaching, Learning and Pedagogical Theory in the Secondary Curriculum (PGS7004)

The module aims to ensure trainees are able to draw upon the knowledge they have accrued on the five core curriculum areas: Behaviour Management, Pedagogy, Curriculum, Assessment and Professional Behaviours (as outlined in ITT core framework). Trainees will draw upon their learning from Subject Knowledge seminars; Professional Studies lectures and School Experience opportunities to inform their understanding of how children learn in the context in their relevant subject specialism.

Learning and Teaching Activities
001: 100% Presentation: Individual: 20 minutes

• School Research Enquiry: Curriculum Design and the Use of Assessment (PGS7005)

The module aims to ensure trainees can apply knowledge and understanding of curriculum design and effective use of assessment in the age phase(s) in which they are training to teach. Trainees will design an engaging medium-term plan, showing an understanding of developments in the relevant subject specialism and curriculum area. Trainees will demonstrate their understanding of how to support pupil progress through high quality curriculum delivery and evidence this through a presentation.

Scheduled Contact Hours: 50
Independent Learning Hours: 50
Scheduled Hours on Placement: 200
Assessment
001: 100% Presentation: Individual: 20 mins

Fees and Costs

You're viewing fees for the Full Time (1 years) ages 11 - 16 course option. Choose a different course option to see corresponding course fees.

A bursary of £10,000 is available for trainees studying this course in 2024 and 2025. To find out more, including other bursaries available, please visit the Gov.uk website.

Students usually support themselves through a postgraduate loan, private savings, family support or sponsorship from an employer. For advice and guidance on your funding options, contact the Money Advice team at or call .

UoG graduates receive 15% off postgraduate tuition fees. Terms apply.

Start date | Location | Course code | Fee (UK)
Fee per year | Fee (international)
Fee per year
---|---|---|---|---
Aug 2025 | City Campus, Gloucester | 3DMD | £9,535 | £17,425
Sep 2026 | City Campus, Gloucester | 3DMD | TBC | TBC
Sep 2027 | City Campus, Gloucester | 3DMD | TBC | TBC
International students can benefit from a range of scholarships and bursaries across many undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. | Find out more

Careers

Our vision is for all of our students to become graduate ambassadors for education, leaders of learning, outstanding teachers and subject experts.

Employment rates have been consistently high for graduates and we offer you the opportunity to gain Master’s credits which count towards a full Master’s degree. This can be used to take your career in secondary education to the next level at a subsequent time.

All students undertake Master’s level modules in addition to other compulsory modules. If you pass all elements of the course at Master’s level, the award title will carry Master’s credits and QTS.

Teaching Staff

Academic Course Leader

Rachel Sullivan

Academic Course Leader for Secondary Education English

Visit academic course leader's profile

View all teaching staff for this course

Choose from Eight Subject Specialisms

You can potentially combine Physical Education with Mathematics, English, History, Geography and a Science (subject to DfE approval) – however a minimum grade C in A Level for the EBacc subjects is required in addition to the general PGCE entry requirements. Although you’ll be equipped to teach the above subjects, the award gained will be in Physical Education. You’ll have weekly subject sessions with your Subject Leader throughout the programme.

Experience Teaching in a Minimum of Two Schools

Through our long-established networks, we can offer you a wide variety of placement opportunities. You’ll spend 26 weeks in at least two schools where you’ll receive valuable support from experienced, dedicated teachers.

Push Your Possible with a Master’s Degree

Increase your pay potential, specialise in a subject you love, or pursue your passion and switch careers.

UoG alumni can benefit from a postgraduate scholarship discount of 15% off tuition fees.

Discover the benefits of studying a master’s degree.

Education for Sustainability - Green Gown Award Nomination

Our ambitious curriculum includes Education for Sustainability – this is an aspect of our curriculum we champion and celebrate.

Our trainers were recently involved in a ChangeMakers Summit that was delivered to 120 young people from the Cheltenham Education Partnership, where they engaged in a range of workshops focusing on sustainability. The project was nominated for a UK Green Gown Award.

School of Education and Science

Work with leading practitioners, coaches, and professionals in specialist environments where you will develop your skills and gain real-world experience.

Visit the School of Education and Science

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