Secondary Science (Biology) with QTS (11-16) PGCE
GOV.UK code: C1X1
From single cell structures to human DNA, biology explains the world around us. Discover how to make the subject engaging and develop pupil’s scientific minds. Graduate from our PGCE Secondary Science (Biology) with a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status.
Overview
| Course length: | 1 year full-time |
|---|---|
| Start dates: | September 2024 September 2025 |
| Location: | Edge Hill University |
| Subject(s): | Education and Teaching |
| Faculty: | Education |
| Department: | Secondary and Further Education |
Remember the first time you looked at cells under the microscope? Or how you unravelled the process of photosynthesis? Bring that enthusiasm into your own classroom as a secondary school biology teacher.
During our PGCE Secondary Science (Biology), you’ll study the latest teaching theory and how to apply this in practice. Find out how to spark your pupils’ curiosity about the world around them while building their practical and analytical skills.
You’ll develop in-depth subject knowledge in your specialism of biology. We’ll also make sure you’re prepared to support with teaching chemistry and physics, especially at key stage 3. Throughout the course, we’ll encourage you to reflect on your learning to help you become the best biology teacher you can be.
Boost your skills in lesson planning, managing the classroom, teaching methods, and more. Then put what you’ve learnt into practice in a real classroom. During your school placements, you’ll plan, teach and assess biology lessons with support from your school-based mentor.
We’ll be there for you every step of the way as you work towards taking the lead in the classroom. Turn to your Personal Tutor whenever you need advice or help overcoming hurdles.
Successful completion of the programme leads to a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Subject knowledge enhancement
If you need to develop your biology subject knowledge or it has been some time since you last studied biology, then our free subject knowledge enhancement course will prepare you for teaching the conceptual and applied aspects of biology effectively to learners aged 11-16 years.
Course features
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Ofsted outstanding provider for Initial Teacher Education
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Professional accreditation
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Professional practice placements
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International students can apply
What you'll study
During this PGCE, you’ll work towards becoming a biology specialist who can deliver all three sciences at Key Stage 3 and 4. You’ll cover essential educational theory while developing your specialist subject knowledge.
Strengthen your understanding of innovative teaching and assessment methods including experiments and investigative work, group discussions, role play, project work, presentations and examinations. We’ll also unpack health and safety requirements and strategies for maintaining a high quality laboratory – so you can show pupils how to complete practical experiments safely.
We’ll prepare you for a future in teaching secondary biology. Learn how to plan lessons in line with the curriculum. Master teaching techniques to give pupils the knowledge they need. Become confident running practical experiments safely.
Apply everything you’ve learnt to a placement in a secondary school setting. Here you’ll be able to get hands-on experience by supporting and observing teachers. With help from your subject tutor and school-based mentor, you’ll combine what you learn on campus with practical teaching experiences.
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 a critically analytical approach to education.
You will undertake extensive placements in schools, putting your training into practice through assisting in, 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.
You will also develop your subject knowledge by participating in numerous activities, which have in the past included visits to places of scientific and fieldwork interest, guest speakers and GET SET Challenge days in the North West.
You will also undertake Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) as a specific and focused element of our teacher training curriculum. This is designed to consolidate your knowledge of effective teaching, and enable you to rehearse and obtain feedback from experts on your practice. Our ITAPs are designed to utilise the latest research and technology as well as draw on the outstanding mentors, tutors, and teacher expertise from across our partnership.
Over the course of your training, you will have the opportunity to participate in several days of Intensive Practice focusing on aspects of pivotal practice such as; behaviour management, scaffolding, professional behaviours and questioning.
During periods of ITAP, your timetable may differ and you may be required to attend campus and/or a placement on days outside of the usual pattern.
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. Other tasks will enable you to show your competence in ICT, numeracy and literacy and other areas of science.
Your professional practice will conclude with a final viva that will allow you to demonstrate appropriate achievement against the Teachers’ Standards in order to allow us to make a recommendation for QTS.
Who will be teaching you
The Faculty of Education has been at the forefront of teacher education for over 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.
The Edge Hill lead mentors and mentor leadership team play an important part in your teacher training as experts in their field. They have a deep knowledge of the trainee curriculum and support trainees and mentors to make progress providing guidance and support on aspects of the curriculum and assessment.
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. Other subjects may be considered if you have an A Level in a relevant subject (or equivalent qualification) and a willingness to engage in a subject knowledge enhancement course.
- GCSE English Language or English Literature 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.
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 or English Literature and Mathematics.
An interview forms part of the selection process, which can be conducted online or face to face.
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 Postgraduate Teacher Training 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.
This course is now closed to international applications for 2024 entry.
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.
There’s plenty of opportunities to come take a look around campus. Attend one of our open days to see what life at Edge Hill University is all about.
Book an open day
Facilities
The Faculty of Education enjoys the enviable position of being one of the country’s leading providers of transformative education, training and research for the teaching and education workforce. Housed in a state-of-the-art £9m 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.
Our nearby piazza building houses our Research Hub and our Secondary and Further Education department including a lecture theatre and a number of seminar rooms.
This course is also delivered in the Biosciences building where you will explore a wide range of experimental and investigative strategies and activities. The Biosciences building incorporates impressive, modern laboratories, offering exciting and highly relevant practical experience in some of the best equipped facilities in the country.
Where you'll study
Faculty of Education
BioSciences
Finance
Tuition fees
UK Full-Time
£9,250
for the course
International
£16,500
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. If you are a UK student joining this PGCE in academic year 2023/24, you may be eligible to receive a Department for Education bursary worth £20,000 if you have a first class, 2:1 or 2:2 honours degree or have successfully completed a PhD or Masters award. 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
Good biology teachers are always in demand, so your career prospects will be fantastic following graduation.
This PGCE in accredited by the Department for Education. Successful completion of the course will enable you to gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). You’ll be ready to progress into employment as an early career teacher at secondary school level in science, specialising in biology.
With your academic credits and classroom-based experience you will be well-placed to progress into MA, MRes or MSc study and onto a PhD.
Course changes
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, however our courses are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.
Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of professional bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.
