Science

Overview

On each of these teacher training degrees, you'll be supported by tutors and school-based mentors as you learn to plan and deliver lessons with strong subject knowledge, confidence and imagination, while reflecting on what it means to teach at secondary level. You can study full time over one year, or part time over two.

The Science with Chemistry PGCE at University of Portsmouth has excellent links with many secondary schools in the region – so when you finish your PGCE, you'll graduate with excellent career prospects, and eligibility for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - the teaching qualification you'll need to teach in secondary schools in England and Wales.

The secondary PGCEs have three interconnected strands – Curriculum Studies, Professional Studies and School Experience – so the skills and knowledge you pick up can be practised and built on with teaching experience.

You'll hone your secondary teaching skills in whichever of the following subject areas you choose:

• Science (with either biology, physics or chemistry)   

Course highlights

• Gain the skills, confidence and expertise to earn Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - the teaching qualification you'll need to become a secondary school teacher in the UK and overseas

• Develop your teaching skills through work placements in real secondary schools and the study of theories and contemporary issues in secondary education

• Share your experience and learn from other PGCE students through lectures and seminars

• Learn key teaching skills, including lesson planning, classroom management, and special needs and inclusion

• Develop secondary-level knowledge in a subject area of your choice

• Work closely with mentors and other secondary school staff as part of your teacher training

• Study a range of topics including pedagogy and practice based research, lesson planning, behaviour management, assessment, and special education needs and inclusion

Career opportunities

After you graduate this PGCE for secondary education, you'll be ready to start your teaching career on a minimum starting salary of £30,000, depending on where you teach in the UK. Over 90 per cent of Portsmouth PGCE graduates go into full-time teaching. 

A PGCE, or Postgraduate Certificate in Education, is a teaching qualification recognised all over the world, so you'll also be able to teach overseas too, such as in Australia, Canada and the USA.

Accreditation

This course leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) on recommendation to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA). The PGCE Secondary teacher training course was graded as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted in their 2024 inspection.