PGCE Secondary Economics and Business Education (14-19) with Lead Programme Partners
Year of entry: 2027
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Overview
- Degree awarded
- PG Certificate in Education
- Duration
- TBC
- Entry requirements
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- 2:2 honours degree or above in economics or a related subject, with a minimum of 50% content directly related to economics (if you are unsure, please contact us to discuss your qualifications).
- 104 UCAS points at A Level including B in Economics and ideally an A Level/BTEC in Business. C will be considered if you have further study in Economics, Business or relevant work experience
- Minimum grade C or 4 at GCSE (or equivalent) in English language and mathematics.
- How to apply
Course options
| Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGCE | Y | N | N | N |
Course overview
Train to teach Business Education across the 14 to 19 age range through a school-led partner route.
- Prepare for a career as a secondary Business Education teacher and gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status.
- Learn in Greater Manchester through University-based training and extended school experience with a Lead Programme Partner.
- Develop practical classroom confidence through a modified PGCE timetable with increased contact in your partner school.
- Study at a university ranked in the UK top ten for Education in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
Our students. Real experiences. Visit the Students Stories page to hear from our students as they share what it’s really like to study here.
Open days
The University holds regular events throughout the year, including webinars and the annual on-campus Master’s Expo, all of which offer the opportunity to find out more about our facilities and courses from our academic and admissions staff.
We also attend a number of education fairs both in the UK and overseas throughout the year.
For more details on how you can meet us, visit out events page: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/masters/meet-us/
Fees
Fees for entry in 2027 have not yet been set. For reference, the fees for the academic year beginning September 2026 were as follows:
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PGCE (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £9,790
International, including EU, students (per annum): £24,700
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
We know that student finance can be complicated. The links below provide further information to help guide you.
- Learn more about - student finance options for UK students .
- Learn more about - fees and finance for international students .
- Graduates of The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University can receive a 10% discount on their master's degree tuition fees as part of our Manchester Alumni Loyalty Discount scheme.
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. Learn more on the Department for Education website.
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Environment, Education and Development
- Contact name
- Admissions Team
- Telephone
- 0161 543 4710 (9.30AM-1PM)
- pgce@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- http://www.seed.manchester.ac.uk/subjects/education/pgce/
- School/Faculty overview
-
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
- 2:2 honours degree or above in economics or a related subject, with a minimum of 50% content directly related to economics (if you are unsure, please contact us to discuss your qualifications).
- 104 UCAS points at A Level including B in Economics and ideally an A Level/BTEC in Business. C will be considered if you have further study in Economics, Business or relevant work experience
- Minimum grade C or 4 at GCSE (or equivalent) in English language and mathematics.
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 70 with a minimum score of 70 in writing and 64 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
IMPORTANT NOTE: We cannot accept Home/ Online versions of English tests, such as IELTS Online or TOEFL Home Edition.
English language test validity
Relevant work experience
Professional entry qualification
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
When choosing a School Direct route, you should identify the arrangement that the School Direct lead school has made for delivery of School Direct with The University of Manchester, as this will determine your pattern of training.
You should also clarify the 'expectations' to employ by the lead school - while schools can offer you a permanent role at the end of the training, there is no guarantee of employment.
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 (2 sections: maximum 600 words for the 1 st question; maximum 400 words for the 2 nd question) detailing your commitment to and enthusiasm for teaching, your rationale for applying to be a teacher in your subject, an awareness of the role and responsibilities of the teacher, relevant experience suggesting suitability for the role, and a good standard of written English.
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.
How your application is considered
The University and the lead school will review your application jointly.
The lead school will advise you if you are invited for an online interview. If successful at interview, a formal offer would then be made by the University.
Interview requirements
Aptitude test requirement
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
Prepare to teach Business Education through a school-led PGCE route in Greater Manchester.
PGCE Secondary Business Education (14-19) with Lead Programme Partners provides practical training and theoretical knowledge to help you become a confident Business Education teacher. You will focus on the 14 to 19 age range and gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status.
You will follow a PGCE course structure, with a modified timetable that includes increased contact with your Lead Programme Partner school. Compared with non-Lead Programme Partner teacher trainees, you will benefit from additional time in school before the PGCE starts and throughout the course.
The course focuses on practical training in teaching and learning-related skills. You will spend 25 weeks experiencing and working in different types of school, including opportunities to work in a primary setting and teach in at least two different secondary schools.
Your practical training is underpinned by educational theories, ideas and concepts, including current issues and developments in education. This will help you connect professional knowledge with classroom practice as you develop your teaching approach. We will support you in developing your own teacher identity.
We work with numerous schools in Greater Manchester to offer the Lead Programme Partner route into teaching. Lead Programme Partner schools recruit and select their own trainees, with the expectation that trainees may go on to work within the school, or group of schools, in which they trained, although employment is not guaranteed.
Aims
You will:
- gain quality teaching experience in our partner schools and colleges;
- study current, challenging educational issues;
- receive careers planning and early professional development guidance and support from experienced tutors and mentors;
- receive opportunities for reflective practice and research.
Special features
- 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.
Teaching and learning
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.
The role of SEED
- changes to the rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments;
- a risk assessment conducted by or on behalf of the University identifying unmanageable risk;
- changes that enhance the educational value and student experience of the activity;
- changes to the situation of a placement provider (for example, which cause them to be unable to accept students);
- the unavailability of appropriate insurance cover;
- the unavailability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs;
- where fieldwork and placements are a compulsory element of the Programme, they will be replaced with something academically similar;
- where a trip or placement is not a compulsory element of the Programme, it may not be replaced.
We will consult with affected students at the earliest possible opportunity and explore the options available to them.
The duty of students
Preparation, attendance and conduct
Attendance at preparatory classes is a compulsory pre-requisite of the fieldwork and placements to ensure safety and learning outcomes are met.
Students who do not attend the compulsory preparatory classes may be prevented from participating in the fieldwork or placement. It is the duty of students to discuss any attendance issues with the field course or placement convenor.
Students are representatives of the university during their fieldwork or placement. Behaviour deemed by the convenor to be unacceptable may result in students being sent home.
Where a student is unable to attend or complete the fieldwork or placement (e.g. due to mitigating circumstances), is prevented from attending due to absence from compulsory preparatory classes, or returned home due to poor conduct:
- a suitable alternative assessment will be offered (as appropriate) to ensure that the programme ILOs are met, and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
- the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.
Immigration, passport and visa requirements
It is the responsibility of the individual student to ensure they have:
- a valid passport to enter the destination country (including sufficient months prior to expiry);
- a valid visa (where required) and comply with its requirements.
The School cannot guarantee that visas required for fieldwork or a placement will be granted by the relevant authority. Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa regulations at short notice.
Where a student is unable to attend fieldwork or a placement because they do not have the required visa or passport:
- a suitable alternative assessment will be offered to ensure that the programme ILOs are met and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
- the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.
Course collaborators
View our current School Direct training partners.
At the end of the course, your lead school may offer you a permanent role.
Facilities
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
Career opportunities
This PGCE with Lead Programme Partners is one route into a career as a qualified secondary Business Education teacher. It is designed for graduates who want to gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status and develop practical school experience across the 14 to 19 age range. Graduates may progress into teaching posts in secondary schools, special schools or post-16 education settings, depending on their experience and opportunities available. A PGCE can also support longer-term professional development in education, including progression to further postgraduate study. A PGCE qualification can count as 60 of the 180 credits required for a master’s degree.
Careers support
As a trainee Business Education teacher, you will be supported to prepare for teaching applications and future opportunities in 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.
