PGCE Secondary Modern Languages
Key details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education
- Course Code
- R9X1
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2027
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Course Overview
Why PGCE Modern Languages at UEA?
Bring your passion for languages to life to inspire the next generation of young people. This course is guided by expert tutors and will help you reach the highest levels of subject knowledge.
Why Choose UEA
- Comprehensive support: Study on a highly regarded PGCE, with expert support from UEA tutors and experienced school mentors who will guide you throughout the course and into your early teaching career
- Extensive classroom experience: Gain 120+ days of teaching experience in two contrasting schools in East Anglia building your teaching skills and developing your professional network
- Academic and professional development: Learn how to ignite pupils’ curiosity for languages and cultures through engaging with the latest research alongside a community of passionate languages teachers
What is PGCE Modern Languages?
Our PGCE Secondary Modern Languages 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 Modern Languages 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 Modern Languages to pupils aged 11 to 16, with Sixth Form enhancement. It offers you the opportunity to develop your post-16 teaching skills if this aligns with your interests.
Accreditations
Successful completion of this course leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)(opens in a new window), accredited by the Department for Education.
Careers
Career Pathways
With a PGCE in Secondary Modern Languages, you could launch a career as:
- Modern Languages (MFL) teacher
- Curriculum Leader in your specialist language(s) / Head of MFL Department
- Head of Year/Phase
- Headteacher
- Tutor
Career Support
The UEA PGCE has a strong reputation, and you’ll benefit from this as you develop your professional network and apply for your first teaching position. You'll be supported by your UEA Subject Lead every step of the way to make an informed choice regarding your first post, as well as receiving extensive personalised guidance throughout the application and interview process.
Check out Career Central for more information.
After the Course
The support continues well beyond your training year, with UEA Subject Leads maintaining regular contact to offer guidance whenever it’s needed. Many of our graduates quickly progress into leadership roles, and our PGCE prepares you for this by embedding reflective practice to develop your professional judgement and confidence from the very start of your career.
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 being taught on our 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 Modern Languages group, reflecting on subject-specific pedagogy with people who share your enthusiasm for your 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 Modern Languages seminars, you'll cover a wide range of topics, including second language acquisition, approaches to language learning, grammar, vocabulary, phonics instruction, inclusive and adaptive teaching, the use of target language, intercultural competence, and the development of listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills. You'll also learn how to promote equal opportunity and understand special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). You’ll build a bank of teaching resources to support your work in the classroom and develop knowledge of digital technologies to enhance teaching and learning during your placements. You’ll also focus on pupil assessment and progression, lesson planning, and strategies to encourage participation and achievement.
You’ll gain experience working in two different schools while on placement. This will enable you to gain a broad range of experience and greater insight into different types of schools; this will prove invaluable when it’s time to make an informed choice regarding your first teaching position. Our long-established 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.
You'll also learn how to make an effective contribution to the work of schools beyond your languages teaching and to establish yourself as part of a community of practice.
Between placements, you’ll discuss and reflect on your school experiences with your fellow students, while learning more about the theory and practice of learning from national experts.
Compulsory Modules
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, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
The PGCE Secondary Modern Languages course draws on expertise from UEA and our partner schools and is led by a Subject Lead who is an experienced teacher and academic. You’ll develop your subject knowledge and explore languages-specific pedagogy through collaborative sessions and independent Master’s-level study. Throughout the year, you’ll reflect on your classroom practice, applying theory and research to meet the Teachers’ Standards and prepare for the professional role of Modern Languages teacher
Assessment
You'll complete three master's level assignments that are carefully designed to help you become an effective teacher. Your assignments will relate directly to your professional knowledge and understanding, as well as your practical teaching experience within your school placements. Throughout your time in schools, you'll benefit from the support and mentoring of expert colleagues. You'll have your own subject-specific mentor who will provide formative feedback on your teaching and through regular professional dialogue, will help you to progress towards meeting the Teachers’ Standards by the end of the course.
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
Languages or related subject. As a general guideline, approximately 50 per cent of the degree should be relevant to the subject you will teach.
- 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(opens in a new window) 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.
- 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.
Proficient speakers of French, German and Spanish, with a non-language based degree, are encouraged to make enquiries to the admissions team regarding eligibility for entry to the PGCE programme, before applying. Proficiency (CEFR C1 level equivalent) should be acquired through either: a language degree; bilingual education; substantial bilingual work experience and/or substantial time spent in a country where the language is spoken.
The main languages currently required by schools are French, German and Spanish. It is important that you are able to offer at least one of these languages at proficient level (C1 CEFR or equivalent), to be able to teach Key Stage 4/GCSE and A-level where possible. Your level of proficiency will be checked during the shortlisting stage through a Subject Knowledge Audit, and during the interview process, through a written and spoken task. In addition to high-level language skills, applicants should have a good knowledge of the countries and cultures where the language(s) offered are spoken.
As part of the PGCE programme, you will teach another mainstream language at Key Stage 3, as being able to offer two mainstream languages greatly increases employability. Applicants with only one language (or with high B2 CEFR level equivalent) are encouraged to apply as early as possible to explore options available to develop a second language prior to starting the PGCE programme. Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses are available, please see here for further details: Subject Knowledge Enhancement(opens in a new window).
Pre-Application classroom experience
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 your chosen Primary age range.
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.
- DfE School Experience:
Register with the DfE School Experience Programme(opens in a new window) 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(opens in a new window) will provide you with some useful points of contact to help to get you started.
Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS)
PROTECTION OF CHILDREN: 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(opens in a new window). 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.
- Interviews
Interviews are part of the formal selection process, and provide us an opportunity to assess your suitability for the course. Interviews will be conducted in person or online, depending on staff availability (unless you are living outside of the UK). Due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot guarantee that all candidates who apply will be shortlisted for interview.
Overseas applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be invited to one of our monthly online interview sessions.
If you are shortlisted for interview, you will need to present yourself well, come prepared, and dress smartly. Your interview day may include:
- An introductory talk
- An individual interview
- A written task
You may also be asked to complete other relevant tasks such as:
- Giving a presentation
- A group interview
- Literacy, numeracy and subject knowledge questions
- 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. You will find out your first placement school once you have successfully registered on the course.
- 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
Languages or related subject. As a general guideline, approximately 50 per cent of the degree should be relevant to the subject you will teach.
- 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(opens in a new window) 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.
- 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.
Proficient speakers of French, German and Spanish, with a non-language based degree, are encouraged to make enquiries to the admissions team regarding eligibility for entry to the PGCE programme, before applying. Proficiency (CEFR C1 level equivalent) should be acquired through either: a language degree; bilingual education; substantial bilingual work experience and/or substantial time spent in a country where the language is spoken.
The main languages currently required by schools are French, German and Spanish. It is important that you are able to offer at least one of these languages at proficient level (C1 CEFR or equivalent), to be able to teach Key Stage 4/GCSE and A-level where possible. Your level of proficiency will be checked during the shortlisting stage through a Subject Knowledge Audit, and during the interview process, through a written and spoken task. In addition to high-level language skills, applicants should have a good knowledge of the countries and cultures where the language(s) offered are spoken.
As part of the PGCE programme, you will teach another mainstream language at Key Stage 3, as being able to offer two mainstream languages greatly increases employability. Applicants with only one language (or with high B2 CEFR level equivalent) are encouraged to apply as early as possible to explore options available to develop a second language prior to starting the PGCE programme. Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses are available, please see here for further details: Subject Knowledge Enhancement(opens in a new window).
Pre-Application classroom experience
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 your chosen Primary age range.
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.
- DfE School Experience:
Register with the DfE School Experience Programme(opens in a new window) 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(opens in a new window) will provide you with some useful points of contact to help to get you started.
Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS)
PROTECTION OF CHILDREN: 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(opens in a new window). 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 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):
-
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(opens in a new window) 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.
-
- Interviews
Interviews are part of the formal selection process, and provide us an opportunity to assess your suitability for the course. Interviews will be conducted in person or online, depending on staff availability (unless you are living outside of the UK). Due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot guarantee that all candidates who apply will be shortlisted for interview.
Overseas applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be invited to one of our monthly online interview sessions.
If you are shortlisted for interview, you will need to present yourself well, come prepared, and dress smartly. Your interview day may include:
- An introductory talk
- An individual interview
- A written task
You may also be asked to complete other relevant tasks such as:
- Giving a presentation
- A group interview
- Literacy, numeracy and subject knowledge questions
- 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. You will find out your first placement school once you have successfully registered on the course.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
)
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28
-
UK Students: £10,050 (full time)
-
International Students: £25,000 (full time)
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
A range of funding options are available to help you Train to Teach(opens in a new window). The University of East Anglia also offers a range of Scholarships(opens in a new window); please click the links to check your eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees(opens in a new window) 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(opens in a new window). 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. As part of our safeguarding processes, it is important that we have a complete and accurate history of your employment and study. Any gaps should be explained.
We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the information available from the Department for Education(opens in a new window). 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 (opens in a new window)
Tel: +44 (0)1603 592855
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.