Secondary History with QTS (11-16) PGCE
GOV.UK code: V1X1
Are you able to tackle controversial issues? Can you link the past to the present? Train to teach history to 11-16-year olds and push the boundaries of learning. On completion, you’ll gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Overview
Course length: | 1 year full-time |
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Start dates: | September 2023 September 2024 |
Location: | Edge Hill University |
Subject(s): | Education and Teaching |
Faculty: | Education |
Department: | Secondary and Further Education |

Imagine having the ability to bring history to life for secondary school pupils. History education is not only about passing on historical awareness, but about exciting the imaginations of young people and helping them to see the significance of historical events in the current climate. If that sounds like something you could do, our PGCE Secondary History is for you.
In our long-established programme you’ll receive the highest standard of professional training. You’ll develop innovative approaches to teaching and learning, including a specific focus on matters of diversity and inclusion in the current history curriculum.
Prepare with practical experience
You’ll develop your reflective and analytical skills and have the opportunity to explore different aspects of your subject knowledge. With plenty of practical experience in planning effective lessons and learning strategies, you’ll also get lots of hands-on experience in the classroom.
Throughout your placement, you’ll be supported by your history tutor and school-based expert mentor. Listen to their advice about how to apply what you’ve learnt in seminars to the classroom. Turn to them whenever you need support or feedback.
Successful completion of the programme leads to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Course features
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International students can apply
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Professional accreditation
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Professional practice placements
What you'll study
At the start of your course you’ll carry out an audit of your subject knowledge. This way you can identify your areas of strength and those you need to develop.
You’ll study the conceptual structure of the history curriculum and essential educational theory, as well as innovative teaching and assessment methods and strategies to encourage the development of practical skills.
Discover creative ways to develop historical understanding, through fieldwork, the use of archives and museum work. Learn how to work with outside speakers from the history education community and how to plan a lesson effectively.
We’ll help you develop your academic skills, including building your subject knowledge, so you can contribute to the teaching of geography and RE at key stage 3.
How you'll study
A combination of academic study, group discussion and reflection, and practical, work-based learning in the classroom will give you all the knowledge and skills you need to become a creative and innovative teacher. The programme aims to develop a reflective and critically analytical approach to education.
You will also enhance your subject knowledge and understanding of learning outside the classroom through participating in field visits to a wide range of sites and museums, including the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, the Imperial War Museum North in Salford, and the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester.
You will spend up to 26 weeks on placement in schools, colleges or other settings, putting your training into practice through assisting with and taking responsibility for classes, and working alongside mentors and peers to further your professional development. The focus initially is on observation and supporting teaching and learning. Your teaching timetable will increase as your training progresses and you become more confident and competent in the classroom.
How you'll be assessed
You will be assessed, through a balanced combination of coursework and portfolio assessments, against both academic criteria and the Standards related to QTS. Weekly tasks undertaken in schools will enable you to develop an understanding of effective teaching and learning approaches which will inform University based sessions. The most demanding assignment is a reflective and analytical piece of classroom-based research in which you will consider how pupils learn history, and how your teaching can make that more effective.
Before the end of your PGCE you will need to complete a Career Entry and Development Profile (CEDP) which acts as a useful bridge between your initial teacher training programme and your two-year induction as an early career teacher.
Who will be teaching you
The Faculty of Education has been at the forefront of teacher education for 135 years and today enjoys the enviable position of being one of the country’s leading providers of education, training and research for the children’s workforce.
You will be taught by a dedicated team of knowledgeable, experienced, friendly and supportive tutors who have the welfare of their trainees as a number one priority.
Entry criteria
Entry requirements
To join this PGCE, you will be expected to have:
- A degree equivalent to UK first-class or second-class honours (2:2 or above) in a relevant subject from a UK university. Other subjects may be considered if you have an A Level in History
- GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent qualification)
- Satisfactory levels of Information and Communications Technology competence
- A commitment to, and understanding of, secondary education, demonstrating the personal attributes, values and motivation required to train as a teacher.
Please note, for the purposes of initial teacher training, level 2 literacy and numeracy qualifications are not considered as equivalent to GCSE Grade C or Grade 4 in English Language and Mathematics.
If you accept a formal offer from Edge Hill University you will be required to meet the Department for Education’s standards for physical and mental fitness to teach and clearance to work with children. Further information, including a Declaration of Health questionnaire and details of how to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.
English language requirements
International students require IELTS 6.5, with a score no lower than 6.0 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.
If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.
How to apply
Apply full-time
Read our guide to applying for PGCEs and PGDEs to find out more about the application process.
International
Please see our international student pages for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.
Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.
If you join a full time undergraduate degree at Edge Hill University, we will guarantee you the offer of a room in our halls of residence for the first year of your course.
Discover our accommodation
Facilities
Housed in a state-of-the-art £9million building, the Faculty of Education enjoys a stunning setting from both its lakeside and piazza buildings.
Facilities in the lakeside building include a 300-seat lecture theatre, five well-equipped ICT suites, and 18 teaching rooms complete with the latest technology. The lakeside building is also home to a popular vegan and vegetarian cafe where students can meet to socialise and discuss their studies.
The nearby piazza building offers modern facilities including a lecture theatre and a number of seminar rooms.
Where you'll study
Faculty of Education
Finance
Tuition fees
UK Full-Time
£9,250
for the course
International
£13,750
for the course
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.
Financial support
Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this course can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students enrolling on the course may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs.
Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students.
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). If you are an EU student who does not have settled or pre-settled status, or are an international student from a non-EU country, please see our international student finance pages.
Your future career
This PGCE is accredited by the Department for Education. Successful completion of the programme will enable you to gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
You’ll be ready to progress into employment as an early career teacher of history at secondary school level. Our proactive careers service can help you to find job vacancies. They also offer in-depth advice on teacher job applications and interviews.
With plenty of academic and professional experience, you could also continue to MA or MRes study. Following this, you could even work towards a PhD.