PGCE Secondary (Provider-Led, School-based) with Qualified Teacher Status Postgraduate Certificate in Education - PGCE

If you’re a graduate with a passion for your subject and the drive to inspire young people, this brand-new course is designed for you. A one-year programme leading to qualified teacher status, it prepares student teachers to become highly skilled, confident, critically reflective, and innovative practitioners; committed to lifelong professional learning and the education of young people.

By passing this course, you’ll gain a PGCE, a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), and 60 master’s-level credits towards further study. Just as importantly, you’ll gain real classroom experience that builds the confidence and practical skills needed to thrive as an effective, inspiring educator.

This qualification is subject to validation and planned to be delivered full-time over one academic year.

Programme Overview

This programme is designed for those aspiring to become secondary school teachers across a wide range of subject specialisms. Training takes place at the Teacher Training Hub at Basford campus and our university partner, led by expert practitioners, experienced mentors and specialist educators.

Course Structure

• A carefully designed weekly programme focusing on teaching and learning pedagogy, including: lesson planning, behaviour management, learning theory, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, PSHE and form tutoring

• Approximately 24 weeks spent in your main placement school

• A further 8-week second placement in a different school and key stage

• A one-week placement in a special school

• See a gradual increase in teaching responsibility with sustained mentor support

• Regular training, coaching and developmental feedback throughout the year


What You Will Achieve

By the end of the programme, you will gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a PGCE with 60 Master’s-level credits.

Entry Requirements

• Undergraduate honours degree - preferably a Lower Second (2:2) or above

• GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 4 (C) or above

• Evidence of appropriate subject knowledge in your chosen teaching specialism


Additional Requirements

A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check will be required before starting the programme.

Teaching and assessment

Assessments focus on the practical, professional and academic competences at each stage of your programme. Your professional progress towards the Standards for QTS will be assessed in school by your trained mentors. At college, your academic work is closely aligned to your professional practice using a variety of strategies including critical evaluations, subject knowledge audits, presentations and professional discussions.

Progression opportunities

The PGCE with QTS opens the door to a wide range of career opportunities in education. With this qualification, you're likely to be in high demand, as schools look for skilled, certified teachers who can make an immediate difference in young people’s lives. You’ll not only earn a respected professional qualification, but also develop the confidence and expertise to excel in your teaching career from day one.

In a profession with lots of opportunities for career progression, we also give you a stepping stone towards a masters degree. When you complete this course, you will gain 60 credits at masters level so that you can fast track to stage two of a masters degree and accelerate your professional development.