Secondary Education (QTS)

The one year Secondary Education (QTS) from University of Birmingham leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and offers 120 credits towards our MA Teaching Studies. Our specialist programs, which offer high quality training and support, will prepare you to teach in the 11-18 age range and are run in close partnership with schools.

The Secondary Education (QTS) program from University of Birmingham will include the study of subject-based teaching methods as well as the study of broader whole school issues.

A variety of teaching styles and approaches to learning will be used in the presentation of the themes. These include University-based lectures, small group seminars and workshops, school-based work with pupils and teachers, and work undertaken individually or with other groups of students.

The one-year PGCE (QTS) course prepares you for life as a teacher of your subject in secondary schools.

The course develops your skills and abilities in understanding the complexities which surround the teaching and learning of your chosen subject. This will help you to develop into a reflective teacher who carefully considers the choices in how to teach your subject and make informed decisions about how you work best with pupils.

The Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) offered by the University of Birmingham combines theory and professional practice leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The PGCE also offers 60 credits that may be used to contribute to further study towards a Master’s degree, such as theMA in Teaching Studiesoffered by the University of Birmingham.

School-based work is an important part of the program, with students normally spending a total of 28 weeks working in schools. During the program you benefit from both carefully supported introductory work in different schools and the experience of spending a significant length of time in two schools.

The final assessment of teaching is based on the spring/summer term school placement. Assessment is shared between University tutors, staff responsible for students in schools, and external examiners. All aspects of your contribution to the life of the school are taken into account, in particular the teaching of your main subject.

During the course supervised experience and practice are arranged in schools of various kinds across the 11–18 age range. We are fortunate in being able to work with a wide range of partnership schools, including mixed comprehensives, single-sex schools, sixth-form colleges, and our ownUniversity Training School. Many of the schools offer opportunities to work with pupils from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds.

Equal Opportunities

The School of Education and University of Birmingham is committed to equal opportunities in the access to and provision of education. For more information please see the following documents:

• Disability
• Equality and Diversity

Courses include:

• English

• Geography

• History

• Mathematics

• Modern Languages: French/German/Spanish

• Physical Education

• Religious Education

• Science: Biology

• Science: Chemistry

• Science: Physics

• Engineers Teach Physics