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PGCE and ProfGCE in Secondary Education History

Why choose Herts?

  • Excellent reputation: Ranked 1st as best university provider for Teacher Training in the UK (NSS).
  • Fantastic local connections: Benefit from our strong partnerships with over 300 schools and training providers across Hertfordshire, London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Cambridgeshire.
  • Industry accreditation: You will be awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) upon graduating from this programme, enabling you to teach in Secondary Schools.
  • Entry requirements and key information

    Honours degree (2.2 or higher), awarded by a UK university or an overseas award recognised as equivalent by NARIC.

    Usually we would expect the degree to have a minimum 50% content of the subject in which the applicant is applying. However, applicants whose degree does not meet this requirement should contact us to discuss further at secondaryteam@herts.ac.uk

    GCSE or IGCSE Maths and English Language at grade 4 or above (grade C or above under the previous grading structure).

    All students 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. For country specific qualifications, please visit our Your Country page.

    Prior experience in a school is not required. Suitability to train to teach is assessed at interview. Contact secondaryteam@herts.ac.uk if you would like further support or guidance.

    If offered a place, you will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) barred list and criminal records check, and you are required to respond to targeted and relevant health questions (DfE ITT: criteria and supporting advice October 2018).

    UCAS code
  • 38CB

    • Institution code

    		 H36

    School of study

    		 School of Education

    Course length
  • Full Time, 1 Years

    • Location
  • University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
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  • Employability

    Careers

    On successful completion of the programme you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status and be ready to start your teaching career.

    Work placement

    School experience is at the heart of the programme and during the thirty-six week programme you spend twenty-four weeks in school, and the rest of the time on campus. The school experience is made up of a number of serial day placements, including visits to a primary school and a special school and two block placements in partner secondary schools.

Professional Accreditations

Qualified Teacher Status

About the course

This Masters level professional training programme introduces you to the requirements for teaching History to the 11-16 age range and leads to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status. Where appropriate, opportunities to experience post 16 provision will be available.

You will be introduced to the principles and theories of secondary teaching through both subject studies and a developing professional practice course. Training is undertaken in partnership with local secondary schools.

We are looking to select trainees who:

  • have the passion, commitment and enthusiasm to teach in secondary schools
  • are resilient and able to work under pressure
  • have good subject knowledge to train to teach in the area they are interested in

Why choose this course?

The University of Hertfordshire is a leading regional provider of Initial Teacher Training. Consistently high achieving in its Ofsted inspections, it is recognised as a very good quality training provider by local employers. Graduate employability is high. 

The programme is structured to allow you to develop the skills required by a secondary History teacher, and to develop specific expertise for making a distinctive contribution to secondary practice.

The strengths of our PGCE secondary programmes are the high levels of pastoral care and support we offer trainees. We also have effective partnerships with schools, which enhances trainees' subject knowledge and conceptual understanding of teaching and ensures our trainees achieve good levels of attainment.

What will I study?

A wide range of teaching and learning methods are used. Tutor led sessions will include lectures, seminars and workshops, where active participation is encouraged. Twenty-four weeks of the programme are spent in local partnerships schools. This enables you to benefit from the knowledge and expertise of a team of practising teachers who lead key sessions as well as support you in your school-based training where you develop your classroom expertise.

  • Level 6
    Module Credits Compulsory/optional
    School-based training 1 30 Credits Compulsory
    School-based training 2 30 Credits Compulsory
  • Level 7
    Module Credits Compulsory/optional
    History subject and curriculum knowledge 30 Credits Compulsory
    Secondary Professional Learning and Development 30 Credits Compulsory

    • Further course information

    Course fact sheets
    PGCE Secondary Education Download
    PGCE Secondary Education Download
    Programme specifications
    PGCE in Education (Secondary) Download
    PGCE in Education (Secondary) Download
    Additional information

    Sandwich placement or study abroad year

    n/a

    Applications open to international and EU students

    		 No

    Student experience

    At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

    Find out about how we support our students

    You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

    Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, examinations may be replaced by an alternative form of assessment during the academic year 2020/2021. Please refer to the Programme Specification on these pages for further details.

    Please note that some of the images and videos on our course pages may have been taken before social distancing rules in the UK came into force.