Postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE)

A PGCE course mainly focuses on developing your teaching skills, and not on the subject you intend to teach. For this reason, you are expected to have a good understanding of your chosen subject(s) – usually to degree level – before you start training.

How long does a PGCE take?

Courses generally last for one year full-time or up to two years part-time.

Where can you do a PGCE?

PGCE courses are available at universities and colleges throughout the UK. It may also be possible to study for a PGCE via flexible distance learning, or in a school by completing a programme of school centred initial teacher training (SCITT).

What qualifications do you need?

You must have a UK undergraduate degree or a recognised equivalent qualification. Find out if your qualifications are equivalent to UK qualifications through UK NARIC. If your degree subject does not link closely to the subject you intend to teach, you may improve your ability to gain a place on an ITT programme by following a pre-training course to boost your subject knowledge.

You also need a standard equivalent to at least a grade C in GCSE English language and mathematics. If you want to teach primary or key stage 2/3 (ages 7-14), you must also have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C in a GCSE science subject.

Is there any funding available while I train?

You may be eligible to receive funding while you train for your PGCE. Find out about funding for postraduate teacher training.

How do you apply for a PGCE?

The majority of PGCE applications are made through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR). However, some ITT providers require that you approach them directly.

For secondary courses, you are able to apply to up to four different providers. For primary courses you may apply to two providers, in order of preference. If you are unsuccessful with your first choice, your application will be passed on to your second, and so on.

Visit the GTTR website for full details of available courses and how to apply.

When should you apply?

Generally speaking, the GTTR accepts applications from mid-September to June for courses starting the following September or October.

However, be aware that courses in primary teaching, PE and history are very popular and there is considerable competition for places. To guarantee that your first choice of course provider will consider you, you need to apply before the end of November in the year before you wish to train.

PGCEs in maths and science

From 2007 there will be funding available for extended postgraduate mathematics and science courses.

These courses are aimed at people who want to teach mathematics or science but need some additional subject knowledge training.

Courses will begin during the 2007/08 academic year and will last between 18 months and 2 years.

Eligible trainees undertaking these courses will receive a supplementary bursary of £7,000 taking their total bursary over the whole period of the course to £16,000. Bursaries are tax free.

To qualify, trainees must meet the normal conditions for initial teacher training (ITT) and be taking a course which will lead to them being qualified to teach mathematics, physics or chemistry to key stage 4 and key stage 3 or post-16.

For the latest information on course providers please call the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991.

Online and distance learning

Some universities offer distance learning and online elements of these PGCE courses. The Open University and Canterbury Christ Church University both offer this kind of postgraduate ITT.