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PGCE Secondary Physical Education with QTS* at Manchester Metropolitan University - UCAS

Course summary

Our one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) prepares you to teach across the secondary school physical education curriculum for the 11-16 age range.  When you are at Manchester Met, you will practically engage and study physical activities and sports in the English PE curriculum throughout key stage 3 and key stage 4, as well as GCSE and A-Level PE. You will engage with a range core pedagogical theories, physical development theories and practical teaching strategies to develop pupils’ physical skills and fitness, enhance pupils’ knowledge and understanding of PE and health, support social development and create positive emotive experiences in an active learning environment.   Adaptive practice and inclusive learning is at the core of the PGCE Secondary PE practice at Manchester Met. Throughout the course, you will learn how to organise, instruct, model, assess, and fluently adapt teaching and learning in practical and theoretical PE lessons. The majority of the university sessions are delivered in a practical learning environment. These sessions develop subject knowledge, competence and confidence in modelling and affinity within different pedagogical approaches in PE. Sessions will be taught at our world-class facilities at the Platt Lane Sports Complex and the Brooks building in Manchester.    Through peer teaching, you can share experiences and learn from your fellow students in practical lessons, and by delivering theory topics.   Through this PGCE, you’ll be expected to embed yourself in relevant, including child development, subject-specific pedagogy for PE, physical learning theory and engage with technology in PE.    FEATURES AND BENEFITS

  • Employability – You will have the knowledge, skills and experience to teach physical education at Key Stage 3-4, GCSE PE and potentially A-level PE.
  • Teaching experience - You will spend at least the minimum Department for Education (DfE) required time in schools (approximately 120 days) on placements, gaining experience in mainstream secondary schools.
  • Postgraduate credits - When you graduate, you’ll achieve 60 masters level credits (this is one-third of a masters degree). You can put these towards a masters degree to help you develop your new career.
  • Partnerships - We have partnerships with over 500 schools, colleges and educational organisations, meaning we are able to provide students with a range of school experiences.
  • Research-led teaching – Many of our staff are active researchers in education and their research influences our programmes.  The School of Education at Manchester Met ranks in the UK’s top 10 research power in education (Research Excellence Framework, 2021) and the Institute of Children’s Futures launched in November 2024 which brings together academics, policy makers and practitioners to improve the lives of young people.
  • Student support - You’ll receive guidance throughout your journey, including academic support from subject tutors and professional mentoring while on placements, helping you develop the skills and knowledge to meet Teachers’ Standards.

Modules

Please visit the University website for module and placement information: https://www.mmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/course/pgce-secondary-physical-education-with-qts

Assessment method

Please visit the University website for assessment information: https://www.mmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/course/pgce-secondary-physical-education-with-qts

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

Degree You will normally have a minimum of a 2:2 undergraduate honours degree awarded by a UK university, or an equivalent higher education qualification. Your degree needs to support the subject knowledge requirements of the national curriculum for physical education. For exceptional candidates, particularly those with a higher-level degree or substantial relevant work experience in schools or relevant occupations we will consider applications from those who hold a 3rd class degree. GCSE You will also need GCSE at grade C/4 or above in English language and mathematics. You can apply with GCSEs pending for this course and sit the relevant equivalency tests approved by Manchester Met (see our admissions tutor team for approved equivalency providers). As per government requirements for teacher training courses, we are not able to accept key skills, adult numeracy and literacy or functional skills as an alternative to GCSE English language and mathematics. We are not able to consider Level 3 qualifications (e.g. A-levels, BTECs) as an alternative to GCSE English language and mathematics. Successful candidates will demonstrate a good understanding of teaching and learning within a secondary school setting. You may be able to evidence your understanding by drawing on related examples or experiences, such as time spent in schools, other educational settings or wider research and reading. If you are due to graduate or have graduated within the last three years your principal referee must be a university lecturer from where you graduated. Other requirements Appropriate post-16 qualifications. An ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written English. Excellent interpersonal skills. An informed and realistic understanding of the complexities and challenge of teaching in a secondary school. An understanding of how learning develops within an engaging rich and broad context, with recognition of the contribution made by parents and carers. Personal qualities and abilities appropriate to becoming an effective teacher, including a strong motivation to teach young students, an ability to express personal views with clarity and conviction, to listen and respond appropriately to the views of others, awareness of, and commitment to, issues relating to equal opportunities and providing all students with an inclusive learning environment. An awareness of the importance of safeguarding within educational contexts. Intellectual capacity to critically reflect upon experience and personal challenges. A Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Check and DfE Fitness to Teach occupational health clearance is required before you can enrol on this course. Overseas Overseas candidates should have Cambridge Proficiency in English or IELTS Band 7 with no less than 6.0 in any element, taken within two years of course start date. Further details can be found on mmu.ac.uk/international Personal Statement This plays an important role in the admissions process and successful candidates will demonstrate a good understanding of teaching and learning within a secondary school setting. You may be able to evidence your understanding by drawing on related examples or experiences, such as time spent in schools, other educational settings or wider research and reading. Interview You will be expected to attend an interview as part of the application process. Full details of your interview will be provided by email once your initial application has been approved.


Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this 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

Please visit the University website for information on fees and additional costs: https://www.mmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/course/pgce-secondary-physical-education-with-qts
PGCE Secondary Physical Education with QTS* at Manchester Metropolitan University - UCAS