(Secondary) Biology PGCE

About

Biology teachers help students to understand the living world, from cells and ecosystems to human anatomy and genetics. As they explore the natural world they’ll reflect on their place in the environment and consider their impact on the world.

Our Secondary Biology PGCE leads to QTS - the professional teaching qualification.

With an 'outstanding' rating from Ofsted, at Brighton you’ll learn with our expert team that has firsthand classroom experience, in facilities designed to replicate school settings.

You'll gain varied practical experiences on placement and benefit from also teaching chemistry and physics.

You could be eligible for a £26,000 bursary if starting this course in 2025.

We are one of the UK's largest teacher training universities. This course leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for the 11–16 age range.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Degree and experience
Normally an honours degree, or equivalent qualification, in biology or a subject that is closely related. GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)
At least English language and maths. Equivalence tests are available for suitable candidates. English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept. Training to teach in England as an international student
If you're not a UK citizen, with the exception of those training to teach physics or modern languages, you are unlikely to get help funding your training unless you have permission to live permanently in the UK. You can find information about your options on the UK government's Get into Teaching website. Interviews
Interviews for this course can be in-person at the university or online. If we invite you to an interview you'll be able to choose a date and which option suits you best. Experience
While experience in a school is not a condition of entry for initial teacher education courses we recommend that you take up opportunities to gain a realistic understanding of whether teaching is right for you. The Get Into Teaching School Experience Programme offers opportunities across the country to book a day’s worth of experience. Read the tips on applying for teacher training. Other

Applicants from minority ethnic and other groups under-represented in the profession are particularly welcome.

All offers of places are subject to a satisfactory health check and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check.

We are committed to safeguarding and child protection. As part of our selection and interview process, we will undertake additional checks to confirm the suitability of candidates.

International student application deadline
The deadline for international applicants is late May. This deadline is in place to ensure sufficient time for the visa process to be completed before the course starts in early September.

English Requirements

PTEMin 61
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 85

English Program Requirements

English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

Career

Careers

Preparing for your teaching career

You will graduate from this course equipped with the skills and knowledge to become a confident and competent secondary school teacher.

As well as gaining a PGCE, you will be assessed against the national Teachers’ Standards in order to be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status.

You’ll benefit from our partnership with over 600 schools, where you’ll gain practical school-based experience in a wide range of settings – large, small, rural and urban.

You will gain a knowledge and understanding of your specialist subject in the secondary school context. You will consider the learning and teaching strategies that are relevant to this subject and develop leadership and management skills.

If you are considering whether a career in teaching is for you, and you are a UK resident, the Department for Education’s School Experience Programme offers between one and 10 days’ classroom experience in a secondary school.

School-based training

Each phase of your school-based training will give you supported experience and help you gain confidence in your teaching ability.

Our staff will ensure that you are well prepared before your school-based training, and that you have all the support and guidance needed to make the most of these opportunities.

We have partnerships with over 600 schools and settings which offer you opportunities in large, small, urban and rural settings ensuring you will have a well-rounded experience. You will experience time in two carefully selected schools during your course.

Your school-based training experiences will include:

writing lesson plans and evaluations for the classes you teach
engaging in both formative and summative assessment of pupils learning and performance
completing your e-portfolio as supporting evidence of meeting the Teachers’ Standards.

Each year we organise over 2,500 placements for our students with partner schools and colleges, offering varied placement opportunities. We work hard to ensure that your school-based training will provide you with learning opportunities and valuable experience with the age group you are qualifying to teach.

School-based experience will enable you to demonstrate and grow your knowledge. You'll also make valuable contacts in schools which will help when you are looking for your first teaching role.

Graduate destinations

Our teaching graduates benefit from excellent employment rates that are consistently above the sector average.

Career prospects are good; most graduates gain their first teaching posts in school settings as soon as they qualify.

University of Brighton trained teachers are highly sought after by our partnership schools. They are known for their creative and innovative approaches to teaching.

Many of our graduates take on mentoring and leadership roles, or opt for specialist roles such as special education needs.

Our careers service holds an annual teaching recruitment fair on campus which our partner schools attend as they are looking to recruit newly qualified teachers for the next school year.

Early career support

We will continue to support you after you qualify through our early career support programme.

We’ll offer resources, advice, events and drop-in sessions to help you overcome the challenges that many new teachers face in their first few years of working as a qualified teacher. We’ll help you with the next stage of your journey and offer support that will enable you to develop and thrive in your early career.

Our website provides guidance and support for after you graduate, including the latest teaching job vacancies, personal statement feedback, short mock interviews, useful contacts for advice and a variety of helpful resources including videos.

The university tutors supported me long after finishing the course. During my NQT year at a community college they continued to provide me with advice and check on my professional progress and my wellbeing.

Brenda, graduate and teacher

Further study

We offer CPD opportunities if you wish to continue your studies.

Successful completion of this course means you'll be awarded 60 masters-level credits which can be used towards our Education MA which further integrates academic study with work-based learning and research.

Supporting your employability

Outside of your course, our Careers Service is here to support you as you discover (and re-discover) your strengths and what matters to you. We are here for you throughout your university journey as you work towards a fulfilling and rewarding career.

Connect with our careers team

Find part-time work that you can combine with your studies.
Find, or be, a mentor or get involved with our peer-to-peer support scheme.
Develop your business ideas through our entrepreneurial support network.
Get professional advice and support with career planning, CV writing and interview top tips.
Meet potential employers at our careers fairs.
Find rewarding volunteering opportunities to help you discover more about what makes you tick, and build your CV.

Whatever your career needs, we are here to help. And that's not just while you are a student, our support carries on after you've graduated.

Find out more about our Careers Service...

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

22,820 / year