Program Overview

PGCE (Secondary): Media

Overview

Offering a balance of theory and practice, this programme provides the opportunity to explore and understand the ways that the key concepts of Media Studies and Film Studies are taught at secondary school and at post-16 level.

Why study PGCE (Secondary): Media at Goldsmiths

• Media is a powerful and democratising subject that develops young people’s critical thinking skills.
• You’ll learn about approaches for teaching the current formal media curriculum and ways of drawing on students’ own media experiences to enhance their understanding.
• We will look at ways that teachers can adapt their teaching to reflect the changing media landscape and how practical work can be used to enhance students understanding of theoretical ideas.
• You will have the opportunity to learn at the English and Media Centre, where much of this programme’s teaching will take place.
• You will gain an understanding of the different media and film related courses taught across KS4 and 5 and develop your media production skills.
• You will observe expert teachers tackling key issues in media and cultural studies related to semiotics, genre, narrative, representation (gender and race), audience, media industries, ideology, post-modernism, and auteur theory and spectatorship in Film studies.
• You will also begin teaching these academic ideas on school placement.
• The course also looks at the role of media education and media literacy more broadly, examining policy and practices in relation to issues such as resilience to media messaging, digital citizenship and positive online participation.

Teacher Training Code

V077

Length

1 year full-time

Fees

• Home - full-time: £9535
• International - full-time: £21200

Department

Educational Studies

What you'll study

College-based work

• In addition to exploring pedagogy, assessment and classroom organisation, the programme will include consideration of the role of media education in schools and issues around media and digital literacy.
• You will also develop your practical skills, gaining experience in teaching pre-production, production and post-production.
• You'll have the opportunity to learn at the English & Media Centre, where much of this programme's teaching will take place.
• The programme is taught and assessed at Masters level.
• In addition to the award of QTS, if you pass all academic elements of the programme at an appropriate level, you will graduate with 60 Masters-level credits, which are equivalent to one-third of a Masters degree.
• Full academic support is provided to ensure you are fully prepared for assessment regardless of your prior experiences.

School-based work

• During the Autumn Term (Term 1) you are placed in your first school, the aim is induction, both into schooling and the teaching of media, and into learning and teaching practices.
• You do this by:
  • Observing teachers working and pupils participating in learning activities
  • Learning about whole school policies and practices
  • Studying the media curriculum at Key Stages 3 and 4 (examinations)
  • Progressively taking on teaching activities, initially in tandem with the class teacher
• Spring and summer terms (Terms 2 and 3) are devoted to teaching practice in a second school, developing your competence to meet the Professional Standards.
• You will design a scheme of work for the Key Stage 3 curriculum, and develop your understanding of pupil learning styles, National Curriculum requirements, assessment and examinations.

Learning & teaching

• A range of teaching methods are employed across all our PGCE programmes, including:
  • Taught subject sessions
  • Practical workshops
  • Compulsory lectures
  • Seminars
  • Group and individual tutorials
  • Individual and group presentations
  • Supported self-study

Entry requirements

• You must meet our fitness to train requirements.
• A GCSE Grade C/4 or above in English and Mathematics.
• An undergraduate honours degree, at 2:2 or above from a university in the United Kingdom or an international equivalent in a subject related to Media Studies or Film.
• Applicants with an undergraduate degree in a different subject, but with extensive experience working within the media industries, will also be considered.

International qualifications

• If you have a non-UK qualification that you believe is GCSE equivalent, you must check this with the Admissions team.

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees

• These are the PGCE fees for students starting their programme in the 2025/2026 academic year.
• Home - full-time: £9535
• International - full-time: £21200

Funding opportunities

• Find out more about fees and funding opportunities for PGCE applicants.
• If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.

Additional costs

• In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying.
• You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.
• There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme.
• This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments.
• Please check the programme specification for more information.