One-Year Secondary PGCE (Full-time)

The Programme offers Initial Teacher Education and Training for teaching pupils in secondary schools in the following subject specialisms and age phases:

Download a copy of our current PGCE application process, stage by stage. 

What type of course is this?

The Postgraduate/Professional Graduate Certificate in Education is a one-year full-time course which leads to a Keele University award, together with a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for graduates wishing to teach in secondary schools.

What are the course entry requirements?

We seek to encourage applications from a wide variety of backgrounds, but all candidates will need to have:

  • an honours degree in your main teaching subject or have followed an undergraduate course within which that subject constituted a major component. It is normally expected that a minimum of 40% of your degree should be directly relevant to the subject in which an applicant wishes to train, although work related experience in some areas can be taken into account;
  • GCSE English Language and Mathematics at Grade C or higher (or equivalent qualification). Keele University offers equivalence tests for those candidates who do not have these qualifications Candidates must have GCSE or equivalent before they can commence the PGCE Programme (Please note, for the purposes of initial teacher training, level 2 numeracy and literacy qualifications are not considered as equivalent to GCSE grade C in Mathematics or English);
  • a degree classification that is normally at 2.2 or higher;
  • satisfactory levels of capability in Information and Communication Technology;
  • an interest in teaching within the curriculum area that is clearly demonstrated. This may be evidenced in a number of ways – time spent in schools and/or colleges, knowledge of the chosen curriculum area and appropriate/relevant practical and/or professional experience;
  • specific requirements for the subject that you wish to follow. Guidance on these can be found within the relevant subject pages in this Prospectus and in course leaflets.

We are very happy to consider candidates with professional qualifications of graduate equivalence status and we encourage applications from such people.  

We recognise that a number of people may have non-traditional degrees and/or other qualifications and/or experiences. We would encourage them to make contact with relevant staff within the School of Public Policy and Professional Practice to seek specific help and guidance.  We also offer one year subject knowledge enhancement courses in Computer Science, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics (successful completion of which enables you to commence on an initial teacher education programme at Keele or another institution).  

Contact the PGCE Office or telephone 01782 733120/733124 or 733130 for further information.

A Short Video from one of our French Students