About this course
Gain the knowledge and skills to be a fully qualified English teacher on this PGCE Secondary course at the University of Southampton. You’ll divide your time between school placements and the University as you develop the theory and techniques to teach the subject to all secondary school pupils. With this qualification you’ll be able to work in state-maintained and special schools in England and Wales.
This Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) course will prepare you to teach young people aged 11 to 16 within the UK’s National Curriculum for English framework (Key Stages 3 and 4).
There will also be opportunities to learn about teaching students aged 16 to 19.
You’ll build on your existing knowledge of English language and literature and learn the most effective methods for helping young people to:
- become fluent readers and writers
- improve their vocabulary and use of grammar
- understand and enjoy English literature
- explain, listen and debate
Your training will also teach you essential skills such as:
- managing the classroom
- monitoring and assessing pupils
- teaching inclusively
You'll spend at least of 120 days in placement schools in the Southampton area, where you’ll observe lessons and work with small groups of pupils before gradually being introduced to whole-class teaching. You’ll have the support of a school-based mentor throughout your placements.
The rest of your time will be spent at the University, where you’ll prepare you for your placements, evaluate your school-based work, and develop subject-specific skills and good practice.
The course has a strong practical focus but we’ll also encourage you to develop your own theoretical and philosophical approach to teaching English.
Course lead
Your course leader is Kate Freeth, Director of Initial Teacher Education within Southampton Education School, and an experienced secondary school teacher. Her areas of interest include literacy and learning, and special educational needs. Read Kate Freeth's staff profile to find out more about her work.
Accreditations
This course is accredited by:
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
In light of COVID-19, we’ve made changes to some elements of course delivery for 2020-21. For details as to how this has changed delivery for this course, please view the Addendum to the Programme Specification PDF.
Entry requirements
You’ll need:
- A degree in English or a related subject
- GCSEs (minimum grade 4/C) in English language and maths
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
Secondary school classroom experience may strengthen your application.
Before applying, you should read the UK National Curriculum for English and the standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status.
Got a question?
If you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course please contact our enquiries team; we're very happy to help.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.ukTel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
COVID-19: we've made some changes to the structure of the course for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
This is a full-time course. You’ll study from September to June, with breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Find out more about University key dates.
You’ll divide your time between the University and 2 placement schools.
The course consists of 4 compulsory modules. We assess 3 of them at master’s level, 1 at undergraduate level. You’ll need to pass the 3 master’s-level modules to gain your PGCE award.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
COVID-19: we've made some changes to our modules for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
For entry in Academic Year 2020-21
You must study the following modules in year 1:
Learning and assessment
COVID-19: we've made some changes to our learning and assessment methods for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
Learning
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures, seminars and tutorials
- group activities
- directed study
- independent study
- independent research
- school placements
Assessment
We’ll assess you using:
- written assignments
- a presentation
- a portfolio
Academic Support
We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.
You’ll have the support of a school-based mentor during your practice placements.
Careers
Successfully completing this course will give you Qualified Teacher Status in addition to your PGCE award. This means you'll be able to work as an English tutor in state-maintained and special schools in England and Wales.
We have high employment rates from our PGCE Secondary courses, with many trainees going on to work in our partnership schools.
If you choose to continue your studies, the credits you build up from your master’s-level modules can be put towards a future master’s degree qualification.
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV/resume and interview skills workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
- our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
- a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
- our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK/EU students pay £9,250.
- International students pay £18,104.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Funding your postgraduate studies
A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.
How to apply
PGCE course applications are processed through UCAS. When you apply, you'll be taken to the UCAS website where you'll need to register an account with UCAS to submit an application. For information: there is a plan to move PGCE courses from applying through UCAS onto a DFE system.
Application deadlines
UK students
Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least two weeks before starting your course.
International students
We recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the start of the course to ensure you're able to meet our requirements and apply for a visa in time.
We cannot guarantee students who do not meet these deadlines will be able to begin their course.
Supporting information
UCAS process applications for this course. When you apply, they'll give you details of any supporting information or documents you'll need to submit.
Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.
What happens after you apply
Following application through UCAS you will hear back by email from the University. The University has 40 working days to respond to your application, but you will almost always hear back much more quickly than that.
If you are selected for the next stage of the process you will be invited for an interview at the University. The interview process includes an opportunity to find out more about the course and to ask questions. You will give a short presentation, complete a short written task and have a face-to-face interview with tutors. Following the interview, we'll make a decision on whether or not to offer you a conditional place. The decision will be uploaded to UCAS within 5 working days of the interview date.
Interviews will take place online if they are not possible in person. You'll receive an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.
All offers are conditional on enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and health checks.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000