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Postgraduate Certificate Secondary Education (QTS) at University of Birmingham - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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Open days

19Mar
University of Birmingham - Postgraduate Open Day
Postgraduate

Course summary

  • The one year Postgraduate Certificate Diploma in Education leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Our specialist programmes, which offer high quality training and support, will prepare you to teach in the 11-18 age range and are run in close partnership with schools.*
Start your teaching journey with our specialist programme. Receive expert education and support to inspire young minds in the 11-18 age range, through close partnerships with schools. The subjects that we currently offer are:
  • English
  • Geography
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Modern Languages: French/German/Spanish
  • Physical Education
  • Religious Education
  • Science: Biology
  • Science: Chemistry
  • Science: Physics
  • Engineers Teach Physics
The course develops your skills and abilities in understanding the complexities which surround the teaching and learning of your chosen subject. This will help you to develop into a reflective teacher who carefully considers the choices in how to teach your subject and make informed decisions about how you work best with pupils. The Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) offered by the University of Birmingham combines theory and professional practice leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The PGCE also offers 60 credits that may be used to contribute to further study towards a Master’s degree, such as the MA in Teaching Studies offered by the University of Birmingham. School-based work is an important part of the programme, with students normally spending a total of 28 weeks working in schools. During the programme you benefit from both carefully supported introductory work in different schools and the experience of spending a significant length of time in two schools. The final assessment of teaching is based on the spring/summer term school placement. Assessment is shared between University tutors, staff responsible for students in schools, and external examiners. All aspects of your contribution to the life of the school are taken into account, in particular the teaching of your main subject. During the course supervised experience and practice are arranged in schools of various kinds across the 11–18 age range. We are fortunate in being able to work with a wide range of partnership schools, including mixed comprehensives, single-sex schools, sixth-form colleges, and our own University Training School. Many of the schools offer opportunities to work with pupils from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Secondary

Entry requirements

All applicants to Secondary PGCE (QTS) programmes must hold a degree from a UK HEI (or an equivalent qualification) in a relevant subject, as well as GCSE Maths and English (Grade 4/C or above) or equivalent qualifications which will be a condition of any offer, if not already achieved. Equivalency tests will be accepted but only from equivalency testing. Please see individual subject pages for further information. If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact us on [email protected] You must also: complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before taking up a place. complete relevant checks to ensure you have the health and physical capacity to teach. agree to abide by the University of Birmingham Code of Professional Conduct and Fitness to Practise.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9250 Whole course
Northern Ireland £9250 Whole course
Scotland £9250 Whole course
Wales £9250 Whole course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

For more detailed information on available funding and fees for postgraduate courses please visit: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/fees-funding
Postgraduate Certificate Secondary Education (QTS) at University of Birmingham - UCAS