Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Secondary (with Qualified Teacher Status QTS)

Overview

Ready to shape the future? Training to become a secondary teacher is one of the most rewarding and impactful careers you can pursue. It’s an opportunity to inspire young minds, shape their futures, and make a lasting difference in the world.

Our accredited teacher training programme offers a hands-on, dynamic approach to learning, combining engaging, practical teaching with extensive in-school experience.

You’ll spend a third of your time at Newcastle University where you’ll learn from dedicated subject experts who are all experienced teachers. You’ll also be taught by specialist guest lecturers who’ll provide specific training in areas such as:

• education psychology
• working with children with special educational needs
• supporting pupils who have English as an additional language

The rest of your time will be spent in school settings, where a subject mentor will support you. You’ll observe experienced teachers before teaching lessons yourself.

On successful completion of the course, you’ll be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and be ready to work as a qualified secondary school teacher.

We offer the following Secondary PGCE courses:

• Computing
• Design and Technology
• English
• Geography
• History
• Mathematics
• French (as a single language or with German or Spanish)
• German with French
• Spanish (as a single language or with French or German)
• Science with Biology, Chemistry or Physics specialism

History, Geography and English are very competitive subjects, applying early is advised.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

You’ll learn how to be an effective and inspiring teacher, equipped with advanced subject specific knowledge.

You’ll learn:

• the key things that influence pupils’ learning and outcomes
• about the North East's unique educational context
• how to safeguard the young pupil in your care
• how to plan, deliver and assess for meaningful and purposeful learning
• how to create motivating and engaging learning environments
• behaviour management strategies and techniques
• effective ways to teach pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or who have English as an additional language
• how to engage critically with research and using evidence to critique practice
• how to plan and work as part of educational teams
• how to contribute positively to the wider school culture

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Postgraduate Certificate in Education Secondary modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Subject Pedagogy in Practice	20
Developing Critical Perspectives on Teaching Thinking Skills	20
Curriculum Development Through Enquiry in Practice	20

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

This programme has a focus on learning from experience, through reflection and enquiry. You’ll analyse the practice of other teachers and evaluate and reflect on your own teaching throughout.

You’ll learn through hands-on teaching groups and Intensive Training and Practice sessions, equipping you with practical skills and techniques to take directly into the classroom.

A significant part of the programme involves school-based practice, where you’ll put your knowledge into practice on placements in our partner schools. Through a personalised training plan, you’ll gradually start to plan, deliver and assess pupils’ learning in the classroom.

The course structure follows school term dates as opposed to university semesters, starting in early September and continues until June when you will be ready to take your first teaching post. You will be supported through the recruitment and interview process by our experienced secondary team.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Essay
• Observation of professional practice
• Oral presentation
• Poster
• Portfolio
• Reflective log

Additional assessment information

The Secondary PGCE course has a focus on learning from experience, through reflection and enquiry. This process of reflective enquiry underpins the development of teaching skills. It also forms the basis for the written work submitted as part of your PGCE.

 

Student support

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your development

Placements

Our highly experienced classroom practitioners lead our teacher training programme, bringing a wealth of real-world teaching expertise. They are dedicated to providing outstanding support, ensuring that every trainee receives the guidance they need to thrive.

Through our strong partnerships with schools across the North East, we offer experiences across a variety of school contexts. You’ll undertake placements in two different schools, both arranged by Newcastle University.

You’ll begin by observing experienced teachers. You'll then start teaching lessons yourself, gradually increasing the number of lessons you teach over time.

A key feature of our programme is the exceptional level of support available to trainees. From in-depth seminars designed to build strong teaching and subject knowledge to one-on-one mentorship, our team is committed to helping you grow in confidence and skill. Trainees consistently highlight the impact of this support. They describe it as invaluable in shaping their teaching journey.

With expert-led training and a nurturing learning environment, you’ll be fully equipped to succeed in the classroom.

Your future

A PGCE with QTS opens the door to a wide range of career opportunities in education, both within the UK and internationally. With this qualification, you'll be in high demand, as schools seek qualified, skilled teachers who can make an immediate impact on the lives of young people. Not only will you gain a respected, professional qualification, but you'll also have the confidence and expertise to excel in your teaching career from day one.

Most of our graduates become teachers, but you’ll develop a diverse set of transferable skills applicable to a range of careers, such as:

• leadership and teamwork
• organisation and time management
• written and oral communication
• critical analysis and reflection
• problem solving

This programme is also excellent preparation for further study.

Our Careers Service

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. 

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

As part of the Secondary PGCE course, you'll have access to our:

• resource Centre
• IT service and computer clusters
• library services

You'll have access to two postgraduate research student study rooms. The largest study toom has recently been upgraded with additional workstations and soft seating area.

We have two on-site clinics:

• the Tavistock North East Aphasia Centre
• the Children's Speech and Language Therapy Clinic

We also have a well-equipped resource centre.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

Home student fees - PGCE

Home students starting in 2025 entry

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course. £9,535 is the maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students for the academic year 2025-26. This is set by the UK government. 

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation. 

Teacher training funding opportunities

See the Department for Education website for postgraduate teacher training funding opportunities.

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

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How to apply

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