Program Overview

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PGCE History

Teach the students of tomorrow about the people of the past

Overview

The PGCE History course is designed to prepare students to become successful teachers of secondary school history. The course is delivered through a University-based core route and through our partnership with the Nicholas Postgate Academy Trust (NPCAT).

Course Content

The course will cover the following topics:

• Introduce students to major events and developments of the past
• Help students become critical thinkers, developing their understanding of our society and the people within it
• Work with a nationally renowned partnership of specialists to become an effective history teacher
• Learn how to inspire students about the past, instil a lifelong love of learning, and give them the skills to debate big concepts and world-changing events

Accreditation

On successfully completing this course, students will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which is awarded by the Department for Education (DfE).

Career Opportunities

95% of newly qualified teachers are employed in a teaching role within six months of completing their training. Possible career paths include:

• History teacher
• Teacher in Higher Education
• Museum education officer
• Adult and community officer
• Training and development executive
• Education consultant

Transferable Skills

The course will help students develop the following skills:

• Ability to articulate complex ideas
• Learning/teaching methods and strategies
• Managing time and setting priorities
• Assimilate, analyse, and evaluate complex information
• Computer literacy for teaching and learning
• High standards of personal and professional conduct
• Presentation and communication skills

Fees and Funding

The annual tuition fees for 2026/27 are:

• UK (home): £9,535
• International and EU: £26,900 Additional costs include:
• Transport to and from placements
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check: £49.50 Teaching bursaries are available, and students can also use the living costs guide to help plan their budget.

Teaching and Assessment

The course will be taught through a combination of lectures, workshops, seminars, and school and classroom activities. Students will be assessed through three academic assignments:

• Lesson observation
• Evaluation of Teaching and Learning
• In-depth Focus Study The primary aim of the course is to enable students to meet, and ideally exceed, the Teachers’ Standards and be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Entry Requirements

The typical offer for the course is:

• Undergraduate degree: 2:2 or equivalent in History or a related subject
• GCSE Mathematics: grade 4 (C)
• GCSE English: grade 4 (C) English language requirements:
• IELTS (Academic and Indicator): 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component
• Cambridge CEFR: B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component
• Oxford ELLT: 7, minimum of 6 in each component
• Oxford Test of English Advanced: 136, minimum 126 in each component
• Duolingo: 120, minimum 105 in all other components
• LanguageCert SELT: B2 with 33/50 in each component
• LanguageCert Academic: 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component
• Kaplan Test of English Language: 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components
• Skills for English: B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
• PTE Academic: 61, minimum 55 in each component
• TOEFL: 87, minimum 21 in each component
• Trinity ISE III: Merit in all requirements

Placements

The course includes two secondary teaching placements, where students will have the opportunity to work with different age groups, abilities, and dispositions. Students will also participate in a primary placement and a professional enrichment placement.

Learning Outcomes

The course is designed to help students develop the following learning outcomes:

• Independently and creatively plan, resource, and deliver lessons
• Create an inclusive, stimulating learning environment
• Effectively assess learning and progression
• Critically reflect on, and perceptively develop their own classroom practice
• Communicate clearly, confidently, and professionally with teaching colleagues, pupils, parents, support staff, external agencies, and in academic contexts
• Contribute with justifications to debates and developments in secondary education

Course Structure

The course is worth 60 Masters-level credits, which can be put towards a Masters degree through Accreditation of Prior Credited Learning (APCL). The course follows the format of a school academic year, starting in September and finishing in June. The exact dates will depend on the term dates of placement schools.