PGCE in Secondary Education (Physics with Mathematics) with Recommendation for QTS

Entry requirements

• An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the field in which you intend to teach. Normally this should be a 2.2 classification or above in preparation for Masters level professional study.
• Maths and English grades A* to C, or equivalent, at GCSE level.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Today’s pupils get equal enjoyment from learning about how things work and as a secondary school physics teacher you will learn to build upon and sustain this interest as pupils journey through the physics national curriculum. As a Physics and Maths teacher you will initiate and develop, within their pupils, a secure understanding of how, through the ideas of physics, the complex and diverse phenomena of the natural world can be described in terms of a number of key ideas which can be applied universally.

Our aim is to help you become a Physics and Maths teacher who approaches every lesson with content and pedagogical knowledge to spare. Knowledge you may not need to use but will give you confidence as a teacher and clearly demonstrate to your pupils that they can learn from you. The need for qualified, enthusiastic teachers with an understanding of the demands society places on young people has never been greater. The opportunity to educate children and young people, and learn from them in return, is immensely rewarding.

Brunel’s PGCE in Secondary Education (Physics with Mathematics) is designed to prepare you to teach pupils aged 11 to 16 the subject of physics. Additionally, and as a direct result of an initiative by the Institute of Physics in response to the need for specialist physics teachers in secondary schools, you will have the option to offer mathematics as a subsidiary subject.

Schools are seeking teachers with high levels of pedagogical competence and skill, as well as advanced subject knowledge for teaching as well as knowledge of the theories, policies and systems relevant to education. The focus of your studies will be on the principles and methods of teaching and learning delivered through three core modules, together with compulsory, practical school-based teaching placements. Your progress will be assessed in both areas.

As part of your teacher education, you will be taught how to use subject knowledge and relevant course specifications to plan and deliver the curriculum for pupils from 11-16, including examination and vocational courses. Your placement will typically take you into Brunel partner schools or other educational settings in and around London for at least 120 days in block placements in two or more different contexts working with a school-based mentor.

Links with schools across our partnership enable you to undertake placements that will equip you with the skills to work with young people in a diverse range of educational contexts. The Education Department at Brunel was highly praised for this Partnership work in the 2015 Ofsted inspection – Ofsted graded Brunel’s Initial Teacher Education Partnership as ‘Outstanding’ in all areas.

As you progress through your own development and learning on the course, you will be encouraged to reflect critically and constructively on your own and others’ teaching practices in relation to a range of aspects including national and regional priorities and policies, and current research.

At the heart of the programme is the commitment to ensuring that your practice will impact positively on pupil progress over time, and Brunel Partnership activities with schools will contribute to school improvement in which you will play a central part.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive both a postgraduate certificate in Education (PGCE) and a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Information for international students

English language requirements

• IELTS: 7 (min 6 in all areas)
• Pearson: 64 (59 in all sub scores)
• BrunELT: 68% (min 58% in all areas)
• TOEFL: 98 overall (min 20 in all)

You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.