Program Overview

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PGCE Secondary Science (Biology) with Qualified Teacher Status

Course summary

Combine practical teaching with academic study to begin your teaching career. Develop subject expertise through university and placement-based training. Apply theory, research and evidence to develop as a critically reflective practitioner. Study inclusive practices to promote positive outcomes for learners. Learn from expert colleagues and educational partnerships.

You’ll join our dynamic Sheffield Institute of Education and undertake work- related learning in the community. You'll learn about the key aspects of a teacher’s role – including theories of learning, pedagogy, assessment and behaviour management. As well as your Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Science (Biology), you’ll also gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and 60 Masters-level credits.

How you learn

We have been rated outstanding by Ofsted across all initial teacher education courses (March 2024). We offer sector leading initial teacher training in early years, primary, secondary and post-16 and we are rated outstanding in all four areas by Ofsted. Inspectors said that ‘Subject sessions are precise in their focus on the latest pedagogical research. This is connected expertly to classroom practice and the impact on pupils’ and that ‘the university’s work with partner schools is exceptional’.

Scientific knowledge informs key aspects of modern life, it allows us to understand ourselves and the physical world that we live in.

As a biology teacher you will help young people understand and make informed decisions about themselves and our world. Biology knowledge allows us to develop our understanding of the natural world and consider how new developments can protect ourselves and the planet.

In addition to key ideas in biology we will also consider the overlap and relationship between the three science disciplines and how these can be taught in a relevant and accessible way. We also look at a range of scientific skills including experimental work and interpreting data and consider how the development of these skills can be effectively integrated into your lessons.

You will learn how to communicate the importance of scientific understanding in our modern world and encourage young people to think scientifically.

You will develop your skills to understand, plan and deliver the science curriculum for 11–16-year-olds and also gain experience in a post–16 context.

You learn through:

• Seminars
• Directed tasks
• School-based experiences
• Collaboration with expert colleagues
• Intensive training and practice opportunities
• Independent study
• Online learning and collaboration
• Subject-specific practical work
• Assessment tasks
• Critical reflection
• Classroom debates
• Research-informed practice

Modules

Final year

Compulsory modules

• Exploring And Developing Pedagogical Practice In Secondary Education
  • Credits: 30
  • Assessment: Coursework 100%
• Professional Practice In Secondary Education (Qts)
  • Credits: -
  • Assessment:
• Reflecting On Professional Practice And Development In Secondary Education
  • Credits: 30
  • Assessment: Practical 100%

Future careers

The majority of Sheffield Hallam trainees graduate as qualified teachers.

You’ll also gain a number of key transferable skills for alternative progression or career routes, including:

• Academic careers as a researcher via Masters-level study and PhD
• Voluntary sector work or research
• Enrichment work with young people
• More general graduate careers

Equipment and facilities

The University-based sessions will be mainly based at City Campus and may include specialist rooms such as laboratories and workshops as appropriate.

There will also be opportunities to engage with online learning and collaboration. Much of your time will be spent applying and developing your professional knowledge in a school setting while on placement.

We have invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

Entry requirements

All students

• An honours degree (normally 2.2 or above) or equivalent which includes substantial elements of biology or biological study.
• Normally GCSE grade C or Grade 4 in English Language and mathematics, or equivalent. Where applicants have achieved a GCSE grade 4 or above in English literature only, we will look for further evidence of a breadth of achievement in English.
• If English is not your first language you must have an IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in all skills or equivalent. For equivalents see our English language entry requirements web page.
• You are encouraged to gain experience of schools through direct observation of teaching and learning and/or by working with young people in subject- related, or other related educational activities.

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.

Fees and funding

Home students

Tuition fees for 2026/27 are not yet confirmed. Our tuition fee for UK students studying full-time in 2025/26 is £9,535 for the course. These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2026/27 is £18,600 for the course.

Scholarships and bursaries

If you are starting a PGCE you may be entitled to financial support.

Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Sheffield Institute of Education (PDF, 615.4KB)