Program Overview

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Modern Foreign Languages) PGCE

Key Information

Study mode: Full time Duration: 37 weeks full-time, September to end of June Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent): UK 120 / ECTS 60 credits Application status: Open Start date: September 2025

Course Essentials

Our course emphasises learning through critical reflection on theory, practice, and research. We encourage ongoing development of subject knowledge through peer support and our e-learning platform designed in conjunction with colleagues from the King’s Language Centre to develop your linguistic competence and pedagogical awareness. Our course is delivered by tutors who have extensive teaching experience and are actively involved in research of international quality. This is a full-time course that consists of four required modules and two blocks of teaching experience based in secondary schools within London and Greater London. You will complete the course within ten months, studying September to June. You must take modules totalling 120 credits to meet the requirements of the qualification. You’ll engage in education, pedagogy and professional studies sessions and curriculum workshops. These will take place in both university and school settings and will develop your expertise in general educational and professional issues, as well as subject pedagogy. You’ll gain the skills and understanding to take up positions in schools as a teacher of your subject with the potential to contribute fully to the life of the school. The course carries the Accreditation of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Base Campus

Waterloo Campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.

Regulating Bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students.

Entry Requirements

UK Applicants

• A minimum 2:2 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree.
• If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).

Programme-Specific Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in languages with 2:2 honours or above (or overseas equivalent). Joint language degrees are welcome provided there is a major (50% or more) languages component.
• GCSE grade C or above, or an equivalent qualification, in English Language and mathematics. Applicants without these English or mathematics qualifications at the time they apply may be considered, but they must obtain them, or pass an equivalent test approved by King's, before the course starts.
• Applicants for Modern Foreign Languages need to offer two languages, either French and German or French and Spanish, with qualifications equivalent to at least A-level (CEFR B2) in the subsidiary language. As a guide, you should be proficient enough in your subsidiary language to teach it at GCSE level - this would require an A level or above in that language, or equivalent.

International Applicants

• Equivalent International qualifications: Select a country from the list provided.
• English language requirements: English language band B. To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.

Selection Process

• All applications should be made through DfE Apply, the Department of Education’s Teacher Training application portal, where you will need to register an account.
• Before you can be offered a place on a PGCE programme, you will need to attend an online or in-person interview, usually within 40 days of your application submission date.
• An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (criminal conviction check) and Occupational Health check are required for the teacher training programmes.

Personal Statement and Supporting Information

• When you apply you will be asked to give us details of your educational background and to provide a personal statement.
• We will be looking for evidence that your subject knowledge is both broad and deep as well as being up to date.
• Some evidence of working with young people, as a Teaching Assistant, Student Ambassador, youth worker, etc will help your application.
• We are looking for applicants who are able to work closely and effectively with other teachers and who can inspire young people to bring out the best in themselves.

Teaching Methods - What to Expect

• Seminars
• Self-Study
• Academic sessions
• One-to-one tutorials
• Teaching placement

Location

• Lectures and seminars are primarily taught at the King’s College London Waterloo Campus.
• Students undertake teaching placements in secondary schools selected by their lead school.
• Students also organise their own short placement at a state primary school.

Assessment

• Written assignment
• Written portfolio
• The 45-credit honours-level module will be assessed by a combination of written (online) portfolio documents and continuous assessment of your teaching practice benchmarked to the DfE's Core Content Framework.
• The 30-credit master’s level modules will each be assessed by a written assignment heavily based on in school research that trainees undertake.
• The 15-credit-honours-level module will be assessed by an assignment focusing on data collection methods in the school environment.

Structure

Required Modules

• Professional Practice in Education (45 credits)
• School Data (15 credits)
• Studying Policy & Professional Practice (30 credits)
• Focused Pedagogical Studies (30 credits)

Employability

• The majority of trainees go into teaching or other areas of education; many become heads of departments or members of senior management teams; some take up careers in educational administration in the advisory or inspection services.

Tuition Fees

UK:

• Full time: £9,535 per year (2025/26)

International:

• Full time: £25,500 per year (2025/26)

Additional Costs

• Books if you choose to buy your own copies.
• Clothing for optional course related events and competitions.
• Library fees and fines.
• Personal photocopies.
• Printing course handouts.
• Society membership fees.
• Stationery.
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses.
• Travel expenses in getting to and from placement schools.
• Graduation costs.