Secondary Computer Science - PGCE
Are you committed to becoming a passionate teacher who can inspire pupils to realise the potential of this important and far-reaching subject? If so, then we're looking to train you on our PGCE Secondary in Computer Science! Our aim is to develop you into a teacher who enables pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.
Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any arrangements put in place by the University for the 2021/22 academic year will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Full Time
- Location City South
- Award PGCE
- Start date September 2021
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Education and Social Work
- Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences
Course overview
Are you committed to becoming a passionate teacher who can inspire pupils to realise the potential of this important and far-reaching subject? If so, then we're looking to train you on our PGCE Secondary in Computer Science! Our aim is to develop you into a teacher who enables pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.
What's covered in this course?
You’ll be a key component of this core curriculum area, encouraging pupils in their ability to problem solve using a variety of powerful modelling techniques. Your impact will be far-reaching, ensuring your pupils become creators of technology and not just consumers. You will help them develop transferable skills that can be used in a range of subject areas.
This course benefits from strong links with the British Computer Society (BCS) who are working with the Department of Education to develop the next generation of computing teachers through an organisation called Computing at School. The opportunities this partnership provides gives you a head start engaging with expert computing teachers throughout the West Midlands at regular hub meetings. You'll gain access to networking and subject development opportunities that are available. Events, such as our regional conference, are held throughout the year at our City Centre Campus. As one of 10 universities across the country designated as a Regional Centre, it is our responsibility to promote and showcase the very best computing teaching across the West Midlands. We want you to be a part of this from the start of your career.
Working together with the University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment as a Computing at School (CAS) Regional Centre, we’re leaders in developing computer science teaching across the West Midlands supporting both new and established practitioners to teach this wonderful subject in the best way possible. As a trainee teacher on this course you’ll be immersed in this culture of development meaning you’ll be on the cutting-edge of computer science teaching techniques and will help to shape the subject for years to come.
DBS
Applicants must meet requirements of being medically fit and successfully completing an enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Learn more.
Why Choose Us?
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At least 120 days across a minimum of two placements, in line with the Department for Education (DfE) requirements, supported by a subject mentor in your school and a personal development tutor at the University
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We’re proud of our high employability rates, with 99% of PGCE Secondary Education students in employment or further study six months after completing their course (DLHE survey results 2016/17)
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You may be eligible for a £24000 bursary or £26000 scholarship. Find out more about Funding
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Gain Master's level credits gained as part of this course that you can then use towards a full Master's degree
- We meet the Department for Education's (DfE) Criteria for Initial Teacher Training and successful candidates on our Initial Teacher Training courses will be recommended to the DfE for Qualified Teacher Status.
Entry Requirements
UK students
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You must have a good degree (minimum 2:2) in a relevant subject from a UK higher education institution or equivalent. Applicants may be required to take a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course prior to starting the PGCE course |
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You must also have a GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in both English language and mathematics prior to enrolment. |
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If you do not already have GCSEs in English language and mathematics, or their equivalent, and are not registered to take them, you should visit Equivalency Testing. |
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It should be noted that applicants taking the equivalency tests need to have passed prior to enrolment. |
Selection Interview
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The selection interview will assess your subject knowledge and personal qualities such as the potential to relate well to secondary age students, enthusiasm, sensitivity, communication skills and robustness and resilience for teaching. |
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You will also take a written test to assess your standard of English. |
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Applicants must meet Department for Education requirements for Initial Teacher Training, which means being medically fit and successfully completing an enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). |
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Fees & How to Apply
- UK students
- International students
The way you apply for teacher training is changing. The Department for Education (DfE) has developed a GOV.UK application service for postgraduate teacher training called ‘Apply for teacher training’.
There are two ways to apply to our ITT courses.
1. The Department for Education
Use the red 'Apply' link above to access the Department for Education website. For more information on how to apply for a teacher training course please visit please visit Apply for Teacher Training.
2. UCAS Teacher Training
You can also choose to apply via the UCAS Teacher Training website. For more information on how to apply for a teacher training course please visit the UCAS how-it-all-works information page. The UCAS Teacher Training helpline number is 0871 468 0 469.
Course code: 3CZH
Use Apply for teacher training if:
- all the providers on your shortlist are signed up to Apply for teacher training
- you want to try a new process with extra guidance on tricky areas such as personal statements
Use UCAS if:
- you are already doing an application through UCAS
- some of your choice(s) of training provider are not signed up to Apply for teacher training and you’d rather not apply through two different systems
We also offer the full-time programme through School Direct with the following schools:
- The Arthur Terry Teaching School (non-salaried)
- Bishop Challoner (non-salaried)
- Finham Park - The Lion Alliance (non-salaried)
- Higham Lane School Partnership (non-salaried)
- Holte School (non-salaried)
- RSA Academies Teaching School Alliance (non-salaried)
- Shireland Collegiate Academy (non-salaried)
Visit the UCAS Teacher Training website for details on how to apply.
We would like all applicants to make a fully informed decision about joining the teaching profession. As part of that decision making process, spending sometime in a school and considering the role of the teacher will prove to be invaluable.
Personal statement
Students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.
Your postgraduate personal statement is going to shine a light on your personal experience, academic success, personal skills and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Your passion and motivations
Studying a postgraduate course usually means you want to specialise in something. So what’s driving you?
Why this course?
Show that you’ve researched the course offering. What is it about this particular course that appeals to you? Is it the lecturers? The modules? Etc.
What makes you a good postgraduate candidate?
Tutors want to know that you can handle postgraduate study, so show them how your undergraduate experiences or work life has equipped you for a more advanced level of study. Key areas to address are research and group work but this can vary depending on your chosen course.
Relevant academic or work experience
Add anything relevant that relates back to your chosen course and shows how your skills will contribute towards your learning. What extra-curricular activities have you taken part in? What awards have you won? What employment or voluntary experience do you have that has helped you develop transferable skills? How do these specifically relate to the course you are applying for?
You should also mention your future plans and how a postgraduate qualification fits in. Try to look beyond your postgraduate study – do you plan to jump straight into a specific career or follow your studies with a research degree? Lastly, use plain, professional English and, where possible, utilise the language of your chosen industry.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
Financial support
You may be able to obtain financial support to help you during your studies. For more information visit the Department for Education's Get Into Teaching website.
Course in Depth
Modules
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 60 credits):
20 credits
This module, Professional Studies, provides opportunities for you as a trainee teacher to explore and understand in practical terms the meaning of professionalism in the context of education and being a teacher. It is well known that education is an ever-changing environment and the desire for improvement is strong from all stakeholders. This module helps you to understand that the best teachers are those who continue to learn themselves and that your continual development can positively impact the learning experience of your students.
20 credits
This module, Subject Pedagogy, provides opportunities for you as a trainee teacher to explore the nature of your specialist subject in the context of learning and teaching in the secondary school. The module provides substantial support for your professional practice in school, assessed through the School Experience modules. This module provides a strong philosophical underpinning to your awareness of the importance of your specialist subject in the secondary school curriculum. By undertaking this module you will be shaping your own rationale for your approach to the teaching of your specialist subject, and to meeting the needs of the learners as they move through the secondary school phase.
20 credits
This module, Professional Enquiry, forms an introduction to active examination of professional practice in the workplace and a reflective approach to personal development. It provides a foundation for future study modules and enables you to develop practice-based enquiry skills. Increasing importance is placed on evidence-based enquiry to inform professional development in education, most recently in The Carter Review of Initial Teacher Training (ITT).
0 credits
This module, School Experience 1, provides opportunities for you as a trainee teacher to meet the professional standards and expectations of teaching through practical, school-based experience. You will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced teachers and other education professionals to develop your knowledge, understanding and skill in the classroom and the wider school environment. You will be able to implement theory and evidence-based understanding on an on-going and development basis into your teaching into the classroom. You will be assessed against the current statements of professional competence.
0 credits
This module, School Experience 2, follows School Experience 1 and provides opportunities for you as a trainee teacher to enhance your achievement of the professional standards and expectations of teaching through practical, school-based experience. You will have the opportunity to work independently supported by experienced teachers and other education professionals to further develop your knowledge, understanding and skill in the classroom and the wider school environment. You will be able to implement theory and evidence-based understanding on an on-going and development basis into your teaching into the classroom. You will be assessed against the current statements of professional competence.
* School Experience 2 is dependent upon the successful completion of School Experience 1.
Course structure
Your PGCE Secondary computer science education aims to explore, test and develop the links between computing in education theory and its practice. The practical workshops in university facilitate a means for learners to conduct this, which is then supported by school placements.
This relationship, between theory and practice, alongside a variety of contrasting school experiences, ensures that you are offered a well-rounded teacher education. We believe that we are training computing teachers to work in any school setting. Your course will feature a range of modules and the opportunity to get plenty of hands-on practice in local schools with support from colleagues in the school partnership and experienced university tutors.
Two thirds of your course will take place in schools with the other third in a university setting.
Assessment methods
Modules are assessed through a range of directed tasks and targeted assignments. You are also required to complete a profile of evidence towards the achievement of the standards required by the National College for Teaching and Leadership for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Evidence for the Professional Development Profile is verified by mentors.
Examples of classroom activities
Exploring the link between theory and practice is central to your PGCE computer science course. As a result of this many aspects of the practical workshops in university are tested and developed by you in school contexts. This means that you are encouraged to develop your own ideas. Previous examples include;
- Introduction of new cutting-edge programming languages to school curricula
- Arduino robotics club
- Using Minecraft to teach computer hardware.
As a provider of Initial Teacher Education, you can be reassured that we are regularly inspected by the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted).
Ofsted reports directly to Parliament and is independent and impartial. It inspects and regulates services which care for children and young people, and those providing education and skills for learners of all ages.
Ofsted inspections of ITE providers provide an expert and independent assessment of how well a university is performing and the quality of teacher training offered. Information in the inspection report can help you to decide which university best suits your career needs.
In the latest Ofsted Inspection (March 2014) Birmingham City University was awarded a grade 2 rating “Good” for its primary and early years, secondary and post-compulsory education and training provision.
Employability
Enhancing Employability Skills
Ofsted inspections have confirmed that our trainees “leave their courses with a wide range of knowledge and skills that make them highly employable”.
We believe that this is due to the strong sense of belonging to a genuine learning community, which results in the development of professional confidence. This is enhanced with our excellent school partnership.
Placements
Two-thirds of your course takes place in school and we ensure that you are offered a number of placements in a wide range of educational establishments.
You will do work placements in at least two different schools and also visit others – including a primary. This all helps you to see how teachers are working in practice and gives you a wealth of experience.
You will have the opportunity to do serial and block placements and you will also have trained mentors, who will guide and support your studies and provide you with feedback.
OpportUNIty
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Links to industry
We are a key player in the Computing at School initiative. This Government funded project is supported by many major tech companies such as Google, Microsoft, BT and Cisco.
We play a major part in developing this network and we play an active role in contributing to the development of the subject within schools.
International Students
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies.
Facilities and Staff
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £340 million on new learning facilities.
As part of these plans, the University's Education provision will join the rest of the Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences at our City South Campus in Edgbaston during 2018.
This is the third phase of the University's project to move all teaching and learning to two campuses, City Centre and City South. By moving our Education provision, we are creating a hub for the provision of public service contracts and professional development at City South Campus and improving the student experience with a stronger sense of community and more consistent support services and facilities.
Campus
In addition to classrooms, a lecture theatre, social learning spaces, an open access IT suite and cafe facilities, the new £41 million extension to our City South Campus offers a range of specialist teaching and learning facilities for specific subjects including science, design and technology, drama and physical education.
Departments
All our departmental facilities replicate the school learning environment.
- Art and Design
- Design and Technology
- History
- English
- Mathematics
- Religious Education
- Music
- Drama
Not only are we investing £41 million in a new building to house the laboratories and teaching spaces needed, but we also plan to open up these facilities to benefit all students and the wider community. This will complement our existing sports facilities, which already provide a base for students to compete in activities ranging from rugby to.
Mary Seacole Library
The Seacole library, based at City South Campus, is one of the UK's largest specialist health education libraries. The facility offers an extensive range of range of information and reference materials set out in a relaxing environment, conducive to studying. There are comfortable seating areas, group study areas, a silent study area and private study rooms.
Computer Facilities
The Seacole building houses a large open access IT Suite which comprises of 96 PCs, printers, photocopiers and scanners. Our PCs utilise the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:
- Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
- Ability to save files to USB, DVD & CD
- Microsoft Office software
- Research and statistical software
- Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home
Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs.
The IT Suite offers extended opening hours and is supported by a specialist Open Access Assistant during term time. In addition to the open access PCs within the IT Suite, there are 12 networked student PCs available within Seacole library.
Computer Science Department
The department consists of a huge range of computers with up-to-date software, to enhance your learning experience.
Our staff
Christine Swan
Secondary Education Computer Science tutor
Christine has 30 years teaching experience across the secondary, FE and HE sectors and is a Computer Science subject specialist. She has authored and edited textbooks, developed teaching and learning resources for awarding bodies and delivers CPD in schools. Christine has also acted as a subject and education consultant in the development of new key stage 4 courses.
More about Christine