About this course
Become a primary or secondary teacher while training in a school from the start of your course on one of our School Direct PGCE programmes. School Direct is a school-based training model with substantial links to the University. You'll spend most of your time in school placements: a major school placement in your ‘home’ school, and a shorter, contrasting placement to develop your skills. You'll also attend training days at the University.
For secondary training, we offer our own School Direct PGCE which is run through Southampton University Partnership Alliance (SUPA). This brings together the expertise of teachers in secondary schools across Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire and the academic support of the University.
As a SUPA trainee you'll gain classroom experience by attending a school placement from Monday to Thursday. You’ll spend Fridays at the University, learning from teaching experts.
We also work with the following School Direct partners:
All our School Direct lead schools are experienced in initial teacher training (ITT).
The format of placement and University input varies, so please discuss your options with the school alliances.
With all School Direct routes, you'll gain qualified teacher status (QTS), a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) and credits towards a master’s degree.
For primary training we partner with the Island Teaching Alliance (ITA), offering a School Direct route on the Isle of Wight.
Course lead
Your course leaders are:
Rachele Morse (secondary)
Ian Campton (primary)
Jan Lewis (SUPA)
Course locations
This course is based at In school and Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the Course Description Document
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
Changes due to COVID-19
Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.
Find out more on our COVID advice page.
Entry requirements
You’ll need:
- an honours level undergraduate degree 2:2 or above
- GCSEs (minimum grade 4/C) in English language and maths
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
If you’re currently studying or waiting for any of these, any place offered would be conditional on a successful outcome of this, or of a Southampton University equivalency test.
If your GCSE qualifications aren’t suitable, we offer equivalency tests in English and maths (non-transferable) which cost £50 each.
For secondary subject courses, the normal expectation is that students will have at least 50% of their undergraduate degree in their chosen subject. Please see individual subject areas for their particular application requirements.
Recognition of professional experience
If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
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
Course structure
This is a full-time course. You’ll study from September to June, with breaks at Christmas and Easter.
You’ll spend your time training in 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
Changes due to COVID-19
Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.
Find out more on our COVID advice page.
For entry in Academic Year 2022-23
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules:
The outcomes of this module will comprise: - A literature review which presents and synthesises the available knowledge within the selected area under investigation. This module is compulsory as it enables students to develop their teaching within their...
The outcomes of this module will comprise: a) a written summary including research findings, a discussion in relation to literature and conclusion with implications for classroom practice b) an 'intervention' which outlines how the student will plac...
Students elect to follow a particular issue from a suite of options presented on an annual basis by staff in Education. The outcomes of the module are for the student to make an oral presentation on their investigations using technology where appropriate.
This module consists of a Portfolio of Evidence from Teaching across all Placement Schools/Colleges. It is assessed against the Teachers’ Standards and is used to evidence that QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) has been met by the Trainee Teacher.
Learning and assessment
Learning
In your school placements, you’ll have structured opportunities to observe experienced teachers at work and to discuss professional issues with colleagues. You’ll spend the majority of time learning from practical experience in the classroom.
Assessment
We'll assess you regularly to keep your progress under review and update you on your how you're getting on. Short, subject-based tasks will help you to develop an insight into effective teaching.
You'll need to demonstrate:
- that your teaching meets the Teachers' Standards in order to gain QTS
- your performance as a teacher
- 3 assignments based on
- your curriculum area
- aspects of subject teaching
- a study of a whole-school issue
Your assignments are marked at master’s level and if successful in all 3, trainees will be awarded the Post-graduate Certificate in Education, as well as 60 credits towards a master’s degree. This course also leads to QTS, qualifying you to teach in school.
Academic Support
We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor.
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 a teacher in state-maintained and special schools in England and Wales.
School Direct courses often lead to you working in the school you’ve been training in. We also have high employment rates from all of our PGCE courses.
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 2020). 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 thriving 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:
- Salaried UK trainees pay £4,352
- Training UK trainees pay £9,250
- Training and salaried EU and international trainees pay £19,850
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
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.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
You must apply for this course on GOV.UK. You’ll need to create an account in order to submit your application.
Application deadlines
UK students
Make sure we receive your application at least 4 weeks before the start of the course. This gives us time to consider your application, if there are still places available.
International students
Make sure we receive your application at least 6 weeks before the start of the course.
This gives us time to consider your application, if there are still places available. It will also give you time to apply for a visa if we offer you a place.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, or if you're applying for a PGCE course via UCAS, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
GOV.UK processes applications for this course. When you apply, they’ll give you details of any supporting information or documents you’ll need to supply.
Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.
What happens after you apply
After applying through GOV.UK you’ll hear from us by email. We have 40 days to respond, but most applicants hear back much sooner.
If you get through to the next stage we’ll invite you to an interview with tutors, where we’ll assess your suitability for training and teaching. We’ll also ask you to give a short presentation and carry out a written task.
We’ll then decide whether to offer you a conditional place. The decision will be uploaded to your GOV.UK application within 5 working days.
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
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