PGCE Secondary Physical Education with QTS
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
| 2026-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
PGCE Secondary – Physical Education
Overview
Train to become a qualified PE teacher in a secondary school. The course is designed to train engaged, motivated and informed Physical Education teachers who go on to enthuse pupils and drive change within the world of Secondary Physical Education.
Course Details
- Duration: 1 year full-time
- Location: Worcester
- Fees:
- UK: £9,535
- International: £17,900
Entry Requirements
- Honours degree: Normally 2:2 or higher from a United Kingdom higher education institution or equivalent qualification, in a relevant subject area.
- GCSE: Grade C/4 in English Language or English Literature and Mathematics, or equivalent qualifications.
Course Content
- Mandatory modules:
- Meeting the Teachers’ Standards
- Developing Teaching and Learning
- Evidence Informed Teaching
- Placement
- Enhancement Activities:
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
- Technology Enhanced Learning
Placements
- Duration: Minimum of 120 days
- Locations: Two different secondary school environments
- Support: Subject mentor and University tutors
Teaching and Assessment
- Teaching methods: Interactive seminars, classroom simulations, and one-to-one tutorials
- Assessment methods: Creating a learning resource, delivering a presentation, and writing reflective essays
Careers
- Job prospects: Most students quickly find jobs after graduation, thanks to the confidence they’ve gained on the course, the connections they make on placement, and our excellent reputation with schools in the Midlands region.
- Career paths: Secondary schools, Primary schools, Further Education settings, leadership roles within schools
Testimonials
- Tom Deehan: "The exceptional knowledge imparted on me by the phenomenal subject lecturers have given me the tools to successfully work in a variety of differing environments."
- Sophie Tandy: "I loved a lot about this course and we had really interesting placements. Our placements allowed me to develop consistency in my teaching and really target specific aspects of my work."
- Alex Price: "Being a part of the PE PGCE course here at Worcester has been one of the most enjoyable, challenging and fulfilling years and I wouldn’t have changed a thing!"
- Ella Powell: "The amount of support I was given as a high-level sports person to balance both my PGCE and playing sport has been incredibly helpful."
- Emily Harris: "I feel very proud to be graduating. My time at University of Worcester has been crucial in shaping me, not only as a person, but as a teacher."
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. To accommodate this feedback modules change periodically in the interest 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 |
|
|
- 1
Register your interest
Enter your details below and we will keep you up to date with useful information about studying at the University of Worcester.
How will you be taught?
Teaching approach
- School experience in a range of settings.
- Professional Studies sessions in school and at University.
- University-led workshops, lectures, seminars, fieldwork and guest lectures.
- Study of key texts and supplementary reading.
- Participation in high level professional discussion, peer presentations and debate.
- Directed studies, case studies and problem solving tasks; development of practice-based competence and skills of critical reflection through guided individual mentoring during placements.
- One-to-one academic and personal tutorial support including access to our first class Firstpoint services
"The approachable nature of the tutors and accessibility of a range of information enables progression... none of the sessions are repeated and I feel that we are constantly moving forwards."
Trainee, Autumn Term Evaluation
Assessment
- Assignments are carefully designed to develop your skills as a teacher.
- Assessments that move from highly structured to more open briefs as you develop your professional skills.
- The opportunity to develop skills as a research informed practitioner.
Programme specification
For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment,
please download the latest programme specification document.
- 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.
- A large number of our trainees secure jobs in partnership schools and now mentor current trainees while they are on placement.
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.
What qualifications will you need?
Entry requirements
Please consult individual subject specialism pages for full details of entry requirements, but most specialisms ask for:
Academic 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.
- All entrants have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade 4 (formerly grade C) in the GCSE examinations in English Language and mathematics
- (for 2022 entry, applicants must have these qualifications by the start of the course). Alternatively, we offer an equivalency test if you don’t have the required GCSE grade to apply for our courses. Trainees who begin courses before providing evidence of the required GCSE standard (or equivalent) will not be eligible for financial incentives, such as bursaries or grants until they achieve the required standard.
Qualifications not listed? Contact the Admissions Office for advice by email:
Additional requirements
- An Enhanced DBS check. You will be sent details of how to apply for your DBS in the summer term. You will need to pay for this. You may already be part of the DBS update service . As part of the DBS process, you will be checked against the Children’s Barred List.
- A check against the Prohibition List.
- If you have lived, studied or worked overseas for three months or more in the last five years a Certificate of Good Conduct from the country of residence will be required. Further information and guidance associated with additional costs are available from the Home Office .
- An online occupational health check. All those on a teacher training programme must be certified as meeting national requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach, as set by the Department for Education.
- International students: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent
Other information
To help you prepare for your interview you can expect questions covering the following:
- the subject knowledge required for teaching the subject curriculum in school
- your ability to critically reflect on your prior experiences in relation to your future development as a teacher
- your understanding of the UK education system and the wider role of a teacher
- how you have overcome challenges in your life and shown resilience
- how you plan to meet the academic and teaching demands of the course.
In addition, we are looking for enthusiasm, commitment, and potential. Clear verbal and written communication skills are integral to this which you will have an opportunity to demonstrate throughout the interview.
- School experience is desirable, but not essential.
- Interviews will be conducted online. Applicants will be contacted directly with more details.
All applications for PGCE Secondary should be made via the
Government's Find Postgraduate Teacher Training website
.Additional useful information is available on the
Government's Get Into Teaching website
.Bryony Gunn
“I’ve wanted to be a PE teacher in a Secondary School for as long as I can remember,”
“Receiving my PGCE qualification was essentially the moment I had been waiting for since forever. When you achieve something you’ve been wanting to achieve for a very long time, you can’t help but feel proud of yourself.”
"The university was very supportive and the PGCE module leaders gave us ample opportunities to develop ourselves despite the pandemic locking down the country. I cannot thank the university tutors enough for ensuring that as a cohort we were not at a disadvantage to previous cohorts and truthfully, some of the tasks we were assigned during the pandemic have shaped my teaching today.”
Cara Brincat
“I really like the fact that I had two, contrasting, teaching placements on this course. The facilities were incredibly different in the schools that I worked in and it made me adapt my teaching. When I go into my new employment, I now know that I can teach in whatever facilities they have. The assignments on the course also really supported our teaching practices and helped to move us forward.
Rugby is my passion, and I play in Allianz Premiership for Worcester Warriors Women. I’m going to continue this alongside teaching. I’ve got a full-time job starting shortly as a PE teacher.
The support from my Personal Academic Tutor has been amazing. They support you all the way through the course and act as a first point of contact. This was particularly useful for balancing my Rugby with my studies.”
Sophie Tandy
“I loved a lot about this course and we had really interesting placements. Our placements allowed me to develop consistency in my teaching and really target specific aspects of my work. We’ve had loads of different and varied assignments. I didn’t do a teaching undergraduate degree and this course has allowed me to widen my opportunities of what I want to do in the future. The facilities and support from tutors have also been fantastic.
I’m so pleased that I was able to pursue my dedication to my sport whilst studying, and I currently play Rugby for Gloucester Hartpury in the Allianz Premiership. I have previously played for England 7s.
I’ve recently got a job, starting in September, and will soon by a full-time teacher. I will continue with my sport alongside this.”
Ella Powell
“The amount of support I was given as a high-level sports person to balance both my PGCE and playing sport has been incredibly helpful. Although the course is challenging, it does make you a better teacher and a better all-round individual. I’ve learnt so much about myself as well as developing as a teacher.
In September I have a full-time permanent job secured which I will combine with playing High-Level Netball and International Netball. I currently play Superleague Netball at WASPS Netball and I’ve recently been selected for the Welsh International squad. We are building-up for the Commonwealth Games next year in Birmingham, which I’ll hopefully be selected for. The school I’m going to work in are really supportive in balancing this against my first ECT years with them.”
Kelly Smith
“I’m passionate about Rugby, I’m currently playing for Gloucester-Hartbury Women in the Women’s Allianz Premiership and I’ve got 14 caps for England. Throughout the course, I liked developing my own teaching strategies and skills within the placements. This September I start a full time PE teaching role. Hopefully, within my teaching career, I can continue to create a balance with playing Rugby Internationally and for the top league within the Women’s Rugby Premiership.
Learning at Worcester has given me an opportunity to develop within a new career path, alongside my Rugby, and I now feel so confident that I can go into school and help children with various different sporting interests and their own experiences.”
Emily Harris
“I feel very proud to be graduating. My time at University of Worcester has been crucial in shaping me, not only as a person, but as a teacher. The sense of community is a real asset and I can't imagine studying at a different institute for my PGCE.”
“The support that was offered in terms of securing a teaching post and during my NQT year is so appreciated. I do not know of another university that values and supports its alumni like the University of Worcester.”
Bryony Gunn
“I’ve wanted to be a PE teacher in a Secondary School for as long as I can remember,”
“Receiving my PGCE qualification was essentially the moment I had been waiting for since forever. When you achieve something you’ve been wanting to achieve for a very long time, you can’t help but feel proud of yourself.”
"The university was very supportive and the PGCE module leaders gave us ample opportunities to develop ourselves despite the pandemic locking down the country. I cannot thank the university tutors enough for ensuring that as a cohort we were not at a disadvantage to previous cohorts and truthfully, some of the tasks we were assigned during the pandemic have shaped my teaching today.”
Cara Brincat
“I really like the fact that I had two, contrasting, teaching placements on this course. The facilities were incredibly different in the schools that I worked in and it made me adapt my teaching. When I go into my new employment, I now know that I can teach in whatever facilities they have. The assignments on the course also really supported our teaching practices and helped to move us forward.
Rugby is my passion, and I play in Allianz Premiership for Worcester Warriors Women. I’m going to continue this alongside teaching. I’ve got a full-time job starting shortly as a PE teacher.
The support from my Personal Academic Tutor has been amazing. They support you all the way through the course and act as a first point of contact. This was particularly useful for balancing my Rugby with my studies.”
Sophie Tandy
“I loved a lot about this course and we had really interesting placements. Our placements allowed me to develop consistency in my teaching and really target specific aspects of my work. We’ve had loads of different and varied assignments. I didn’t do a teaching undergraduate degree and this course has allowed me to widen my opportunities of what I want to do in the future. The facilities and support from tutors have also been fantastic.
I’m so pleased that I was able to pursue my dedication to my sport whilst studying, and I currently play Rugby for Gloucester Hartpury in the Allianz Premiership. I have previously played for England 7s.
I’ve recently got a job, starting in September, and will soon by a full-time teacher. I will continue with my sport alongside this.”
Ella Powell
“The amount of support I was given as a high-level sports person to balance both my PGCE and playing sport has been incredibly helpful. Although the course is challenging, it does make you a better teacher and a better all-round individual. I’ve learnt so much about myself as well as developing as a teacher.
In September I have a full-time permanent job secured which I will combine with playing High-Level Netball and International Netball. I currently play Superleague Netball at WASPS Netball and I’ve recently been selected for the Welsh International squad. We are building-up for the Commonwealth Games next year in Birmingham, which I’ll hopefully be selected for. The school I’m going to work in are really supportive in balancing this against my first ECT years with them.”
Kelly Smith
“I’m passionate about Rugby, I’m currently playing for Gloucester-Hartbury Women in the Women’s Allianz Premiership and I’ve got 14 caps for England. Throughout the course, I liked developing my own teaching strategies and skills within the placements. This September I start a full time PE teaching role. Hopefully, within my teaching career, I can continue to create a balance with playing Rugby Internationally and for the top league within the Women’s Rugby Premiership.
Learning at Worcester has given me an opportunity to develop within a new career path, alongside my Rugby, and I now feel so confident that I can go into school and help children with various different sporting interests and their own experiences.”
Emily Harris
“I feel very proud to be graduating. My time at University of Worcester has been crucial in shaping me, not only as a person, but as a teacher. The sense of community is a real asset and I can't imagine studying at a different institute for my PGCE.”
“The support that was offered in terms of securing a teaching post and during my NQT year is so appreciated. I do not know of another university that values and supports its alumni like the University of Worcester.”
Bryony Gunn
“I’ve wanted to be a PE teacher in a Secondary School for as long as I can remember,”
“Receiving my PGCE qualification was essentially the moment I had been waiting for since forever. When you achieve something you’ve been wanting to achieve for a very long time, you can’t help but feel proud of yourself.”
"The university was very supportive and the PGCE module leaders gave us ample opportunities to develop ourselves despite the pandemic locking down the country. I cannot thank the university tutors enough for ensuring that as a cohort we were not at a disadvantage to previous cohorts and truthfully, some of the tasks we were assigned during the pandemic have shaped my teaching today.”
Previous
Next
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
