Postgraduate Certificate in Secondary Teaching leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS): Citizenship with Social Science
Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
Postgraduate Certificate
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 18,500 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* there is no application deadline for postgraduate courses
** International full-time study |£9,535: home full-time study. Additional fees may apply
Key Summary
Are you a Social Science and Humanities graduate, passionate about inspiring young people to become active, engaged citizens?
Kingston University's Citizenship with Social Sciences PGCE is the perfect platform for you to kickstart your teaching career. Our aim is to develop confident, values-driven teachers ready to make a positive impact on young people's lives.
This innovative, future-facing teacher education program will give you the skills you need to build students' critical understanding of key citizenship and social science concepts. For example, citizenship topics include identity, rights, democracy, and justice. Meanwhile, the Social Science component of this course will equip you to teach Sociology, Politics, and Psychology to 14-19-year-olds. Developing such a wide range of skills will ensure you can meet curriculum requirements for teaching 11-16-year-olds, including GCSEs, and enhance your employability.
Our PGCE blends academic learning with practical classroom experience. You will gain essential skills like empathy, creativity, and digital competency. In addition, you will collaborate with institutions like the Houses of Parliament and the Association for Citizenship Teaching.
You will have the chance to put your learning into practice at Kingston's partnership schools. These schools, alongside the University, will provide the personalised support you need to achieve your best and go on to a successful and fulfilling career in secondary education.
The rest of the time will be spent being taught by highly experienced professionals. The Department of Education provides the latest in classroom technology to ensure you embark on your work experience with the utmost confidence.
As a result, this course will prepare you for a successful career as a research-engaged Citizenship and/or Social Sciences teacher. You’ll learn how to use evidence to drive improvements in young people's learning and wellbeing.
Why choose this course
Ready to shape the future of education? If our vision and values resonate with your goals, start your teaching journey with Kingston University.
Ambitious curriculum
Our curriculum fully integrates the ITT Core Content Framework (CCF) in line with DfE requirements, sequencing theory and practice to support your development throughout the year. It includes innovations like AI integration to enhance your planning and teaching. Intensive Training and Practice elements focused on behaviour management, inclusive practice, and questioning, prepare you for the next stage in your professional development as an Early Career Teacher (ECT).
Expert guidance
Learn from research-engaged subject-specialists who employ evidence-based teaching approaches. Through critical analysis of theory and research, and observation of expert practice, you'll gain a deep understanding of your subject and the practical pedagogical skills needed for teaching.
Strong support
Benefit from strong school partnerships, high-quality pastoral support and mentor training, all aimed at ensuring your success in achieving Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Our commitment to staff and student wellbeing provides a solid foundation for a career in teaching and working with children and young people.
Future-facing, real-world application
The Professional Practice module is central to our PGCE and allows you to apply university learning to your classroom experience, emphasising skills of empathy, adaptability, creativity, collaboration, and digital competency—essential elements for effective teaching practice now and for your future career.
In addition to gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in accordance with government standards, you will also receive the award of PGCE with 60 credits towards our Master of Education (MA), which you can continue with beyond your PGCE year.
Education research
Many of our staff are research active. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
Education research areas at Kingston University:
- Subject pedagogy
- Curriculum design
- Planning
- Assessment
- Safeguarding
- SEND and inclusive practice
- Early Years
- Supporting more able learners
- Educational inequalities
- Policy
- History of education
Funding support for PGCE students
Eligible UK and EU students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
Please be aware: although this course is at postgraduate level, as it is possible to obtain a tuition fee loan for PGCE courses they are to be treated as undergraduate courses when it comes to tuition fee liability as a result of withdrawal or break in studies.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying Citizenship with Social Science PGCE at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support:
- Department for Education bursaries and scholarships
- International scholarships
- Progression Scholarship
- Discounts for Kingston University alumni
Year 1
Core modules
- Perspectives on Policy, Practice and Professionalism for Teachers
- Reflexive Teaching
Teaching and assessment
Your taught sessions will be a mix of seminars, lectures, practical workshops, field trips and work with pupils. Peer-led critical support groups will also feature in the programme. Most of your sessions will be taught by University tutors but there may also be guest speakers, such as headteachers or subject leaders.
Guided independent study (self-managed time)
When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.
Support for postgraduate students
As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services.
Your workload
- Scheduled learning and teaching: 300 hours
- Guided independent study (self-managed time): 570 hours
- Placement: 120 days
Contact hours may vary depending on your modules.
How you will be assessed
You will not be required to take any exams. Your academic work will be assessed through coursework, such as essays and presentations.
At the end of each school placement, your teaching will be assessed to ensure you are making appropriate progress and have engaged with the five core areas as outlined in the Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (DfE, 2024). This will ensure that you are able to meet the Teachers' Standards (DfE, 2021) by the end of the course.
The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows.
- 100% coursework (portfolio-based)
Feedback summary
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
The course aims to develop your professional skills to help you gain employment in a secondary school and continue with your professional development. Over 95% of our graduates enter the teaching profession after they complete their course. Many go into middle and senior management roles in schools.
Classroom experience
The course has been designed to allow trainees to spend 120 days in school, ensuring you start your teaching career with confidence. A school-based professional mentor and tutors from the University will support you during your placements.
You will benefit from two contrasting placements with our partnership schools. Whilst on placement, students are expected to carry out the normal school hours and engage in school life. This expectation includes attending early morning/evening meetings, which will vary depending on the school.
Links with schools
We have links with:
- a strong partnership of schools and settings in which you'll train
- special schools
- teaching school alliances
- multi-academy trusts
- schools and settings-centred Initial Teacher Training providers
- local authorities
- teaching unions
- other universities around the country to share good practice