PGCE Secondary

Postgraduate Certificate in Education Secondary Level (11-18 years)

PGCE Course Overview

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), one-year, full-time Secondary course prepares graduates to teach in secondary schools. The course is assessed against M Level criteria - leading to Qualified Teacher Status and 60 credits at Masters Level.

This is an interesting, often very demanding but tremendously rewarding age group to work with as pupils mature from early adolescence to adulthood. The course is designed to equip you to teach your main subject and to make an effective contribution to the work of schools beyond your subject.

The UEA partnership scheme has attracted national and international attention for its successful close inter-weaving of school and university-based work. It provides you with the opportunity to engage in the systematic study of theory and current good practice both in schools and in the School of Education and Lifelong Learning at UEA. The PGCE course has received a series of excellent grades in OfSTED inspections.

Programme Structure

The 36 week long course includes an extensive 24 weeks of placement in two of our partnership schools near, or within reasonable distance of, your home. This emphasis on practical teaching provides you with a broad range of teaching experience in different schools. Teaching placements are available in schools across the whole of the Norfolk and Suffolk counties.

University-based sessions will be held in Norwich, a location which is widely regarded as one of the most attractive and friendly cities in Britain. The campus at the University of East Anglia is set in extensive parkland and the distinctive architecture is nationally acclaimed. For the sixth year running UEA has been ranked in the top 5 for student satisfaction among mainstream English universities.

At university sessions you will discuss experiences with others on the course and learn more about the theory and practice of teaching. Expect to be involved in a range of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars and practical workshops.

We offer 11-18 years PGCE in learning to teach:
English
Geography
History
Mathematics
Modern Foreign Languages (also available 11-16 years)
Physical Education
Science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics)

Subject Knowledge Enhancement Courses

Trainees wishing to teach Mathematics, Science (Chemistry and Physics) or Modern Foreign Languages whose subject knowledge has gaps or needs to be updated may be eligible to attend a pre-ITT Subject Knowledge Enhancement Course (SKE). These courses vary in length from 2 weeks to 36 weeks - according to the depth of knowledge required.

As part of this programme, the University of East Anglia offers the 2 week SKE course for Mathematics and Science (Chemistry and Physics). The next courses will be held from 1st - 11th July 2013.

Please note that all trainees must have secured their place at an initial teacher training institution before applying for a SKE course. The length of SKE course required will be stated as a condition of the offer.

Career Opportunities

Many of our trainees are appointed to teaching posts in Norfolk and Suffolk. Career opportunities within secondary teaching are now far wider and more diverse than ever before. Within a few years of beginning teaching many are able to gain promotion to leadership positions within their subject or for pastoral responsibilities. There may also be opportunities to become an Advanced Skills Teacher (AST), this allows effective classroom teachers to gain recognition for their excellence in the classroom without needing to move to more administrative positions. After experience of middle management successful teachers can progress to senior management as Senior Teacher, Deputy Head or Head.

Online Prospectus

Our PGCE Teacher Training Prospectus for September 2013 entry will provide you with further detailed information about all of our course options and programmes of study.

Please contact us if you wish to request a hard copy version either through email: edu.pgce.admiss@uea.ac.uk or telephone: (+44) (0)1603 592855.

Secondary Teaching Information Event

Our next UEA Secondary Teaching Information Event will take place in October 2013.

In the meantime, if you have any queries, please do contact the UEA PGCE Admissions Team.

Entry Requirements

Candidates are required to have an appropriate degree or its equivalent*. Around 50 per cent of degree content should be the subject which you wish to teach.

Before making your application you must have a GCSE pass at Grade C or its equivalent* in English Language and in Mathematics.

*Please note: It is up to the discretion of the individual Initial Teacher Training provider as to whether an appropriate level has been satisfactorily achieved. We therefore strongly urge candidates with equivalent qualifications to check with us that these are acceptable before making their application.

Application Procedure and Selection Process

All candidates starting the PGCE in 2013 are required to pass the professional skills tests before starting the course. More information can be found via the Teaching Agency website.

Candidates are required to apply via the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR). This is the central "clearing house" which deals with all applications for PGCE courses across the country. Application forms for 2013 entry are available from October 2012.

Candidates are required to supply an academic referee as their first reference if they have completed their studies in the last 5 years.

Primary candidates are advised by the GTTR to make their application by 1st December 2012 - however please note that we will be accepting applications (through the GTTR) after this date if we have vacancies.

There is no specified deadline for Secondary candidates. However, all candidates are advised to apply as early as possible in the application cycle.

NB: You are advised to ensure that your principal referee is available to submit their reference immediately upon request (usually electronically via GTTR). Your chosen institution will not receive your application until the principal referee has submitted their reference. Please see the GTTR Referee Guidance for information on selection.

Candidates are encouraged to prepare thoroughly. Application forms should be able to demonstrate not only your depth of subject knowledge but also your enthusiasm and commitment to a career in teaching. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our PGCE Teacher Training Prospectus and the information available from the Teaching Agency and related educational establishments. These sources will help you to gain knowledge of the current issues facing teaching, specifically in the subject area for which you are applying. During interview you will be expected to be able to answer questions about these issues, and what has prompted your desire to choose teaching as a career.

Candidates are normally chosen on the basis of their application form, references and an interview.

Gaining Experience

Candidates should also ensure that on their application form they are able to demonstrate that they have gained recent experience, with children of the relevant age range, in school. It is important for candidates to have an understanding of and reflect on how classrooms are managed and how teaching and learning takes place within the classroom prior to interview. It is recommended that you gain at least 5 days' observational experience in the classroom environment.

There are a number of ways in which you can achieve this:

Contact your Local School
Try contacting local schools where you live to see if you are able to arrange a time to observe some lessons. You need only to have undertaken observational experience prior to submitting your application. Please note that it is at the discretion of each school as to whether they will allow visitors into their classrooms.

University Career Schemes
Candidates who are currently studying at university may be able to participate in Teaching Schemes organised by the Careers Service. For example, UEA offers Student Mentoring through the Student Ambassador Scheme, which aims to contribute towards raising the aspirations of year 9 school students, particularly those from backgrounds with no family history of further or higher education. Mentors provide students with academic and personal development support through mentoring sessions, educational activities and visits to UEA. Please contact Lucy Nottingham, Outreach Officer, Recruitment and Outreach Department for further information.

Knowledge of the National Curriculum, Key Contacts and Useful Links

Applications are considered on an individual basis and being able to demonstrate a strong level of knowledge about the National Curriculum and current issues affecting teaching is advantageous. These educational weblinks will provide you with some useful points of contact to help to get you started!

Financial Information

Tuition Fees

Fees for the PGCE programme will be £9,000 for entry in September 2013, subject to approval from OFFA.

Maintenance Grants (UK Students Only)
If you are normally resident in England you may be entitled to receive a Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant. All candidates from the UK should contact Student Finance England or tel: 0845 300 5090 for full information on Maintenance Grants.

EU and International students are advised to contact the Teaching Agency in order to confirm what financial support may be available.

Teaching Agency Training Bursaries for UK/EU Students only

UEA PGCE course	Degree classification	Bursary
Chemistry, Maths, Modern Languages, Physics	1st class 2:1 2:2	£20,000 £15,000 £12,000
Biology, English, Geography, History, Physical Education, Primary	1st class 2:1	£9,000 £4,000

Please contact the TA website: www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching for further details.

University Student Services

The University of East Anglia's Student Services website has been designed to provide 24 hour access to the wide range of resources, facilties and opportunities offered centrally to all students in order to help them achieve their academic and personal goals, prepare for their future and resolve any difficulties that they may encounter.

Equal Opportunities
The University of East Anglia operates an equal opportunities admissions policy. We aim to ensure that no applicant receives less favourable consideration on the grounds of gender, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin or religious belief. More on equal opportunities...

Students with a Disability (including Dyslexia)
The University welcomes students with disabilities and is working towards the provision of an inclusive environment for all its students, staff and visitors. More on disability support...

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Check

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN: Disclosure of Criminal Background for Those with Access to Children
All applicants who have been offered a place to study the PGCE course will be required to obtain a fresh Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure.

The Enhanced Disclosure will be used to assess suitability for the PGCE course and entry to the teaching profession. The information provided may be discussed with the Children's Services Department or Education Authority with whom practical placements may be taken.

General information about this process can be obtained from the Criminal Records Bureau Website.

Further Enquiries

If you would like to discuss your application further please contact us by email: edu.pgce.admiss@uea.ac.uk by telephone: +44 (0)1603 592855 or write to us:

PGCE Admissions
Room 0.20, School of Education and Lifelong Learning
Admissions, Recruitment & Marketing
University of East Anglia
Norwich Research Park
Norwich NR4 7TJ UK

Thank you for taking the time to view this website. We hope it has given you some idea of what we have to offer and that, if you are thinking of training to be a teacher, you will consider applying to us.