PGCE Secondary – Modern Languages with QTS
Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
2026-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
PGCE Secondary – Modern Languages
Overview
Train to become a qualified Modern Languages teacher in a secondary school. You will help pupils access the world and new cultures while teaching the subject you love.
Course Content
Our Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) will prepare you to become an inspirational modern languages teacher with research-informed lectures, varied school placements, and interactive lesson simulations. You will benefit from University and school support throughout your course.
At Worcester, you will gain experience through placement in two different secondary school environments, teaching a range of secondary year groups, whilst receiving support from a school subject mentor and University tutors.
When not on placement, you will be taught through a mixture of lectures, workshops, and interactive subject sessions. In these interactive sessions, our tutors will model effective teaching and classroom management strategies. You will also get the opportunity to select one of our enhancement activities, these allow you to pursue a subject that's important to you – from Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to English as an Additional Language.
Beyond the classroom, we’ll enrich your subject knowledge of the Modern Languages curriculum. Recent students have explored how to teach grammar effectively with guest speakers, learnt how to empower disadvantaged pupils, and led workshops in schools focussing on culture.
When you successfully complete the course, you will receive Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which means you will be recognised by the Teaching Regulation Agency as a fully qualified teacher.
Combinations
- French
- Spanish
- French with Spanish
- Spanish with French
- French with German
- German with French
Placements
You will complete a minimum of 120 days of placement, teaching modern languages in two different schools, so you can experience a wide range of age groups and learning environments. There will also be additional school visit days where you can explore practical strategies for the classroom, with opportunities to practice, rehearse, and then implement in school.
We have a strong relationship with over 100 partnership schools, where you will be supported by subject specialist mentors. School mentors are experienced teachers who we work with to make sure you get the highest quality, placement experience.
Regional Training Hubs
You can apply to study a PGCE directly with the University or with one of our partner Regional Training Hubs.
These Regional Training Hubs are networks of schools working together to train teachers. When you apply through a hub you will do a mix of training at their sites and at the University, and the hub will organise your placements within their network of schools.
Course Highlights
- Outstanding by Ofsted
- Our education of future primary and secondary teachers has been given the highest possible grade by Ofsted, with inspectors stating that, along with its partners, the University creates “a learning community that places children at the heart of everyone’s endeavours”.
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching is a mix of interactive seminars, classroom simulations, and one-to-one tutorials. Alongside this, you’ll be supported by university staff and school mentors when out on placement. Your assessments will prepare you for a career as a teacher, and include creating a learning resource, delivering a presentation, and writing reflective essays.
Teaching and Assessment Contents
- Teaching
- Assessment
- Feedback
- Contact time
- Independent study
- Teaching staff
- Specification
Teaching
Programme design underpins the Meeting the Teachers’ Standards (2013) and the Initial teacher training (ITT): core content framework (November 2019).
Each programme incorporates a range of teaching, learning, and assessment methods including lectures, workshops, peer group activities, seminars, directed reading, independent research, directed study tasks, presentations, e-portfolio, tutorials, and school experience. There are also 20 days identified within the provider-based programme for ‘Intensive Training and Practice’ (ITaP), where there is a focus on an area of pivotal practice.
You will experience specialist subject training to develop the necessary knowledge and understanding of their subjects and related pedagogy, which will enable them to teach their subjects across the full age and ability range of training.
Schools and further education settings in the partnership play a crucial role in designing training that provides the range of experiences that students need. ‘The cream of the talent’ from within the partnership, alongside subject specialist tutors, provide taught experiences to give students a breadth of experience and provide them with opportunities to demonstrate all the Teachers’ Standards.
In addition, meetings with Personal Academic Tutors (university lead tutors) are scheduled throughout the course. Tutors and Regional Training Hub Leads also visit students in school to quality assure the process and offer tutorial support.
The majority of teaching sessions will be face to face. There will be elements, especially large cohort sessions, that may be delivered online.
Entry Requirements
- Honours degree, normally 2:2 or higher from a United Kingdom higher education institution or equivalent qualification, in a relevant subject area. Applicants with a 3rd class degree will be considered on an individual basis.
- GCSE grade C/4 in English Language or English Literature, Mathematics, and Science, or equivalent qualifications. We do offer an equivalency test if you don’t have the required GCSE grade to apply for our courses.
Fees
- UK: £9,535 per year
- International and EU students: £17,900 per year
Key Facts
- Ofsted Outstanding
- Start date and location: Sep 2025 - Worcester
- Fees: UK £9,535, International £17,900
- 1 year full-time
- Placement: 120 days of placement in two different secondary school environments.
Program Outline
What will you study
Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative.
Subject Knowledge with a Deep Understanding |
|
|
---|---|---|
Specialist Subject Opportunities |
|
|
Pedagogy |
|
|
Professional Studies |
|
|
Enhancement Activities |
|
|
Your career |
|
- Great employment prospects
- Prepare for leadership and your Masters with 60 credits and a strong research foundation
- Many University of Worcester trainees gain promotion within the first few years of teaching
Careers and Employability
Our Graduates pursue exciting and diverse careers in a wide variety of employment sectors.
Find out how we can support you to achieve your potential.