Program Overview

Introduction to the PGCE Secondary English with QTS Program

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Secondary English with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is a one-year program designed to prepare students to teach the secondary school English curriculum for the 11-16 age range. This program is offered by Manchester Metropolitan University and is taught by highly experienced subject experts who have been both practicing teachers and researchers in the field.

Program Overview

The PGCE Secondary English with QTS program aims to develop students' knowledge, skills, and experience to teach English at Key Stage 3, GCSE, and potentially A/AS-level. The program includes lectures, seminars, and practical sessions, as well as two teaching placements in different secondary schools or colleges. Students will have the opportunity to develop their subject knowledge and understanding of subject specialist teaching, as well as their ability to reflect critically on their learning.

Course Structure

The program consists of several core modules, including:

• Subject Pedagogy: This module seeks to develop students as student teachers, enabling them to reconceptualize their knowledge and understanding of their subject and apply it to planning, preparation, and classroom teaching.
• Secondary Professional Studies: This module explores current and critical issues, educational theory, and research connected to practice in schools, developing reflective practice and professional development based on key aspects of early practice.
• Professional Development and Employability (Secondary Education): This practice credit module supports and challenges students to reflect upon and develop their professional practice and teacher identity.
• Placement A (Secondary PGCE) and Placement B (Secondary PGCE): These practice credit modules enable student teachers to demonstrate their progress toward meeting the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status, providing contexts in which students can put into practice their own learning, reflect on their actions, evaluate their role in relation to pupils' learning, and review their performance in supporting teaching and learning.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for the PGCE Secondary English with QTS program, students must:

• Have a minimum of a 2:2 undergraduate honors degree awarded by a UK university, or an equivalent higher education qualification.
• Have GCSE at grade C/4 or above in English language and mathematics.
• Demonstrate a good understanding of teaching and learning within a secondary school setting.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and an informed and realistic understanding of the complexities and challenges of teaching in a secondary school.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are still being finalized. However, students can find information on 2025/26 standard undergraduate fees for UK/Channel Islands and EU/Non-EU international students.

Career Prospects

Most graduates of the PGCE Secondary English with QTS program go on to work as English teachers in secondary schools. The program provides students with 60 masters-level credits when they graduate, which can be put towards a master's degree to help develop their career in the field of education.

Additional Information

The program is part of the School of Education at Manchester Metropolitan University, which has a strong reputation for research and teaching excellence. The school has partnerships with over 500 schools, colleges, and educational organizations, providing students with a range of school experiences. Students will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including modern learning spaces, a lively Students' Union, and fantastic social hubs and sporting facilities. The university also offers a range of support services, including careers advice, academic support, and personal tutoring.