Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with QTS in Secondary (11-16 or 11-18)

Find out more about our Postgraduate Certificate in Secondary Education (PGCE) with QTS degree at Warwick

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N/A*

PGCE

1 year full-time

1 September 2025

Centre for Teacher Education (CTE)

University of Warwick

The Secondary Postgraduate Certificate in Education is a high-quality, Ofsted rated outstanding programme founded on the Warwick Teacher Values of Social Justice, Intellectual Curiosity and Creativity. Warwick's Centre for Teacher Education has strong partnerships with schools across the region. With us you will become an effective and confident teacher and make a real difference to young people’s futures.

The course is fully accredited by the Department for Education, and in 2024 received an 'Outstanding' grade from Ofsted. The ambitious curriculum both encompasses and goes beyond the ITT Core Content Framework.

*For more information on how to apply please visit our Centre for Teacher Education webpagesLink opens in a new window.

Our Secondary Postgraduate Certificate in Education focuses on the 11-18 age range. Our 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.

The secondary programme is offered across the following subjects:

• Art and Design
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Drama
• English
• Geography
• History
• Maths
• MFL
• Music
• Physical Education
• Physics
• Religious Education
• Business Studies and Economics
• Social Sciences (Psychology and Sociology)
• Design Technology

Please visit the Centre for Teacher Education websiteLink opens in a new window to find out more.

Regular tutorials and a tailored seminar programme ensure that you are treated as an individual from the outset and are supported to progress according to your ability, taking account of your professional and personal development needs. Teaching is mainly through small group workshop sessions that provide time to explore how your own teaching is informed by what you learn on the course.

The online conferences and Intensive Training and Practice components provide you with the opportunity to work with students on the primary, early years and international PGCE courses, thereby enriching the learning experience.

Class Size

Contact Hours

You will be assessed through a range of Master’s level assignments, which are aimed at assessing your professional and subject specific learning. You will also be assessed on whether you meet the Teachers’ Standards at a level appropriate for an Early Career Teacher.

Reading lists 

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platform.  

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogue.   

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to publication dates. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department. 

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you when you join us.

2:2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.

At least Grade C or 4 in GCSE English and Mathematics (or equivalent).

Apply through DfE Apply for postgraduate teacher training programmes.

• Band B
• IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

Suitability and safeguarding checks.

Optional modules

There are no optional modules for this course.