PGCE in Secondary Education Chemistry

• Honours degree (2.2 or higher), awarded by a UK university or an overseas award recognised as equivalent by UK ENIC.
• We require the degree to have a minimum 50% content of the subject in which the applicant is applying.
• GCSE (or IGCSE) English language and mathematics at grade 4 or above (grade C or above under the previous grading structure and at ‘O’ Level).
• NB Equivalency tests in lieu of GCSE maths and English language will only be considered in exceptional circumstances by prior discussion with the admissions team.
• Applicants from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS Academic score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band. This must be no more than two years old at the point of application.

Suitability to train to teach is assessed at interview.

International qualifications

GCSE equivalent qualifications achieved overseas must be recognised as comparable to grades 4/C or above by UK ENIC. First degrees awarded overseas must also be recognised as equivalent to British honours degree by UK ENIC. This is known as a Statement of Comparability. Depending on the outcome, the ITE admissions team may require an applicant to produce an academic transcript listing full modules/subjects studied in order to make an admissions decision about comparability in relation to Standard and Honours degree classification.

We may require certified translations of certificates/documents issued in any language other than English. Please note this is likely to be an additional cost to the applicant.

If the qualifications have been taken abroad then you will need a Statement of Comparability from ENIC before applying for the programme. Visit ENIC for more information.

Suitability checks

The University of Hertfordshire ensures that suitability checks have been completed prior to the commencement of the programme, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2021) and ITT criteria and supporting advice (section C1). This process is overseen by the Head of ITE, Victoria Pateman, and Head of ITE Compliance, Ewelina Roberts.

The following checks are:

• proof of identity
• proof of academic qualifications
• suitability and safer recruitment self-declaration, in this declaration the applicant is informed of their duty to disclose relevant information under childcare disqualification arrangements and any cautions or convictions
• enhanced DBS
• a barred list check
• prohibition from teaching check – Teaching Regulation Agency
• for applicants who have lived abroad for three months or more in the past 10 years, an overseas criminal record check – GOV.UK
• health and physical fitness to teach assessment.