Why choose this course?
The award of PGCE is offered at two levels, Professional Graduate Certificate in Education and Postgraduate Certificate in Education - where Masters-level credits can be gained. Both are recognised teaching qualifications, but the postgraduate award will allow fast-track entry to Masters courses. The choice of which qualification to take will be made while on the course. Successful completion of the course will lead to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
The course aims to develop an understanding of ICT and computer science, the principles involved in the teaching and learning of the subject across the full age and ability range and the professional values and practice, subject knowledge and understanding commensurate with the particular subject specialism. This includes how children learn and how they develop cognitively, socially and physically and the understanding, skills and personal qualities necessary for managing the learning environment.
All trainees undertake a course of education and professional studies which develops the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for a first teaching post in a secondary school and builds a foundation for further professional development. This is a sequence of whole cohort keynote lectures on whole school topics that affect all trainees. They are supported by seminar opportunities guided by specialists who help trainees to make appropriate connections with their subject specialisms.
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Entry requirements: Please see the
Applying section
Starting: September
Course length: One year full-time
Study location: Clifton campus
Fees and funding:
Please see our Fees and Funding page for details.
ICT continues to be a rapidly expanding area in schools. The PGCE Information Communications Technology and Computer Science course will enable newly qualified teachers to teach ICT and Computer Science with confidence, inspiring and challenging pupils in the 11-18 age phase. The course will include education professional studies, subject application studies and school experience.
What will I study?
Subject teaching studies will include:
- lesson planning and schemes of work
- monitoring and assessment
- special educational needs
- philosophy of ICT in education
- classroom management
- ICT and Computer Science frameworks and specifications.
You will also cover managing ICT across the curriculum, including:
- theory to practice
- teaching
- learning and pedagogy
- resourcing and resources in ICT
- Computer Science education
- knowledge
- skills
- understanding.
You will also study the personal development of capability and health, safety and legal issues.
How will I be assessed?
University-based subject application studies and education and professional studies are continuously assessed by course work on a modular basis. A separate, formal assessment also takes place in practical teaching. Students are required to pass two skills tests in numeracy and literacy before their training year commences.
Funding
Home students can apply for a student loan for tuition and maintenance fees. In addition students may be eligible for maintenance or special support grants. More information on the funding for Initial Teacher-Training courses can be found on Gov.uk and the Teaching Agency (formerly TDA) website.
Your career development
The vocational nature of the PGCE Secondary and the fact that successful completion of the course leads to a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) means that graduates are ideally placed to pursue a career as a teacher in a secondary school or college.
Excellent placement opportunities
School or college experience is central to the course and at least 24 weeks are spent on placement in at least two different secondary schools or colleges. During the first phase, two days of school or college experience each week for three weeks are spent in school leading up to a six-week block placement. Trainee teachers are gradually given more responsibility and increase their contribution in both the classroom and to the corporate life of the school.
The second phase begins with a two day, weekly attachment for the first three weeks of the spring term, leading up to the final assessed 13-week block placement. In both placements the training programme is planned by mentors to allow progressive acquisition of the skills, knowledge and understanding students need to be recommended for the award of QTS.
Students are formally observed on a regular basis by their subject mentor as well as receiving a number of visits from the University, to monitor their progress, support their development and undertake their assessment.
Entry requirements
You will need:
- a good UK honours degree or equivalent, preferably at a minimum 2.2 in a related subject
- GCSE English and Mathematics at minimum grade C or equivalent (these must have been gained prior to application)
- at least two weeks' school observation experience
- A Disclosure and Barring Service check (formerly known as a Criminal Records Bureau, or CRB disclosure)
- to undertake an interview as part of the selection process.
International and EU students also need to meet the English language requirements. Also see the full list of alternative qualifications for EU and international students.
How to apply
Applications should be made directly to the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR). As soon as the completed forms are sent to us from the GTTR, we invite selected candidates to attend for interview.
GTTR code: IX99
For a hard copy application form
Telephone +44 (0)1242 544788 or write to:
GTTR
Rose Hill
New Barn Lane
Cheltenham
GL52 3LZ
Professional skills tests
If you apply for a teacher training course which starts after 1 July 2013, then you must pass professional skills tests in numeracy and literacy as part of the application process. You must have passed these tests before you start the course.
Registration and booking for the skills tests will be available from 17 September 2012 on the Department for Education website.
Find out more about the tests and how to prepare for them with our teacher training skills tests FAQs sheet 
English language entry requirements
English language entry requirements for courses in the School of Education and a full list of all English language qualifications accepted by the University.
