| Student type | Fees to pay |
|---|---|
| UK students | £9,250 |
| International students | £19,800 |
University of East Anglia Science (specialising in Biology) (C1X1)
Postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) with qualified teacher status (QTS)
- Financial support
- Bursaries and student finance are available if you’re eligible
- Qualification
-
PGCE with QTS
A postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) with qualified teacher status (QTS) will allow you to teach in state schools in England and may allow you to teach in other parts of the UK.
It may also allow you to teach overseas, though you should always check what qualifications are needed in the country you’d like to teach in.
Many PGCE courses include credits that count toward a Master’s degree.
- Age range
- 11 to 16 - secondary
- Course length
- 38 weeks - full time
- Date you can apply from
- 11 October 2022
- Date course starts
- September 2023
- Website
- https://www.uea.ac.uk/web/about/school-of-education-and-lifelong-learning/initial-teacher-education
Contents
- Course summary
- School placements
- Entry requirements
- About the training provider
- Fees and financial support
- Interview process
- International candidates
- Training with disabilities and other needs
- Contact this training provider
- Support and advice
- Apply
Course summary
Our 38 week, full-time PGCE Secondary Science (specialising in Biology) programme will equip you with the skills, experience and knowledge you need to teach Biology to pupils aged between 11 and 16, with 6th form enhancement.
As a Biology specialist, you will explore exciting and innovative biological practical activities to inspire and engage your pupils. You’ll also learn how to organise and deliver fieldwork activities during our field trip to the North Norfolk coast. You’ll be given plenty of support for teaching outside your main science specialism with additional subject knowledge sessions in all three sciences, delivered in our bespoke school labs on campus.
Upon successful completion of your PGCE, you will graduate with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and 90 Master’s credits.
School placements
School experience takes place in our partnership schools across the region.
During the two extensive placements in our partnership schools, you will gain a broad range of practical teaching experience. You will learn to put ideas and theory into practice.
Entry requirements
Qualifications needed
An undergraduate degree at class 2:2 or above, or equivalent.
Your degree subject should be in biology or a similar subject. Otherwise you’ll need to prove your subject knowledge in some other way.
Grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths, or equivalent qualification.
We will not consider candidates with pending GCSEs.
We’ll consider candidates who need to take a GCSE equivalency test in English or maths.
You should have received a certificate from your equivalency test before submitting your application.
We only accept English and Maths tests taken via equivalencytesting.com, with grades of A*-C or 4-9.
Please note: It is up to the discretion of the Initial Teacher Training provider as to whether an appropriate level has been satisfactorily achieved. We therefore strongly urge candidates with equivalent qualifications to check with us that these are acceptable before making their application.
Personal qualities
Trainees are selected on the basis of their application form, interview and references. You are encouraged to prepare thoroughly.
Application forms should demonstrate strengths in subject and curriculum knowledge, your enthusiasm and commitment to a career in teaching, and the age range for which you have applied.
Other requirements
Prior to submitting your application, we recommend you gain some observational experience in a classroom environment if possible. This will help you gain an up-to-date understanding of how classrooms are managed and how teaching and learning takes place.
Applicants must also obtain:
- An Enhanced Criminal Records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service
- A satisfactory Health Check. All PGCE trainee teachers must meet the Secretary of State’s requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach. All trainee teachers must have the health and physical capacity to teach and not put children and young people at risk of harm.
Fees and financial support
For any additional course costs at the University of East Anglia please visit our website
Financial support from the training provider
Find out more about the Financial Support available within our course pages
About the training provider
UEA is a top UK university with an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research. We’re ranked among the top 182 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022).
The School of Education and Lifelong Learning is internationally recognised for the quality of its educational research. Our research has made a difference in schools across the country, influencing approaches to managing classroom behaviour, understanding students’ motivation, and creating effective communities for learning.
All of our PGCE tutors have experience of school teaching and leadership, and all are specialists in particular areas of the curriculum. You will be well-supported throughout your PGCE, both during your time on placement and on campus.
Imagine a career where you inspire, motivate, and unlock the full potential of those around you. Teaching is something that can truly make a difference.
Interview process
Interviews are part of the formal selection process. You will need to present yourself well, come prepared, and dress smartly. Your interview day will include:
- An introductory talk
- An individual interview
- A written task
- Engage in small group discussion
You may also be asked to complete other relevant tasks such as:
- Giving a presentation
- A group interview
- Literacy, numeracy and subject knowledge questions
International candidates
You’ll need the right to study in the UK. You already have this if, for example, you:
- are an Irish citizen
- have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (you may still be able to apply)
- have indefinite leave to remain in the UK
If you do not already have the right to study in the UK for the duration of this course, you may need to apply for a Student visa.
To do this, you’ll need to be sponsored by your training provider.
Before you apply for this course, contact us to check Student visa sponsorship is available. If it is, and you get a place on this course, we’ll help you apply for your visa.
Alternatively, check if you’re eligible for a different type of visa, such as a Graduate or Family visa, that allows you to train to be a teacher without being sponsored.
Find out more about training to teach in England.
International qualifications
If your qualifications come from a non-UK institution, we may want to see a ‘statement of comparability’ from UK ENIC. This will show us how they compare to UK qualifications.
You can call Get Into Teaching on 0800 389 2500 for:
- guidance on the UK equivalents of your qualifications
- a free statement of comparability once you’ve submitted your application (if we ask you for this)
Training with disabilities and other needs
UEA operates an equal opportunities policy and welcomes applications from people with disabilities.
All PGCE trainee teachers must meet the Secretary of State’s requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach. All candidates offered a place are required to complete a health declaration form. If this reveals a need, UEA will consider reasonable adjustments, which may include particular school placements, and other support and monitoring during the course.
Find out more about the information and advice available through UEA’s Wellbeing Service
Contact this training provider
- edu.pgce.admiss@uea.ac.uk
- Telephone
- (+44) (0)1603 592855
- Website
- https://www.uea.ac.uk/web/about/school-of-education-and-lifelong-learning/initial-teacher-education
- Address
-
University of East Anglia
Norwich Research Park
Norwich
Norfolk
NR4 7TJ
Support and advice
You can speak to a teacher training adviser for free, dedicated advice. They are all experienced teachers who can give you one-to-one support with your application. They can also help you get school experience, and find events where you can speak to training providers and teachers.
Call Get Into Teaching free of charge on 0800 389 2500, or chat online Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm (except public holidays).
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