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Course overview
Your learning is personalised across professional skills, subject knowledge, pedagogy, research and theory.
You start by developing your knowledge of learning and explore a range of evidence-based teaching and assessment theories and strategies, in addition to your subject knowledge and subject-specific pedagogy. Throughout the course, you embed and refine your knowledge and skills, enhancing your own practice and subject expertise during school-based placements. You develop your ability to reflect on your practice through action research.
You complete a small-scale research project within your subject area and undertake intensive teaching practices within school settings, allowing you to put your knowledge and understanding of education into practice. On placement you practice teaching strategies, learn how to manage a classroom environment, and develop evidence-based approaches from skilled professionals who share your passion for the subject area.
Funding: if you study this course, you could be eligible for a bursary of up to £28,000. Find out more
Study this course and you may be eligible for a £2,500 Sir Keith Skeoch postgraduate scholarship.
Course details
Course structure
Core modules
Developing Learning, Teaching and Pedagogy
You gain a detailed overview of the core concepts underpinning learning, teaching and assessment, which is the starting point for becoming a professional teacher in the compulsory sector. You focus on the core pedagogical knowledge and skills that trainee teachers require.
Enhancing Learning, Teaching and Pedagogy
You enhance and extend approaches to learning, teaching and assessment in a variety of complex and challenging ways. You underpin your learning and teaching with evidence-informed strategies and develop the skills required to evaluate your own practice rigorously and consistently.
Two school-based placements enable you to link theory to practice. On placement you are given increasing levels of responsibility and are expected to engage with all aspects of school life.
Subject Specialist Pedagogy in Biology with Science
Enhance your subject knowledge, skills and pedagogy in science education across secondary levels. Explore the transition from primary science to further education, with a focus on 11-16 and sixth form curricula. Examine science policy, assessment processes (GCSE and A-level), and the integration of English, maths and digital technologies in teaching. Develop your expertise in biology, covering key topics such as living organisms, energy cycles and genetics, while broadening your knowledge to include physics and chemistry. Explore scientific investigation skills and strategies for supporting students with special educational needs.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
You study on-campus alongside other PGCE students in your subject area and students from other subjects for core modules. This allows valuable opportunities for collaboration and professional networking.
You learn from a diverse team of academic staff, guest lecturers and school practitioners, providing a rich, relevant learning experience. During your placement, you work with a professional mentor, a subject mentor and a university Initial Teacher Training (ITT) tutor who supports your progress.
Course staff support you to manage the demands of a teaching career during and after your training. The ITT partnership follows the Department for Education’s guidance on teacher workload.
How you are assessed
You are assessed at the end of each module through a range of tasks, assessing your knowledge, professional skills and ability to integrate the theoretical and practical aspects of the course. Your progress on placements is evaluated through observations, reflections and professional discussion. You gain frequent opportunities for feedback.
Entry requirements
The following admission criteria applies:
- GCSE grade 4, or standard equivalent, in English and maths (qualifications in key and functional skills at level 2 are not equivalent to GCSEs in breadth of content). If you have not achieved the standard equivalent, you can sit an equivalency test at equivalencytesting.com
- a first degree (minimum 2:2) from a UK higher education institution or a recognised equivalent qualification. In exceptional cases if you do not have a 2:2 but are able to demonstrate suitable significant experience and/or further study you may be considered for the course
- ability to clearly demonstrate suitable subject level ability in the specialist subject area. This may be evidenced through suitable A level or Level 3 qualifications and the completion of a subject knowledge enhancement course or through the first-degree subject area (a transcript may be requested) or through work experience relating to the subject
- ability to demonstrate capacity to meet the Teachers’ Standards
- verification of your identity either from your birth certificate, or acceptable, alternative document
- complete a satisfactory Occupational Health Clearance (further details will be provided)
- complete a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and enrol on the DBS update service
- complete a satisfactory suitability assessment in line with the requirements of Keeping Children Safe in Education. Any declarations made may be subject to a panel process before a decision can be made
- an understanding of the English national curriculum and experience working with it, or knowledge of how it works.
- submission of two references. Referees must confirm that they know of no reason why you cannot work with children. Admissions will also check there aren’t any breaks in your employment or education history. References must be either academic (for example, your university tutor), professional (for example, your manager), school experience (for example, the headteacher of the school you have been working in) or character (for example, a mentor or someone you know from volunteering). If you’re still studying or graduated in the last five years, one of your references should be an academic reference. If you already work in a school, one of your references should be from your headteacher. If you graduated more than five years ago and do not work in a school, you can choose any combination of references. Ensure you provide a professional email address, not a personal email address for each reference
- successful completion of a formal interview and selection process.
The interview and selection process includes:
- a formal interview where you will be interviewed by two members of the teaching team
- a presentation about teaching a specific aspect of your subject specialism - you will have a choice of three topics
- a reflective and two scenario based tasks
- a data task.
For guidance, you will need approximately one hour for the interview. The tasks should be completed independently and should take you approximately one hour (reasonable adjustments will be considered if required). The process determines whether you possess the appropriate attitudes and values expected of a teacher. It also assesses whether you demonstrate intellectual and academic suitability for the course, including:
- fluent communication skills
- writing that reflects a high standard of accuracy
- an ability to use data and graphs to interpret information, identify patterns and trends to draw appropriate conclusions.
Upon completion of the interview and selection process, you will be asked to give an evaluation of the day, so that we can continually monitor and improve our processes.
IELTS entry requirements for international applicants is level 6.5 or above. International qualifications will be checked for equivalency by the International Admissions team.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting our international country pages.
Employability
Career opportunities
While you progress to meet Teachers’ Standards, you gain support to prepare for the next steps in your teaching journey. You develop your professionalism and employability and gain advice and guidance on recruitment and selection.
This course aims to ensure that you are ready to progress to professional development through the Early Career Framework (ECF) within your first teaching role as an Early Career Teacher (ECT).
Work placement
You should be prepared to travel across the Tees Valley for placement, but we will try and take your location preferences into account.
Information for international applicants
Qualifications
International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.
Select your country:
Useful information
Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.