PGCE information session

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PGCE Secondary Physics

Year of entry: 2024

Overview

Degree awarded
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
Duration
1 year
Entry requirements
  • Minimum 2:2 honours degree in a physical science, e.g. physics, mechanical or electrical engineering. At least half of your degree content should be strongly related to physics (if you are unsure, please contact us to discuss your qualifications).
  • Grade B in physics at A-level (or equivalent), or grade C if you can demonstrate sustained academic progression since A-level, and at least one other science or maths A-level.
  • Minimum grade C or 4 at GCSE (or equivalent) in English language and mathematics.

All places are subject to availability. Due to increased competition, please be advised that there is no guarantee an offer will be made, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements.

Full entry requirements

How to apply

Apply through the government website

Course options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
PGCE Y N N N

Course overview

The university-led PGCE route into teaching seemed to be the most obvious way into teaching for me.

I studied as an undergraduate at The University of Manchester, so I knew what a great University it is and the PGCE course at Manchester is highly regarded.

Will Jones / PGCE Secondary Physics with Maths student
  • Become an outstanding secondary school Physics teacher with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
  • Enjoy extensive periods of classroom experience supported by outstanding tutors and mentors.

Open days

Look at our virtual open day content to help you learn more about the University.

You will be able to watch videos about the University, including accommodation, student finance and course-specific sessions.

We'll update our website once plans for PGCE-specific 2022 recruitment events are confirmed.

We also attend the Department for Education's virtual Train to Teach events .

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • PGCE (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £9,250
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £22,500

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

There are three types of Government funding available for teacher training:

  • tax-free bursary or scholarship;
  • tuition fee loan and maintenance loan;
  • extra financial support if you're a parent or have an adult dependant or a disability.

Depending on your circumstances you could receive all three.

Find out more at the Department for Education website .

You can find out more about the scholarships and bursaries we have available on our funding page .

Contact details

School/Faculty
School of Environment, Education and Development
Contact name
Recruitment and Admissions Team
Telephone
+44 (0)161 543 4710
Email
Website
http://www.seed.manchester.ac.uk/subjects/education/pgce/
School/Faculty
See: The School .

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

  • Minimum 2:2 honours degree in a physical science, e.g. physics, mechanical or electrical engineering. At least half of your degree content should be strongly related to physics (if you are unsure, please contact us to discuss your qualifications).
  • Grade B in physics at A-level (or equivalent), or grade C if you can demonstrate sustained academic progression since A-level, and at least one other science or maths A-level.
  • Minimum grade C or 4 at GCSE (or equivalent) in English language and mathematics.

All places are subject to availability. Due to increased competition, please be advised that there is no guarantee an offer will be made, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements.

English language

In addition to a grade C at GCSE in English Language, applicants whose first language is not English are required to meet the following language requirements:
  • IELTS 6.5 overall, 6.5 in writing, no sub-section below 6.0, or
  • TOEFL iBT overall score of 90 with a minimum score of 22 in writing and 20 in the other sub-sections, or
  • Pearson PTE overall score of 62 with a minimum score of 62 in writing and 59 in the other sub-sections, or
  • Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) overall score of 176 or above, with 176 in writing and no sub-section below 169.

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Relevant work experience

We recommend that you spend at least two days observing secondary school or sixth form teaching prior to attending an interview.

Professional entry qualification

Applicants who do not meet this criteria, but who have four years of relevant postgraduate employment or voluntary work, may be considered at the discretion of the Admissions Tutor.

Application and selection

How to apply

Advice to applicants

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

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.

Interview requirements

Your application will be assessed by our admissions team and if successful, we will invite you to an online interview. All universities interview candidates for PGCE courses.

The interview process includes the following:

  • an introductory talk from University lecturers;
  • a personal online interview with one of our tutors and a teacher from a partnership school;
  • Secondary PGCE applicants will be asked to conduct a short teaching task and complete a subject knowledge assessment.

Aptitude test requirement

The Government is replacing the professional skills tests with a new system of provider-led assurance in relation to trainees' fundamental knowledge in English and Mathematics. Under this new approach you will not be required to pass professional skills tests prior to commencing your PGCE, but you will need to demonstrate your fundamental knowledge by the end of the programme.

Fitness to practise / health requirements

If your application is successful, we will require you to comply with a confidential health screening check as advised by the Department for Education. 

Health screening will be undertaken by the Student Occupational Health Service, who will advise on any follow-up vaccinations or other intervention which may be indicated.

Disclosure and Barring Service check

If your application is successful, we will require you to comply with an enhanced check through the Disclosure and Barring Service as advised by the Department for Education. 

You must also meet the University's suitability requirements for the safeguarding of children.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry.

In your new application, you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

Course details

Course description

PGCE Secondary Science (Physics) will train you to become a Physics teacher across the 11 to 16 or 11 to 18 age range. You will be trained to teach across all sciences up to KS3.

The course will prepare you to teach the National Curriculum and related national strategies, GCSE and A-level. Completion leads to both a postgraduate qualification and recommendation for qualified teacher status (QTS).

University-based sessions will enable you to reflect on teaching methods and engage critically with the Science curriculum. Experienced teachers will work alongside PGCE tutors, plus visitors from exam boards and the Institute of Physics.

Some sessions are run with the University's science departments to benefit fully from the University's resources, and with Manchester Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester.

Find out more about your Science tutors Rob BuckZahra Alijah , Naina Kotecha and Andy Howes .

Aims

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 Science teaching, considering how to include marginalised narratives in the curriculum; 
  • develop pedagogy and gain an understanding of a range of different teaching strategies in the Science classroom, and in activities beyond the classroom; 
  • develop subject and curriculum knowledge for KS3, KS4 and KS5 Science.

Special features

  • Our PGCEs are rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted (2019), and we have been judged best university provider of initial teacher training in the North of England (Good Teacher Training Guide 2017). 
  • 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 a variety of backgrounds - from recent graduates to mature learners. 
  • Our research improves the quality of education across the world, with 78% of our activity defined as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' (Research Excellence Framework 2014).

Teaching and learning

The structure of our PGCEs includes both school-based and university-based learning.

On our secondary PGCEs, around two-thirds of your time will be spent in secondary schools, academies and colleges on placements.

The course is run in partnership with schools and colleges drawn from a wide area, including Bolton, Bury, Cheshire, Deeside, Lancashire, Manchester, Merseyside, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Staffordshire, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Warrington and Wigan.

The University's partnership schools are highly committed to giving you the best experience while on your school placements, providing you with the opportunity to put into practice all the knowledge you have acquired from sessions held at the University.

When on placement, you will observe and teach classes under the guidance of an experienced teacher. You will have a mentor to help you to plan lessons, deal with marking and assessment, and improve your teaching skills.

Peer observations of lessons will enable you to participate actively in yours and your fellow students' development as teachers.

You will be provided with significant responsibility to develop your own teaching style, set targets, take your own initiatives and evaluate your own work in planning, teaching and assessing.

Your remaining time will be spent at the University, for example in lectures and seminars, and subject-specific groups.

We will support your training to become a secondary school teacher by providing:

  • a quality teaching experience in our partner schools and colleges;
  • a study of current, challenging educational issues;
  • careers planning and early professional development;
  • guidance and support from experienced tutors and mentors;
  • opportunities for reflective practice and research.

As a guide, you should anticipate that time in university-based learning combined with school-based placements will roughly equate to a full-time job, with additional time required in evenings and weekends for background reading, lesson planning and completing written assignments.

Coursework and assessment

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.

Facilities

The course is taught by the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE), with most PGCE University days based there in University's Ellen Wilkinson building, centrally located on the University's Oxford Road campus, close to the Main Library, Alan Gilbert Learning Commons and the Students Union.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

Completing a PGCE is one route to becoming a fully qualified teacher. This form of teacher training is recommended for anyone with an undergraduate degree who is looking to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

You need QTS to teach in a state-maintained or special school in England and Wales. While other routes to gain QTS exist, they do not all come with the postgraduate qualification of a PGCE. A PGCE from The University of Manchester is a valued qualification regionally, nationally and internationally.

When you study a PGCE with us, we help you prepare for a successful career in education. You will be given clear direction, advice and support when making applications for teaching posts and our employment rates are consistently high.

In addition to this, a PGCE qualification can count as 60 of the 180 credits required for a master's degree, and The University of Manchester offers a range of postgraduate Education courses should you wish to continue your professional development by completing a master's as you progress further in your career.

View  careers and employability  for more information.

Careers support

The University has its own dedicated  Careers Service  that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate.

At Manchester you will have access to a number of  opportunities to help boost your employability .