PGCE Secondary French

If you’re considering studying Teacher Training at The University of Manchester, there are a range of ways you can connect with us to find out more, such as:

• Live virtual events hosted by PGCE academic staff
• On-campus events
• Guided campus visits

For more information about upcoming events, please visit our meet us page.

Apply through the government website

You must apply through DfE Apply .

Applications or CVs sent directly to the University will not be considered.

You must submit the following with your completed application form:

• contact details for two referees who can provide a written reference supporting your suitability for teaching
• a personal statement which should be between 500-1000 words in length in a good standard of written English. Here are some examples you could write about (they are just a guide, you do not need to write about all of them):
  • skills you have that are relevant to teaching
  • any experience of working with young people
  • for secondary teacher training: your interest in the subject you want to teach
  • your understanding of why teaching is important
  • your reasons for wanting to train to be a teacher
  • any activities you’ve done that could be relevant to teaching like first aid courses, sports coaching or volunteering
  • AI use in the personal statement will not be tolerated

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as you are able to, once applications open. It is possible that we may need further evidence of qualifications in order to make a decision on your application, so please ensure that all relevant documents are available on request.

Before submitting your DfE application, please make sure that the information you enter regarding your qualifications is correct and accurate.

We have the right to cancel your application if we determine (having carried out any necessary checks), or have reasonable belief, that your application contains false information. If you have any reason to believe that the information we hold about you is untrue, incomplete or inaccurate, you must tell us immediately.

We expect trainees to attend all scheduled sessions from the first day of their PGCE programme: the second week of September for the Secondary trainees. Taught sessions form part of a carefully sequenced curriculum and are not repeated. Missing training, particularly at the start, can leave gaps in the knowledge and practice needed to teach pupils safely and effectively. In addition, significant absence may affect a trainee’s progress and, ultimately, their ability to complete the programme and achieve QTS.

If you have a pre-booked commitment, such as a holiday or wedding, that will prevent you from attending from the start of your programme and cannot be rearranged, please contact the Admissions team before accepting your place. They can discuss your circumstances with you, including whether applying for a future cohort would be more appropriate. Please avoid making new bookings that clash with the programme dates.

Develop the knowledge, skills and classroom experience to teach secondary French.

Our PGCE Secondary French course prepares you to teach French across the 11-16 or 11- 18 age range. You will specialise in French, developing the subject knowledge and teaching skills needed to teach your specialist language. Where appropriate opportunities are available, you may also develop your skills in teaching another curriculum subject.

The course is designed to help you teach the National Curriculum, including GCSE and A-level. Successful completion leads to a postgraduate qualification and recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

University-based sessions give you space to reflect on teaching methods, develop your teaching style and engage critically with curriculum and classroom practice.

You will learn with subject-specialist University tutors who have expertise as teachers and examiners, alongside experienced teachers from our partnership schools. Subject mentors will help you develop your subject knowledge and teaching approaches. We will support you in developing your own teacher identity

We have strong partnerships with schools and colleges, many of which are involved in research projects with the University. We work with a large variety of schools, comprehensives, grammar schools, special schools and sixth form colleges, allowing us to personalise your placement experiences to your individual needs.

This combination of university and school-based training helps you connect subject knowledge, educational theory and practical classroom teaching.

You will:

• Develop a critical awareness of lesson and curriculum planning, spending time on each with school-based mentors and University tutors.
• Develop skills and knowledge in inclusive language teaching.
• Develop pedagogy and gain an understanding of a range of different teaching strategies in the Modern Languages classroom, and also in activities beyond the classroom.
• Develop subject and curriculum knowledge for KS3, KS4 and KS5 languages.

• We have links with more than 200 schools, academies, and colleges, and you will benefit from significant school-based teaching experience.
• Our leading experts in education have trained more than 5,000 teachers in the last 15 years.
• Our students come from all over the globe and are from a variety of backgrounds - from recent graduates to mature learners.
• Contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goal for Quality Education by helping to expand access to high-quality learning and inspire future generations.

Important notice: factors affecting fieldwork and placements

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork and placements. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority.

The School will assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any significant changes to our students at the earliest possible opportunity.

Your school and University experiences are formally assessed. Both your mentors and tutors will help you to record your achievements and set targets from week to week and from placement to placement. 

During each placement, a University tutor will observe you teach and discuss your progress with you and your mentor. 

At the end of each school experience, you will receive a progress report from your mentor. The report will provide clear feedback and targets in the following areas: 

• subject and curriculum knowledge;
• planning and teaching;
• assessment;
• wider professional responsibilities. 

These reports, together with your record of achievement and development, facilitate your progression as a teacher. 

The written assignments will allow you to gain a maximum of 60 master's-level credits, and guidance and support to complete these assignments will be available from your University tutors.

The tutors are super dedicated to teaching us all that they know; they all come with their own experiences, stories, and advice. Our tutors share this with us to help us develop as teachers ourselves. They are always there if you need anything and have answers and advice for whatever you need. 

Naomi Rittey, Student, PGCE Secondary Modern Languages

Read about Naomi's experience  in her student profile.

Completing a PGCE is one route to becoming a qualified teacher. This course is suited to graduates who want to gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and teach French in secondary schools. QTS is needed to teach in state-maintained or special schools in England and Wales.

The PGCE also gives you a postgraduate qualification and can count as 60 of the 180 credits required for a master's degree if you choose to continue your professional development in Education.

Careers support

As a PGCE Secondary French student, you will be supported to prepare for your next steps in teaching and education. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability , such as careers fairs, employer presentations, and workshops through the University's dedicated Careers Service .

As a student at Manchester, you would have full access to this service during your studies and for two years after you graduate.