PGCE - Secondary - Science: Biology

at University of Worcester

Subject Knowledge with a Deep Understanding
 

• Enrich your subject knowledge drawing on the expertise of tutors with national and international research profiles in partnership with school mentors with excellent current practice in your specialist area.
• An excellent teacher requires confident subject knowledge and an understanding about how pupils learn. The majority of your time in university is in subject workshops.

Specialist Subject Opportunities
 

• Present to peers within and beyond the University. 
• Begin networking and start the publishing side of your career.
• Technology Enhanced Learning skills integrated into the subject sessions.
• Links to subject associations

Pedagogy
 

• Understand and apply theory and research on how children learn and develop.
• Explore a range of learning and teaching styles, and classroom organisation.
• Discover how to promote progress through observing, planning, teaching and assessing learning.

Professional Studies
 

• Develop adaptive teaching strategies to respond to the unique needs in a range of contexts, leveraging the diversity inherent in schools.
• Be informed by the research and evidence about effective teaching at a general level before applying this knowledge to subject-specific approaches
• Learn the expectations, standards and behaviours which are appropriate to the profession and the wider responsibilities of a teacher.

Enhancement Activities
 

• Gain expertise through one of our unique Enhancement Activities: PSHE and Citizenship, Developing a Second Subject, English as an Additional Language, Education in Climate Emergency, Teenage Mental Health, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, Research in Education or Technology Enhanced Learning.  In addition we also offer an Aspiring Leaders programme 

Your career
 

• Become a reflective self-evaluating practitioner.
• Enjoy great employment prospects; our support takes you from trainee to ECT (Early Career Teacher) and beyond
• Prepare for leadership and your Masters with 60 credits and a strong research foundation.

Please consult individual subject specialism pages for full details of entry requirements, but most specialisms ask for:

Academic requirements
 

• Honours degree normally (2:2) or higher from a United Kingdom higher education institution or equivalent qualification, in a relevant subject area. Applicants with a 3rd class degree will be considered on an individual basis.
• All entrants have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade 4 (formerly grade C) in the GCSE examinations in English Language and mathematics
• (for entry, applicants must have these qualifications by the start of the course). Alternatively, we offer an equivalency test if you don’t have the required GCSE grade to apply for our courses. Trainees who begin courses before providing evidence of the required GCSE standard (or equivalent) will not be eligible for financial incentives, such as bursaries or grants until they achieve the required standard.

Other information

To help you prepare for your interview you can expect questions covering the following:
 

• the subject knowledge required for teaching the subject curriculum in school

• your ability to critically reflect on your prior experiences in relation to your future development as a teacher

• your understanding of the UK education system and the wider role of a teacher

• how you have overcome challenges in your life and shown resilience

• how you plan to meet the academic and teaching demands of the course.

In addition, we are looking for enthusiasm, commitment, and potential. Clear verbal and written communication skills are integral to this which you will have an opportunity to demonstrate throughout the interview.
 

• School experience is desirable, but not essential.

• Interviews will be conducted online. Applicants will be contacted directly with more details.

UK students
The standard tuition fee for full-time UK students enrolling on a PGCE in the academic year will be £9,250 per year.

International students
The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on a PGCE in the academic year will be £14,400 per year.

• Great employment prospects
• Prepare for leadership and your Masters with 60 credits and a strong research foundation
• Many University of Worcester trainees gain promotion within the first few years of teaching