Program Overview

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PGCE Secondary Religion, Philosophy and Ethics

Overview

Make a difference to pupils’ lives by becoming a Secondary teacher through our highly regarded teacher training course.

What you'll learn

Explore the fundamentals of teaching through an integrated programme that encompasses both university and school-based training.

You’ll develop your understanding and practice through these core components:

• Subject and curriculum knowledge
• Behaviour management
• Assessment of pupils
• Planning for learning
• Adaptive teaching and inclusion
• Professional behaviours and responsibilities
• How pupils learn
• Pupil health and wellbeing

Course structure

The PGCE Secondary programme covers all subjects and is studied full-time over one academic year.

Your first school placement begins with familiarisation, where you observe your Training Mentors teaching the classes that you will eventually take over. You’ll teach parts of lessons before assuming responsibility for them. You’ll also learn about the curriculum in your subject, how schools work and how pupils make progress.

How will I be taught?

Learn through doing – gain practical teaching experience (planning, assessment and the impact of these on pupils’ progress) during your placements in schools. Explore the professional role of a teacher, including safeguarding, working with colleagues and parents, taking responsibility for a tutor group, and extracurricular activities. Your Academic Tutor and Training Mentor will model good practice and provide regular feedback on your progress.

How will I be assessed?

Throughout the programme, you’ll gather examples of practice to reflect your progress at each of the four review points during the course.

Your Training Mentor will observe you regularly during school training, and provide personalised feedback to enable you to succeed as a teacher.

You’ll write reflective reviews; these are designed to help you further your knowledge and skills and to become a reflective practitioner.

Course modules

This course offers or includes the following modules:

• Positive Classroom Environments
• How Pupils Learn
• Adaptive Teaching
• Inspiring Learning

Opportunities

Careers

As a graduate of our PGCE with a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), you can begin your teaching career right away.

During the course, we offer support with applications and interviews so that you can give your teaching career the best possible start.

Facilities and resources

Where the subject is taught

As a Bath Spa Teacher, you'll learn in a variety of locations within our wide partnership, both at the University and in schools.

Your main campus will be Sion Hill. Teaching will take place in rooms equipped with relevant texts, equipment, training materials, and electronic resources.

Fees

2025 entry

• UK full time: £9,535
• International full time: £16,460

Bursaries and scholarships

The following amounts apply if you're starting your teacher training course between September 2025 and July 2026.

You may be eligible for a teaching bursary or scholarship when training to teach. Please use the table below to check which subjects offer bursaries and scholarships.

• Art and Design: £10,000
• Biology: £26,000
• Chemistry: £29,000
• Computing: £29,000
• Design and Technology: £26,000
• English: £5,000
• Geography: £26,000
• Languages (French, German and Spanish only): £26,000
• Maths: £29,000
• Music: £10,000
• Physics: £29,000
• Religious Education: £10,000

Interested in applying?

What we look for in potential students

Teachers are role models for their pupils and must act with integrity at all times, while having the highest expectations of themselves and their pupils. They forge positive professional relationships and engage with wider communities.

You’ll need to be suited to the teaching profession both personally and academically.

Academic requirements

In order to apply you'll need to have completed, or be in the final year of a UK degree (or equivalent qualification). You're required to have a good honours degree in Religious Education or a related subject with at least 50% suitable content.

You'll also need GCSE passes at grade 4/C or above or recognised equivalents in English and Mathematics.

Non-academic requirements

Before being allowed to enrol, all teacher training applicants are required to complete a number of compulsory compliance checks, including:

• Enhanced DBS check
• Childrens' Barred List check
• Prohibition from Teaching
• Fitness to Train to Teach questionnaire

You may also need to enrol in a Subject Knowledge Enhancement course.

How do I apply?

Ready to apply? Click the 'apply now' button to apply through the Department for Education's application system. If you need more guidance, please head to our how to apply webpages.

Interview

Once your application has been received and assessed, and if it is successful in making it to the next stage of the application process, you'll be invited to attend an interview (these are currently held online). At the interview, we'll assess your suitability and passion for teaching. The interview will include a short teaching exercise and a discussion of educational issues. We'll ask you about your experience to-date of working with children and young people.

Contact us

PGCE Admissions Officer:

• +44 (0)

Related courses

• PGCE Secondary Modern Languages
• PGCE Primary and Early Years
• PGCE Secondary Design and Technology
• PGCE Secondary Music

Key facts

• Award: PGCE Secondary Religion, Philosophy and Ethics
• School/s: School of Education
• Campus or location: Sion Hill
• Course length: One year full-time.