Chemistry (PGCE)
Southampton, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Scholarships
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Introduction
Develop the skills and subject knowledge to be a fully qualified science teacher, with a specialism in physics, chemistry or biology, in this PGCE Secondary course. You’ll spend time on school placements and at the University of Southampton as you learn how to teach school pupils aged 11 to 16. With this qualification, you’ll be able to teach in state-maintained and special schools in England and Wales.
On this Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) course you’ll build on your existing subject knowledge to become a skilled and confident secondary school science teacher within the UK’s National Curriculum for Science framework.
You’ll specialise in physics, chemistry or biology, but will graduate with the knowledge and skills to teach all 3. You’ll also be qualified to teach your specialist subject to post-16 students.
You’ll learn both the theory and practice of teaching in this course, gaining real-world experience through 2 school placements.
We'll also teach you essential skills and strategies to:
- Manage the Classroom
- Monitor and Assess Pupils
- Teach Inclusively
You'll spend about two-thirds of your time (at least 120 days) in placement schools in the Southampton area. Here you’ll observe lessons and work with small groups of pupils before being introduced to whole-class teaching when you’re ready for it.
We'll make sure you're supported by a school-based mentor throughout your placements.
The rest of your time will be spent at the University, where you’ll build your subject-specific skills and knowledge, prepare for your placements, and evaluate your school-based work.
It has different specialisations such as:
- PGCESec: Biology
- PGCESec: Chemistry
- PGCESec: Physics
Admissions
Curriculum
This is a full-time course. You’ll study from September to June, with breaks at Christmas and Easter. At least 2 days of teacher observation will take place before the start of the main programme.
You’ll divide your time between the University and 2 placement schools. You’ll spend at least 120 days on your placements.
The course consists of 4 compulsory modules. We assess 3 of them at the master’s level and 1 at the undergraduate level. You’ll need to pass the 3 master’s-level modules to gain your PGCE award.
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn in this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
You must study the following modules :
- Assignment 1 (Primary) Beginning to Understand Teaching
- Assignment 2 (Primary) Supporting Learning through an Intervention
- Assignment 3 (Primary) Enhancing Teaching and Learning
- Assignment 4 (Primary) Becoming a Teacher
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Successfully completing this course will give you Qualified Teacher Status in addition to your PGCE award. This means you'll be able to work as a science teacher in state-maintained and special schools in England and Wales.
You’ll also be qualified to teach your specialist science subject to over-16s.
We have high employment rates from our PGCE Secondary courses, with many trainees going on to work in our partnership schools.
If you choose to continue your studies, the credits you build up from your master’s-level modules can be put towards a future master’s degree qualification.
Program delivery
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- Workshops and Seminars
- Tutorials
- Group Activities
- Directed Study
- Independent Study and Research
- Conference Days
- Guest Speakers
Assessment
We’ll assess you using:
- Written Assignments
- A Presentation
- A Portfolio