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PGCE in Secondary Education Drama

Why choose Herts?

  • Ranked best university provider for Teacher Training in the UK (NSS, 2020-21).
  • Benefit from strong partnerships with over 300 schools and training providers across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Cambridgeshire.
  • Bursaries and scholarships up to £29k available for some PGCE Secondary courses. More information about teacher training funding.

Professional Accreditations

Qualified Teacher Status.

About the course

This Masters level professional training programme introduces you to the requirements for teaching Drama 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.

Rated Good by Ofsted 2023, the Ofsted report highlighted that ''The University of Hertfordshire ITE programme is thoroughly planned and carefully sequenced. This ensures that the curriculum is ambitious and provides trainees with the knowledge and skills to teach their chosen subject effectively''. 

The programme is structured to allow you to develop the skills required by a secondary drama 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.

In addition, this qualification is worth 60 Master's-level credits (one third of a Master's degree). Following completion of the PGCE you can top-up part-time to a Master's degree in Education.

10th for education and teaching in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, 2024).

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.

The programme includes opportunities to visit different educational contexts, including a primary school and a special needs school.

  • Level 6
    ModuleCreditsCompulsory/optional
    School-based training 130 CreditsCompulsory
    School-based training 230 CreditsCompulsory
    Professional learning and development30 CreditsOptional
    Subject and curriculum knowledge30 CreditsOptional
  • Level 7
    ModuleCreditsCompulsory/optional
    Professional learning and development30 CreditsCompulsory
    Drama subject and curriculum knowledge30 CreditsCompulsory
  • Further course information

    Course fact sheets
    PGCE Secondary (Drama) Download
    PGCE Secondary Education Download
    Programme specifications
    PGCE Secondary (Drama) 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

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