About the course
The course trains you to plan lessons, organise safe investigations, meet the needs of all pupils, manage the learning environment and undertake the assessment.
There are plenty of opportunities to carry out practical work in our spacious school laboratory.
In the first part of the course, the emphasis is on science in the national curriculum and Key Stage 3. In the later stages, you’ll develop your Key Stage 4 teaching and gain experience at Key Stage 5: learning how to challenge and motivate the range of learners staying on in schools and colleges.
Hull is one of the few universities in the country to provide the option of including your PGCE year as the first year of study for an MA in Educational Studies. You can then complete the MA part-time over the following three years, developing your expertise and career prospects.
Employment opportunities are very good since science is a shortage subject nationally and locally. Hull, East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire are popular destinations for our trainees, and you’ll most likely bump into some of our former students on your teaching practices.
We work with a range of schools over a wide geographic area, so you'll gain experience in different settings. Staff in the school will support you throughout your placement.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Education is an initial qualification in education for those who intend to have a career in teaching. Its three main threads are to
- provide you with the information, knowledge and skills to enable you to embark on a teaching career and become an effective teacher
- help you develop a professional interest in educational issues as the basis for further thought or training
- help your personal development in a critical year that bridges the gap between being a student (or doing some other form of work) and becoming a teacher
Theory
Assessment is based on a range of coursework assignments.
Practice
The assessment takes place in schools. You’ll also be assessed on your achievement of the Teachers’ Standards.
You'll spend a total of 120 days in schools during the programme, supported by school mentors, class teachers and University-based tutors.