PGCE Secondary Social Sciences
Course code
Full-time - TEPQ-X3H1 (X3HH)
Qualification
PGCE Secondary Social Sciences
Duration
1 year
Start Date
1st September 2025
Department of Study
Centre for Teacher Education
Location of Study
University of Warwick
This course is ideal for those who have studied a Social Sciences related undergraduate degree.
Our Social Sciences PGCE can cover the following subjects:
- Psychology
- Sociology
This course will recommend you on completion for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) to work with 14-19 year-olds. You'll become a confident teacher and make a real difference to your students' development and lives.
The course will develop you into a highly effective teacher, equipped with the skills and knowledge to become a successful school leader.
96% of our graduates rated us outstanding and good for quality of support by personal tutor through tutorials and opportunity for email communication.2019-2020
Our PGCE courses had an overall completion rate of 93%. 2019-2020
We're nationally known for the quality of our training, and our work's based on a partnership with over 500 local schools in Coventry, Warwickshire and the West Midlands.
Course overview
Our Secondary Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Social Sciences) focuses on the 14-19 age range. The course will develop you into a highly effective teacher, equipped with the values, skills and knowledge to become a successful school leader.
Our courses offer the best of both immersive, school-based training and regular teaching input from experts with subject specialist teaching experience. In addition, you can access the support and learning facilities of a world-class university.
On the course you will develop a secure subject knowledge base, and the ability to plan and teach in your subject so that all pupils learn and make good progress. You will learn how to assess and evaluate learning and develop your teaching to ensure progress for all pupils. You will also learn about the needs of pupils and how to adapt your teaching to strengthen inclusion in your teaching.
In partnership with regional schools, we will ensure that you have the skills and knowledge needed to forge a strong personal and professional identity, which you will continue to develop throughout your career. The Warwick Teacher Values, of Social Justice, Intellectual Curiosity and Creativity run through all our programmes.
What is a PGCE?
A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is usually a one-year teacher training course. It offers a mixture of academic and practical learning, and it's the first step for graduates in the development of a teaching career. It provides a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS – a requirement to teach in the state school system as a Newly Qualified Teacher).
Which route will you take?
Throughout the year, both the University-led and Partner led routes are taught together. From September until the end of May, you will spend one day a week at the university. During the final few weeks of the course, you will experience five days a week in school.
There are regular personal tutorials with your university personal tutor throughout the year, as well as weekly mentor meetings in school and termly school visits from your moderation tutor. A minimum of 120 days are spent on school placement and a short primary school placement is undertaken during the year.
Core | University-led
On the university-led PGCE programme you will undertake two main school placements organised by our partnership office, one for one term and one for two terms.
You will also have further days in school as part of our Intensive Training and Practice programme focussing on key pedagogies including behaviour, planning, literacy and inclusion. The rest of the programme will consist of sessions taught by the University of Warwick as well as independent study.
If you feel passionate about teaching and would like a programme offering placements in a range of schools, this may be the best option for you. We will provide you with a good grounding upon which you will be building your professional skills and understanding in schools. A limited number of optional three-day placements in a special school are also available to students on the University-led route.
Lead Partner route
Partner-led trainees have placements in two schools organised by the Partners school. Two terms are based at the host school and up to one term at an alternative setting where the complementary placement takes place.
You will also have further days in school as part of our Intensive Training and Practice programme focussing on key pedagogies including behaviour, planning, literacy and inclusion.
If you would rather be immersed in the classroom environment and school culture and apply directly to one of our lead partners, consider the Partner led route where you'll spend the majority of the year based in a single school. There are two Lead Partner Routes available, Partner Led Training and School Direct Salaried, on both routes you’ll complete a complementary placement.
On the Partner Led training route you may be eligible for funding through tuition fee loans and bursaries. School Direct salaried provides an employment-based option and is ideal for graduates with extensive work experience, who have worked in a school or similar setting for some time. You won’t be eligible for any bursaries or scholarships but you will receive a salary while you train. School Direct (salaried) trainees are usually contracted to the end of the school year.
Why Warwick?
In the Centre for Teacher Education, our values-based approach to developing early career teachers derives from our commitment to developing teachers who are just, curious, and creative who contribute positively to every child’s educational outcome (including SEND and EAL pupils), and to tackling social deprivation.
At Warwick, we’ll help you find your own path to success. We understand that teaching is more than just a job. We also know that you are more than just another applicant. That’s why our approach is tailored around your needs. We’re focused on getting you prepared to enter the classroom, and ready for all the challenges that teaching throws at you. We won’t drop you in at the deep end, but we will help you become accustomed to different school environments.
We have a long history of providing students with the best access to the contacts, resources and facilities needed to fulfil teaching promise. You’ll also benefit from our research-informed teaching, delivered at an acclaimed university with a reputation for excellence. That teaching will come from people who truly understand about the journey that you’re taking.
There’s lots to take in when you think about becoming a teacher. That’s why we ensure that support is available whenever you need it. As well as having a personal tutor, that will support you throughout the time you’re at Warwick, you can rely upon the friendship and guidance from your fellow trainees. We also have online resources dedicated to giving you the help and support you need.
So choose Warwick, and give yourself the ideal start for that journey. Be somewhere which believes your teaching career can be as long, rewarding and enjoyable as you want it to be. Be somewhere that trusts you to follow a more personalised teaching path, but will be there for you wherever that path takes you.
Contact us
Enrolment questions: cte dot admissions at warwick dot ac dot uk
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
- Bachelors degree with Honours at 2:2 or above, or equivalent level.
- At least Grade C or the new Grade 4 in GCSE English and Mathematics.*
Equivalency Tests
We are able to accept approved 3rd party equivalency tests in place of GCSEs. The current providers that have been approved are as follows, with details of the current discounts that are available. If you are intending to use another equivalency testing company, we recommend you contact our admissions team prior to doing so to ensure that they meet the entry criteria.
- Why choose Equivalency Testing?
- Long standing company
- Excellent student support
- Secure testing
- Good and quick feedback
- Significant discount available for PGCE offer holders, please email cte.admissions@warwick.ac.uk for the code.
Why chose A Star Equivalency?
- Excellent student support
- A clear outline of required material in each exam
- Rolling programme of live online subject specific support sessions.
- An extensive range of free support material
- Practice papers and marking schemes
- Discounted from £165* to £139 (saving £26). Please contact cte.admissions@warwick.ac.uk for the discount code.
If you are intending to use another equivalency testing company, we recommend you contact our admissions team prior to doing so to ensure that they meet the entry criteria.
English requirements
Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, you will need a minimum score of 7.0 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Find out more about English requirements at Warwick.
Documentation
If you graduated in the last two years, you’ll need to provide an academic reference. Please refer to your DfE portal for further information
You will need original certificates of all your qualifications. If you don’t have these any more, you can obtain a Certified Statement of Results instead, but these can take some time to retrieve from exam boards and you may need to pay a fee.
Subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) courses
Usually, an honours degree or equivalent qualification, in the subject specialism or a subject directly relevant will be accepted. If your degree isn’t in the subject area you wish to teach or you have relevant professional experience but need to learn how to apply that to teaching you may be suitable for a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course. If you are eligible following an application you will be recommended a particular length of SKE course to complete. We require that the SKE is completed preferably before the course start date in August and at the latest by October half term.
If your recommended length of SKE course significantly overlaps the start of the course you can opt to consider a deferral. SKE courses vary in length from usually 8 (short) to 28 (long) weeks. Short, medium and long SKE courses are still available but this is subject to change and subject to individual SKE providers. The Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE): course directoryLink opens in a new window will give you an overview and directory of subject knowledge enhancement courses.
Classroom Experience
Although it is not a requirement for entry, we strongly recommend that you have some experience in the classroom within mainstream UK schools (Key Stage 3 and 4) before applying. This experience will give you a flavour for your potential future career and will help you write your application. Find out how to gain school experience.
Safeguarding checks
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff, enrolled trainees and offer holders to share this commitment. The successful completion of an enhanced DBS check to confirm your suitability for the profession is a condition of any offer to study within CTE. Disclosure does not automatically make you ineligible to enrol onto a PGCE course, each application will be considered on a case by case basis, we recommend you use the DBS guidelines for applicants with previous convictions.
*The new grading system for those receiving their results for GCSE Maths and English was adopted in 2017. The grading system is now 9-1, with Grade 9 awarded to those students in the very top tier. Grade 4 is considered equivalent to the old Grade C.
**Special offer for the University of Warwick students. Maths exams are available in Foundation or Higher. English, Science and Biology are untiered
If students require further support, we offer a range of low cost options.
Core Modules
Subject Studies
This module is taught by a subject specialist and focuses on the theory, method and practice of teaching your own subject.
Professional Enquiry
This module aims to add depth and breadth to your professional development by supplementing the practical, school-based components of your training, by developing you as an effective reflective practitioner who is able to engage critically with both academic research and your own practice.
Professional Practice
This module contains both taught content and school placements, focusing on the Teachers StandardsLink opens in a new window which range from behaviour management and lesson planning to personal and professional conduct.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed in the following ways. All assignments are submitted in electronic form. Your tutors will give you formal feedback identifying the strengths of the academic piece, and offer any advice for future work. The current assessment methods consist of the following, however, CTE reserves the right to change these as appropriate in line with the requirements of regulatory authorities such as Ofsted and the DfE.
Subject Studies (Master's level)
A series of assessments focussing on both educational theory and issues in your specialist subject
1 x 3000-word essay,
1 x Academic Poster (equivalent to 1,500-words)
Professional Enquiry (Master's level)
A reflective case study on an area of educational practice in your placement school(s) supported by a literature review
1 x 4000 word essay
Professional Practice (Master's level)
Meeting the Teachers’ Standards at a Good or Outstanding level (Regular observations by mentors and Teaching Fellows; Tutorials; and Professional Digital Portfolio)
1 x 2000 word professional report
1 x Viva
Fees and Funding
| Route | 2025-26 | ||
| PGCE (Uni-led, Core) | Full Time | Home | £ 9,535 |
| PGCE (Partner Led) | Full Time | Home | £ 9,535 |
| PGCE (School Direct Salaried) | Full Time | Home | £ 2,100 |
| PGCE (Uni-led, Core & Partner-led) | Full Time | EU/Overseas | £ 27,680 |
To find out the current bursary available for your subject visit Get into Teaching.Link opens in a new window
Additional Costs
- Study costs
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access. - Computing requirements
A computing device with a browser and broadband internet access is required for the course. The university provides central guidance on the recommended specification for any device you use to undertake your academic work. - Travel expenses
There will be extra costs associated with travel to professional practice placements.
For up-to-date information concerning fees, funding and scholarships for Home/EU and Overseas students please visit Warwick's Fees and Funding webpage.Link opens in a new window
Your career
Career progression may be through a specialist curriculum or pastoral role, or by moving into management. Teachers may become heads of Key Stages or coordinators of a cross-curricular area, such as special needs or careers education, as well as subject or professional mentors for trainee teachers on placement.
Upon completing this course you'll be recommended for qualified teacher status (QTS) and gain 90 credits at Master's level. This allows you to fast-track to stage two of our Master's degree, quickly progressing your professional development. If you choose to complete a different Master's, you can still use 60 credits towards your course.
PGCE University-led (core)
Applications are usually open between October - June. Once you have your course choice and certificates, you can apply through DfE Apply.*Link opens in a new window
Lead Partners
You can find out lead partners on DfE apply - Each school has a different DfE Apply Code and you can apply directly to the partners. Our proposed lead partners for 2024/25 are:
|
School |
DfE Apply Code |
| NEW! | |
|
The Ignite FederationLink opens in a new window (The Revel Primary School) |
NEW! |
|
Arden Teaching AllianceLink opens in a new window (Secondary) |
2BU |
| 179 | |
|
Dorridge Alliance; Part of The Arden Multi Academy TrustLink opens in a new window |
2KX |
| 21T | |
|
St Peter's Catholic School Solihull Teacher Training AllianceLink opens in a new window |
17Y |
| 1K1 | |
| 5A1 | |
|
Transforming Lives Educational Trust Initial Teacher TrainingLink opens in a new window (TLET ITT) |
1XO |
| 2BN | |
|
Coventry and Central Warwickshire Teaching School HubLink opens in a new window |
1GH |
With the possible addition of more.
The list will be updated here once partnerships are confirmed.
*When applying for the University-led PGCE through DfE Apply, you need to select the University of Warwick. If you are applying for a Partner led route with us, you select the name of the school accredited by the University Of Warwick.
We recommend that if you wish to gain your qualification through the University of Warwick, you select your DfE Apply options as University of Warwick University-led (Core) and one of the schools affiliated with us (Lead Partners). We have lots of information about our partner schools available.