Course summary

*with a recommendation for QTS Our one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) prepares you to teach the secondary school music curriculum for the 11-16 age range. This is a practical course where you will be immersed in music-making and teaching and encouraged to use and develop your musical skills. You’ll be taught through hands-on sessions and explore topics that support musical learning, using both acoustic and digital instruments to strengthen your subject knowledge. You’ll consider creative and inclusive ways to teach music and how to engage pupils in meaningful musical experiences. A key focus of the course is on teaching music musically. You’ll learn how to plan and deliver lessons that are rich in musical content and activity - lessons that enable pupils to make, understand, and enjoy music, rather than simply learning about it. You’ll also actively engage with how music education can promote inclusion and support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), exploring strategies that make music accessible and meaningful for all learners. We have a strong partnership with the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), with some elements of the course co-delivered by RNCM colleagues. When you’re at Manchester Met, you’ll mainly study with your PGCE music group - one of your greatest learning resources.  You’ll learn how to plan lessons, consider how research informs effective teaching, and reflect on your developing teacher persona. Peer collaboration is also central to the course, enabling you to share knowledge and experience with your fellow trainees.  Features and Benefits

• Employability - You’ll have the skills and experience to teach music at Key Stage 3, GCSE and potentially A/AS-levels.

• Teaching experience - You will spend at least the minimum Department for Education (DfE) required time (approximately 120 days) on placement, 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.