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Education at UEA
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Find out morePGCE Secondary English
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education
- Course Code
- Q3X1
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Other Start Dates
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Why you should choose us
Course Overview
If you’re looking for a career where you can inspire, motivate, and make a difference in the lives of young people, teaching is for you.
At UEA, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we’ll support you in exploring a range of pedagogical strategies so you can meet the needs of your pupils and develop your own teaching style. We’ll help you gain insight into how pupils learn and what motivates them. You’ll understand how pupils engage with English and discover how to support their learning effectively. You’ll also develop strategies to make learning English challenging, stimulating, and rewarding.
Our PGCE Secondary English programme combines at least 120 days of school-based training with university sessions, gradually increasing your solo teaching hours to build your confidence and help you become a reflective practitioner. You’ll learn how to make English lessons inclusive, engaging, and challenging, while exploring the latest research to understand how pupils learn best.This one-year, full-time programme equips you with the skills, experience, and knowledge needed to teach English to pupils aged 11 to 16, with Sixth Form enhancement—offering the opportunity to develop your post-16 teaching skills if this aligns with your interests.
Upon successful completion of your PGCE, you'll graduate with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and 90 Master’s-level credits. QTS qualifies you to teach children up to 18 years old.
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Accreditations
Successful completion of this course leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), accredited by the Department for Education.
Study and Modules
Structure
You’ll learn in a variety of settings – both at UEA and in two placement schools. Over the year, you'll spend a minimum of 120 days on school placement and 60 study days in structured learning at UEA.
You’ll begin the first few weeks of the course on our vibrant Norwich campus, where you’ll engage in hands-on workshops, seminars, and lectures. These will enable you to develop a repertoire of skills so that you feel comfortable and confident when teaching your first classes.
You’ll have opportunities to work with trainees from other subject areas, but while at university, you’ll spend most of your time in your English group, reflecting on subject-specific pedagogy with others who share your enthusiasm for the subject. In addition, you’ll be supported by a Subject Lead with considerable secondary school teaching experience, who is an expert in their field.
In your English workshops and seminars, you'll explore a wide range of topics, such as literacy, spoken language, different types of writing, the reading process, young adult fiction, and developing pupils’ responses to a range of literature. You'll be introduced to different curriculum models to help you understand how to design curricula that support progression, diversity, creativity, and academic literacy. During the course, you'll experiment with various teaching approaches to language and literature and begin to develop your own bank of teaching resources to support your classroom work.
You’ll gain experience working in two different schools while on placement. This will give you a broad perspective and deeper insight into different types of schools—an invaluable foundation when making informed decisions about your first teaching position. Our school partnership spans East Anglia, and we take your home address into account when assigning placement schools. We carefully consider your individual circumstances to ensure excellent training opportunities, including contrasting placements. You'll be able to explore different teaching approaches while discovering what works best for you.
You’ll also learn how to make a meaningful contribution to the wider school community beyond your subject specialism and establish yourself as part of a professional learning community.
Between placements, you’ll reflect on your school experiences with your peers and continue to deepen your understanding of the theory and practice of teaching and learning.
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
We draw on expertise from across our school partnership to offer you a rich and rewarding range of learning opportunities throughout the PGCE, both within and beyond UEA.
In English sessions, you’ll work with a specialist English Subject Lead who is both an academic and an experienced teacher. Sessions focus on the practical application of English pedagogy in the classroom, informed by recent and current subject-specific research.
You’ll be expected to prepare for both subject and professional studies sessions. The emphasis is on collaborative learning, where you'll engage with and learn from your peers—so be ready to participate actively! Independent study is also a key part of the course. You’ll research and write Master’s-level assignments and continue developing your subject knowledge, guided by your UEA Subject Leads and school-based mentors.
Throughout the year, you’ll be encouraged to reflect on your teaching practice, putting theory into practice at every opportunity. You’ll work closely with your UEA Subject Lead and your placement school mentors to ensure you meet the Teachers’ Standards by the end of the course.
You’ll gain essential knowledge and skills across the following core areas: professional behaviour, adaptive teaching, assessment, behaviour management, equality, diversity and inclusion, helping pupils learn, subject knowledge, and pedagogy. This includes understanding the national curriculum, effective planning, classroom practice, adapting teaching for pupil progress, and assessing learning in English. You’ll develop strategies for positive pupil engagement, promoting equal opportunities, and supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Finally, you’ll explore broader issues relevant to the professional identity of an English teacher and learn how to manage your workload effectively.
Assessment
You’ll complete Master’s-level assignments that are carefully designed to support your development as an effective teacher. These assignments are directly linked to your professional knowledge and understanding, as well as your practical teaching experience during school placements.
Throughout your time in schools, you’ll be supported by experienced colleagues. You’ll have a subject-specific mentor who will provide regular feedback on your teaching and, through ongoing professional dialogue, help you progress towards meeting the Teachers’ Standards by the end of the course.
Employability
After the Course
Alongside your PGCE, you'll gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and 90 Master’s credits.
You'll be supported by your Subject Lead in making an informed choice regarding your first teaching position, as well as throughout the application and interview process.
The support will continue beyond your training year, as we work closely with schools and Early Career Teacher (ECT) induction bodies to provide support in case it’s needed.
Within a few years of joining the profession, you could find yourself being promoted into a role with leadership and/or pastoral responsibilities.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
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Teacher
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Curriculum Leader
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Head of Year/Phase
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Deputy headteacher
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Headteacher
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Tutor
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English Subject Lead
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UK and overseas teaching opportunities
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2:2 or above preferred
Degree Subject
English or a related subject
- Additional Entry Requirements
Applicants are required to have achieved a good honours degree (preferably class 2:2 and above) or its equivalent* by the beginning of the PGCE programme in September. Applicants with a third class degree will be considered on an individual basis. As a general guideline, approximately 50 per cent of the degree should be relevant to the subject you will teach.
PRE-APPLICATION CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE
From February 2018, applicants are not required to have gained any prior experience within a school.
Although not a requirement, time spent in a school could help you to gain valuable insight into the role of a teacher, how teaching and learning takes place within the classroom, and help you to decide whether teaching is the right profession for you. It is recommended, that where possible, you gain some school experience prior to application.
It would be most useful if experience could be gained across the Secondary age range in your chosen subject area.
If you are able to gain classroom experience prior to submitting your application there are a number of ways in which this can be achieved:
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, or register with the DfE School Experience Programme to help book school experience through their online portal.
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 links will provide you with some useful points of contact to help to get you started.
DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE CHECK (DBS)
Disclosure of Criminal Background for Those with Access to Children
All applicants for the PGCE course will be required to obtain an Enhanced Criminal Records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The enhanced disclosure will be used to assess suitability for the programme and information provided may be discussed with the external members of the School's Safeguarding Sub-Committees. Candidates are responsible for payment of the DBS fee. General information about this process can be obtained from the Disclosure and Barring Service Website. As part of the DBS process, you will be checked against the Children's Barred List and Prohibition list. If you have lived overseas for a continuous period of 6 months or more during the last five years, a Certificate of Good Conduct will be required. The UEA Student Disclosure Service will contact you prior to the start of the course with more information on completing the DBS check.SATISFACTORY HEALTH CHECK
You will need to demonstrate your fitness to teach by completing an Occupational Health Assessment. This will give us information about any special needs you may have, and enable us to assess whether the University and placement areas will be able to provide support. It is therefore, in your interest to provide full answers to the questions.
- English and Mathematics
Before making your application you must have a GCSE pass at Grade 4/C or its equivalent* in English Language or English Literature and Mathematics regardless of your date of birth.
*Please note: It is at 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.
We are able to consider GCSE equivalency tests taken via equivalencytesting.com or https://astarequivalency.co.uk only, with grades of A*-C or 4-9.
Qualifications not listed? Contact the PGCE Admissions Office for advice by email: edu.pgce.admiss@uea.ac.uk.
- Interviews
Interview required; please be aware that we cannot guarantee that all candidates who apply will be shortlisted for interview. Interviews will usually be conducted in person. Online interviews will be offered to applicants overseas.
- Placements
You’ll gain experience working in two different schools whilst on placement. Our school partnership extends across East Anglia, so we’ll consider your home address when deciding on your placement schools. We take great care in deciding where to place you, considering your individual circumstances and ensuring excellent training opportunities, such as contrasting placements. You'll be able to explore different approaches while finding out what works for you.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2:2 or above preferred, or it's equivalent*
*Please note: It is at 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.
Degree Subject
English or a related subject
- Additional Entry Requirements
Applicants are required to have achieved a good honours degree (preferably class 2:2 and above) or its equivalent* by the beginning of the PGCE programme in September. Applicants with a third class degree will be considered on an individual basis. As a general guideline, approximately 50 per cent of the degree should be relevant to the subject you will teach.
PRE-APPLICATION CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE
From February 2018, applicants are not required to have gained any prior experience within a school.
Although not a requirement, time spent in a school could help you to gain valuable insight into the role of a teacher, how teaching and learning takes place within the classroom, and help you to decide whether teaching is the right profession for you. It is recommended, that where possible, you gain some school experience prior to application.
It would be most useful if experience could be gained across the Secondary age range in your chosen subject area.
If you are able to gain classroom experience prior to submitting your application there are a number of ways in which this can be achieved:
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, or register with the DfE School Experience Programme to help book school experience through their online portal.
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 links will provide you with some useful points of contact to help to get you started.
DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE CHECK (DBS)
Disclosure of Criminal Background for Those with Access to Children
All applicants for the PGCE course will be required to obtain an Enhanced Criminal Records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The enhanced disclosure will be used to assess suitability for the programme and information provided may be discussed with the external members of the School's Safeguarding Sub-Committees. Candidates are responsible for payment of the DBS fee. General information about this process can be obtained from the Disclosure and Barring Service Website. As part of the DBS process, you will be checked against the Children's Barred List and Prohibition list. If you have lived overseas for a continuous period of 6 months or more during the last five years, a Certificate of Good Conduct will be required. The UEA Student Disclosure Service will contact you prior to the start of the course with more information on completing the DBS check.SATISFACTORY HEALTH CHECK
You will need to demonstrate your fitness to teach by completing an Occupational Health Assessment. This will give us information about any special needs you may have, and enable us to assess whether the University and placement areas will be able to provide support. It is therefore, in your interest to provide full answers to the questions.
- English and Mathematics
Before making your application you must have a GCSE pass at Grade 4/C or its equivalent* in English Language or English Literature and Mathematics regardless of your date of birth.
*Please note: It is at 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.
We are able to consider GCSE equivalency tests taken via equivalencytesting.com or https://astarequivalency.co.uk only, with grades of A*-C or 4-9.
Qualifications not listed? Contact the PGCE Admissions Office for advice by email: edu.pgce.admiss@uea.ac.uk.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS Academic: 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in all components)
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- Interviews
Interview required; please be aware that we cannot guarantee that all candidates who apply will be shortlisted for interview. Interviews will usually be conducted in person. Online interviews will be offered to applicants overseas.
- Placements
You’ll gain experience working in two different schools whilst on placement. Our school partnership extends across East Anglia, so we’ll consider your home address when deciding on your placement schools. We take great care in deciding where to place you, considering your individual circumstances and ensuring excellent training opportunities, such as contrasting placements. You'll be able to explore different approaches while finding out what works for you.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27
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UK Students: £9,535 (full time)
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International Students: £23,850 (full time)
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
A range of funding options are available to help you Train to Teach. The University of East Anglia also offers a range of Scholarships; please click the links to check your eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
MAKING YOUR APPLICATION
Candidates can submit their application by using the GOV.UK service called Apply for teacher training. Please note, UEA is not responsible for content on external websites linked from this page.
PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION
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 the information available from the Department for Education. 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 to teach as a career.
Candidates are selected on the basis of their application form, interview and references.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying please do contact us:
PGCE Admissions Office
Email: edu.pgce.admiss@uea.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1603 592855
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.