Program Overview

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Computing) 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 Description

The PGCE Computing at King’s equips computing professionals and graduates to become inspiring secondary school teachers. The course emphasizes learning through critical reflection on theory, practice, and discussion with colleagues. King’s has established strong links with excellent partner schools and can offer trainees a rich and diverse experience of curriculum planning and delivery. Trainees benefit from our central London location and participate in specifically organized trips, which have included visits to the Raspberry Pi Academy and the Science Museum.

Key Benefits

• PGCE courses at King’s are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and taught by a strong team of computing education tutors.
• Work with tutors who are actively engaged in research and development in computing education. In the last research assessment exercise, the department was rated as the leading education institution for research in London (REF, 2021).
• King’s is home to the interdisciplinary Computing Education Research Centre (CERC), connecting expertise in education, computing, robotics, and digital humanities to inform the understanding of computing education across all age groups and sectors. Trainees benefit from collaboration with CERC staff.
• A working partnership with a broad range of schools in London and beyond, providing unique opportunities to learn how to teach a diverse mix of students.
• Across all PGCE subjects, 92% of our trainees who applied for teaching posts after graduation were employed as Early Career Teachers (ECTs) at schools in the UK and abroad (JISC Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
• Two assessed pieces of coursework give you 60 Master’s-level credits – a third of an MA – which puts you well on the way to a Master’s degree in your chosen profession.

Course Essentials

Base Campus

• Waterloo Campus: Home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties

Regulating Bodies

• King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Entry Requirements

UK Applicants

• Standard Requirements: A minimum 2:2 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
• Programme-Specific Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree with a minimum 2nd class honours or higher degree (e.g., master's) required in computer science, computing, information technology, or information systems. Related degrees that include a high computer science component may also be considered.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the subject you intend to teach. Applicants must have experience enabling them to teach computer science theory and practice to GCSE level and information technology to A-level. Enhancement courses: If your degree is in information technology but your knowledge of computing is limited, you may be asked to complete a one to six-month subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course. You have to secure a place on a PGCE course before you can start SKE, and SKE typically starts in May or July, so you are advised to apply early for the PGCE.
  • 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.

International Applicants

• Equivalent International Qualifications: Select a country to view equivalent qualifications
• English Language Requirements: English language band B. Nationals of majority English-speaking countries who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test.

Selection Process

• All applications should be made through DfE Apply, the Department of Education’s Teacher Training application portal.
• 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.

Teaching Methods

• Seminars
• Teaching Placement
• One-to-one Tutorials
• Academic Sessions
• Self-Study

Assessment

• Written Portfolio
• Written Assignment

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
• Course packs
• 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

Funding

• To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's, please visit the Fees and Funding section.