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Train to become a Secondary teacher at UEA
If you’re passionate about your specialist subject, our Secondary Postgraduate Certificate in Education courses prepare you teach the next generation.
Our PGCEs empower you to motivate others in exploring and understanding the world, through your role as a subject specialist secondary teacher.
Expert tutors will challenge and support you to achieve the very highest levels of subject knowledge, pedagogy, and academic achievement.
We offer a dynamic partnership with the placement schools in the region and we're proud of the highly skilled, passionate teachers we produce.
At UEA, you will be studying a course developed with our partner, the University of Worcester, that Ofsted rated “Outstanding” in 2023.
Why should I study my Secondary PGCE at UEA?
Comprehensive Support: Receive exceptional support from university and school mentors, with regular one-to-one tutorials and expert tutor guidance throughout your training and early career.
Extensive Classroom Experience: Gain 120+ days of teaching in varied school environments, including inner city, rural, and coastal settings, plus opportunities for additional days to rehearse key teaching skills.
Diverse Placements: Experience placements in at least two different schools, enhancing your self-reflection, confidence, and specialisation opportunities.
Specialisation: Develop additional specialisms, such as Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), English as an Additional Language (EAL), Mental Health and Computing, to increase your expertise and boost your career prospects.
Academic and Professional Development: Earn 90 Master's level credits and Qualified Teacher Status. Engage in high-level professional discussions through conferences and additional courses, and learn from a mix of seminars, lectures and placements.
Community and Career Support: Benefit from a welcoming UEA community with career support, health and wellbeing services, and a beautiful campus, fostering lifelong friendships and building your professional network.
Our PGCE Secondary courses
UEA's Secondary PGCE courses cover various subjects and specialisms. Age phase: 11-16 with post-16 enhancement
Secondary PGCE course structure
There are three integrated components to the Secondary PGCE course at the UEA:
Professional Studies
Subject Studies
Throughout your time on the course, you’ll learn to link theory and practice to develop yourself as a reflective classroom practitioner. The course explores pedagogy, practice and wider issues of education and society, enhancing your prospects as a practitioner, and potentially a future leader, in the profession.
We have a strong partnership with our schools, offering you integral and substantial placements in supportive environments. You will spend 120 days teaching in partnership schools across the year, with further days spent in schools focusing on specific teaching skills.
You are encouraged to pursue an area of personal interest through selecting one of our Enhancement Activities (EA), which might include areas such as SEND, Mental Health and EAL.
Teacher Training Events
Attend our free events to get expert advice and information on becoming a teacher and get the chance to speak to our tutors, Admissions Team and current students.
What does Secondary teacher training involve?
Read Charlie's blog to find out what it's like to study a Secondary PGCE at UEA, and discover what a typical day involves.
International student Christian has also written a blog to share his experiences of applying for and training to teach secondary pupils in the UK.
"Enroling onto the PGCE course was one of the most fantastic decisions I could have made in terms of my development and my career going forwards. The opportunities that the course has given me have been crucial for my development as a teacher but also as a person."
(Charlie, PGCE Secondary Physical Education)
Funding your Secondary PGCE course
There are a range of bursaries and scholarships available to help you finance your studies, including fully-funded DfE teacher training bursaries for certain subjects, and tuition fee discounts for UEA alumni.
Ready to Apply?
You can make a start on your application using the GOV.UK service.