University of Southampton

Postgraduate Certificate in Secondary Education

This is a full-time course. You’ll study from September to July, with breaks at Christmas and Easter.

You’ll divide your time between training at the university and training and teaching experience in 2 placement schools. Most of this training is subject-specific.

Typically, the number of days is:

• 120 days of training and teaching experience in 2 placement schools
• 20 days of intensive training split between the university and key partnership schools
• 20+ days of subject-specific training at the university
• Additional professional studies, training and enrichment opportunities at the university

Your main placement will start in late September. Your experienced school-based mentor will guide you through an individualised progression based on your own starting point. By the end of the course in July, you’ll be able to confidently manage an early-career teacher’s timetable. You’ll also train and teach in a contrasting school for long enough to understand the differences between the schools.

We work closely with schools in Southampton and also have strong partnerships with schools throughout Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight. For trainee teachers based in the Salisbury area, we have a long history of working with Salisbury schools to secure excellent placements. Placements take account of where you are living and your transport options, as well as your identified training needs.

The course consists of 4 compulsory modules. These are assessed at Master's level and lead to the award of the PGCE.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our courses 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 A: Perspectives on Behaviour Management
• Assignment B: Subject Pedagogy
• Assignment C: Practitioner Inquiry Project
• Assignment D: Becoming a Teacher

Learning

In your school placements, you’ll have structured opportunities to observe experienced teachers at work and to discuss professional issues with colleagues. You’ll spend the majority of your time learning from practical experience in the classroom.

At university, the learning activities include:

• workshops and seminars
• tutorials
• group activities
• directed study
• independent study and research
• conference days
• guest speakers

Assessment

Assessment is based mainly on your ability to teach. You’ll also have 3 major assignments and several short tasks, for which you’ll receive preparation.

We’ll also assess you using:

• written assignments
• a presentation
• a portfolio