PGCE Secondary - Chemistry,PGCE

The PGCE Secondary Chemistry course equips you to become a confident Early Career Teacher with the skills to bring this practical subject to life. When you spark an interest in chemistry, you open the door to a wide range of science-based careers to our future innovators.

The course qualifies you to become a secondary teacher for the 11 to 16 age range and provides training for Key Stages Three and Four. Successful completion of the PGCE leads to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education awarded by Durham University and the recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status. The QTS element is accredited by Newcastle University and awarded by the Department of Education.

We pride ourselves on offering a well-planned blend of research and experience in the classroom to start you on your successful career as an Early Career Teacher. We emphasise your entitlement to the Core Content Framework throughout our PGCE course to fully prepare you for the Early Career Framework, which will support you during your first two years of teaching as an Early Career Teacher.

We believe that to be able to teach successfully, you must acquire a good understanding of the ‘big ideas’ of science as well as learn about how to teach Chemistry. We can help you channel your passion for your subject to be able to share your enthusiasm and knowledge with pupils in school, building your understanding of how children learn in science and the sequencing of learning to accommodate potential challenges.

Subject pedagogy (how to teach the subject for understanding) is explored through sessions with university tutors and classroom practitioners.

The University-based sessions focus on a weekly specific pedagogical theme, integrated with sessions devoted to your subject specialism, delivered by subject specialists in the University and the school partnership.

The Professional Studies sessions explore your understanding of critical concepts and classroom practice, allowing you to reflect on your teacher identity and progress as a developing teacher.

Please note that the course does not run to standard University terms. It is delivered full-time, starting in early September and continues over 10 months.

Are you interested in inspiring and motivating the next generation of scientists? Our PGCE in Secondary Education with a Chemistry specialism supports you to become a competent and confident Early Career Teacher.

The equivalent of a UK 2:2 honours degree of which at least 50% should be in the subject you wish to teach. We may accept closely related degree subjects.

If you need to improve your subject knowledge you may be asked to complete a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course.

GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 (or C) or above (or equivalent). We’ll consider candidates with pending GCSE’s. We’ll consider candidates who need to take an equivalency test in English and/or Maths.

If your qualifications are from an overseas institution you must apply for a Statement of Comparability from ENIC

For International Applicants for whom English is not their first language, a minimum IELT|S score of 7.0 is required with no individual component less than 6.5.

It is highly recommended that any foreign nationals applying "have spent six months living in the UK", have had employment or volunteered as a teaching assistant in a state school in England or in an International school following the English national curriculum, have some knowledge of, or experience in working with, the English National Curriculum

• Significant and relevant subject knowledge and recent experience of the science teaching environment. This should be demonstrated at both application and interview

Your interpersonal qualities and your potential to achieve professional skills relating to the Teachers' Standards will be considered when making an admissions decision. Candidates who meet the criteria, will be invited to an interview which will be held online consisting of a range of questions and a series of tasks designed to illustrate your potential to meet the Teachers' Standards by the end of the course.

Successful candidates will receive an offer conditional upon successful Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and medical assessment. This is for “fitness to teach” before starting the course.

If you have a criminal record of any kind, you may contact the School of Education DBS Manager, CarolineEmery, for further advice and information. All enquiries will be treated in confidence.

English language requirements

The consistently high ranking of the School gives us a worldwide reputation for the quality of not only our teaching but the skills and knowledge of our postgraduate community. The delivery of the subject by relevant academic experts brings together world class research, innovative teaching and exceptional support.

Your time as a member of our student community places you in the strong position to pursue a successful career in a range of different sectors. Career opportunities in education are numerous, rewarding, and far reaching.

Most of our PGCE graduates go directly into teaching whilst MA graduates progress into a wide range of roles including educational research, publishing, education administration, policy making and management plus jobs in commercial or public sectors.