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Postgraduate
Courses / Postgraduate / Sciences (PGCE)

Sciences (PGCE)

Award
Postgraduate Certificate in Education
Duration
1 year
Course Type
Full-time
Campus
Highfield
Next course starts
12 September 2023

About this course

Develop the skills and subject knowledge to be a fully qualified science teacher, with a specialism in physics, chemistry or biology, on this PGCE Secondary course. You’ll spend time on school placements and at the University of Southampton as you learn how to teach school pupils aged 11 to 16. With this qualification you’ll be able to teach in state-maintained and special schools in England and Wales. 

On this Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) course you’ll build on your existing subject knowledge to become a skilled and confident secondary school science teacher within the UK’s National Curriculum for science framework. 

You’ll specialise in physics, chemistry or biology, but will graduate with the knowledge and skills to teach all 3. You’ll also be qualified to teach your specialist subject to post-16 students. 

You’ll learn both the theory and practice of teaching on this course, gaining real-world experience through 2 school placements. 

We'll also teach you essential skills and strategies to: 

  • manage the classroom 
  • monitor and assess pupils 
  • teach inclusively 

You'll spend about two-thirds of your time (at least 120 days) in placement schools in the Southampton area. Here you’ll observe lessons and work with small groups of pupils before being introduced to whole-class teaching when you’re ready for it. 

We'll make sure you're supported by a school-based mentor throughout your placements. 

The rest of your time will be spent at the University, where you’ll build your subject-specific skills and knowledge, prepare for your placements, and evaluate your school-based work.

 

Course lead

Your course leader is Matt Perks, Senior Teaching Fellow within Southampton Education School. He taught physics, chemistry and biology in secondary schools for many years before joining the University. Read Matt’s staff profile to find out more about his work.

Accreditations

Course location

This course is based at 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 2022 to 2023. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.

Find out more on our COVID advice page.

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