Secondary English - PGCE
- Course Code: 338J
- Level: Postgraduate Taught
- Starting: September 2021
- Study mode: Full Time
- Location: City South
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.
Do you want to help pupils express themselves, to become critical thinkers and develop the vital skills they need to succeed, not just in English, but also in other areas of their education and beyond? Our PGCE in English will develop you into a teacher able to deliver the wide-ranging curriculum covered under English, including Language, Literature and supporting studies in Drama and Media education.
What's covered in the course?
You’ll learn the teaching methods and strategies that will help your classes develop their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills so they become effective communicators.
Assignments and school-centred activities are structured around the development of your School Experience Progress Journal (SEPJ) which demonstrates your progress against the nationally agreed competences (the Teachers’ Standards), which all teachers must meet throughout their career. A system of continuous review and assessment of progress in the SEPJ will support your growing ability to take responsibility for your own development.
Why Choose Us?
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We will help you to become a committed, confident, autonomous, creative and reflective teacher
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At least 120 days across a minimum of two placements, in line with the 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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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.
This course is open to International students
Apply for teacher training
The route into postgraduate teacher training is changing. As an early adopter, we’re committed to improving your journey into teacher training
Where our students go
Our students have gone on to work with companies such as:
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Heartlands Academy, Birmingham
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Fairfax School, Sutton Coldfield
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St. Edmunds Catholic Academy, Wolverhampton
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And in jobs such as:
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Head of English
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English teacher and literacy co-ordinator
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English teacher and KS4 co-ordinator
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Entry Requirements
UK students
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You will need to have a good degree (minimum 2:2) in a relevant subject from a UK higher education institution or equivalent. Applicants without a degree in English may be required to take an Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course prior to starting the PGCE course. |
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You must have a GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in both English language and mathematics prior to enrolment and if you are offered an interview you will take a written test to assess your standard of English. |
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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). |
International Students
Don't meet our entry requirements? You could apply for courses at our International College.
- UK students
- International students
The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
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’.
This means 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 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: 338J
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:
- Bishop Challoner (salaried and non-salaried)
- Finham Park - The Lion Alliance (non-salaried)
- Higham Lane School Partnership (non-salaried)
- Holly Lodge High School (non-salaried)
- Holte School (non-salaried)
- RSA Academies Teaching School Alliance (salaried and 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.
Additional costs
We offer a wide range of professionally accredited and vocational courses that require the purchase of, among other things, uniforms, equipment, subscriptions, professional body memberships and DBS checks, and may require you to pay to attend conferences or participate in placements.
The link below provides our estimate of the possible costs associated with key activities on specific courses. Please bear in mind that these are only estimates of costs based on past student experience and feedback. The actual costs to you could vary considerably (either greater or lower than these estimates) depending on your choices as you progress through the course. We set out where we can, based on experience, where these indicative costs are for activities that are optional or compulsory.
All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
Find additional costs for your course
Accommodation and living costs
The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.
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.
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). Learn more about completing your DBS
Work Experience
It is not a requirement to obtain work experience in a school or education setting before applying for a teacher training course, so if you are unable to obtain work experience, this will not affect your application. If you would like to gain some experience to help prepare you for your course, there are other options available. The UCAS website details a range of alternative activities that you might want to consider.
Modules
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 60 credits): |
Course structure
Your PGCE Secondary English aims to explore, test and develop the links between English in education theory and its practice. The University workshops and seminars facilitate a space 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 English 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.
Teaching Breakdown
A third of your time spend on the course will be spent attending University-based sessions and two-thirds will be spent out in a school on a school experience placement.
Further Study
You can expect outstanding support from your University tutors, all of whom have worked as exceptional classroom teachers, and from the Secondary Schools which we have signed a Partnership Agreement with. There are more than 200 across the Midlands.
We encourage our trainees to consider developing their teaching and learning skills further by continuing their studies with a Master's in in Education or an MTL/MEL.
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 school and or a post-16 setting where appropriate. This all helps you to see how teachers are working in practice and gives you a wealth of experience.
You will have subject and professional mentors in school 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.
Postgraduate Jobs
All PGCE English teachers find employment as teachers in a variety of school settings.
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.
Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC)
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
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.
Staff Introduction
With a vast amount of experience in a variety of school settings, our university English tutors, Fiona, Amanda and Paul, offer exceptional education and training. Their shared ethos and rationale for English in schools is evident in all they do as they encourage trainee English teachers to develop their own practice, pedagogy and beliefs.
Mrs Fiona Darby
Senior Teaching Fellow
Fiona spent 15 years working as an English teacher in secondary schools in Warwickshire and Oxfordshire. She was a Head of Department for 4 years, and an Assistant Head Teacher for 5 years.
She has had various areas of responsibility in schools including leading whole school teaching and learning, Designated Safeguarding Lead, UCAS advisor, Professional Tutor, NQT Induction Tutor, and ITT Mentor.
She joined BCU in September 2016 as a Senior Teaching Fellow working with Secondary English School Direct trainees. She also worked as an Associate Teaching Fellow at the University of Warwick on the Secondary PGCE course. From September 2017 she will be Subject Route Leader for the BCU Secondary English PGCE course.
Amanda Brougham
Academic Lead for Partnerships / Senior Lecturer - English
Amanda has worked as an English teacher, a project manager and a senior leader across schools and settings across the West Midlands since the early 1990s. This means that she has a significant knowledge of both the current and historical educational landscape within our region, which she uses to guide her trainees.
Nicola Worgan
Secondary English Lecturer
Nicola has spent 13 years working as an English teacher abroad, in Secondary Schools, in FE and Adult Education. In November 2019 she began the role as a full time lecturer for the BCU Secondary English PGCE course.