Hit enter to search or ESC to close
PGCE
Everything we do in our life involves science. Biology helps students understand the bigger picture and connects us to the world in which we live in. It develops an understanding of complex forms of humans, animals and plants a well as developing an awareness of the interaction between humanity and the world.
We’ve designed this course to help you understand how to support KS3, KS4, and KS5 students. You’ll develop the skills you need to make sure young people understand the world in which they live in.
Throughout your training, you’ll get hands-on experience on placement and spend time on campus developing your teaching skills.
From getting the most out of your induction, to tips on teaching your first lesson, your personal tutor will be there to support you on every step of your PGCE journey. You will spend time exploring a variety of teaching methods in our laboratories.
On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: PGCE Secondary Biology
At Staffordshire University, we have close links with partner schools across the region.
We’ll always aim to arrange placements within 40 minutes of where you live.
Our Biology PGCE takes 36 weeks to complete. This school-led course includes a one-week induction to prepare you for your placement and weekly sessions to develop your knowledge of the curriculum.
To give you experience in the classroom, you’ll spend at least 120 days working in two local secondary schools as well as visiting a local primary school. But, don’t worry, you won’t have the pressure of teaching an entire lesson straight away.
Your training will begin with observing a teacher and helping with group work. Then you’ll share the classes with the teacher and work towards teaching lessons independently.
Alongside teaching, you’ll join in with day-to-day life at the school. Each school has a professional mentor to help you understand the ethos, pastoral care systems, legal and social framework, and supporting services.
You’ll also have weekly meetings with your subject or class mentor to help you prepare for teaching, review lessons, and develop your subject knowledge.
Video
Find out more about the benefits of studying a PGCE at Staffordshire University
Sorry, this video requires the use of functional cookies which you have not consented to use. Change your cookie settings or watch the video on the provider's website
The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.
This module will focus on the pedagogy and practice of teaching. You will develop your understanding of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and the craft of teaching.
Module code: EDUC60621
Planning lessons and developing learning resources and schemes of work. Subject knowledge in the context of age, level, ability and programme of study. Common student misconceptions. Building challenge into subject learning. Different forms of subject knowledge- the special status of subject knowledge for teachingAssessmentAssessment standards and methods. Forms of assessment and issues. Formative and summative assessment - making assessment an integral part of planning and delivery. Assessment criteria in subject at different Key Stages. Consistency in assessment. Feedback to students.
Module code: EDUC60272
Module code: EDUC60622
Process skills for training to be a teacher:Observing lessons; identifying the context of learning; setting aims, objectives, learning outcomes; questioning; choosing learning activities; evaluating lessons; Use of ICT to support Teaching and Learning.Thinking about learning:Types of learning; short and long-term memory; self-esteem; attention; motivation; behaviour management; styles of learning; language and numeracy skills; Diversity: individual differences and special needs.
Module code: EDUC70273
Subject Education in the School Curriculum:Aims and objectives of subject education; subject curriculum history and current curriculum debate; the nature of subject learning. The variety of contexts: A2 and AS level, GCSE and KS3; vocational dimensions. Links with other subject areas - cross curricular issues. Recent curriculum developments and potential future directions.Preparing for Learning and TeachingObjectives and lesson planning; designing classroom tasks using a variety of resources; preparing schemes of work and issues in progression; assessment and record keeping; using simulations and practical activities; the role of ICT in subject learning; using visual stimulus; creativity and innovation in subject learning. Other issues in teaching and learning - diversity, personalisation, literacy and numeracy
Module code: EDUC70271
You can apply for this course via Gov.uk. Please click on this link to start your application.
For this course, you need an Honours Degree with a 2:2 classification in a biological science with at least half of the content related to Biology and a GCSE grade C/4 or above in both English Language and Mathematics, we also expect you to be confident in technology.
Applicants will be expected to teach Biology across all relevant key stages as well as Chemistry and Physics at KS3 and possibly KS4, so an additional qualification in one or both of these subjects is highly desirable.
After you apply, we’ll arrange a selection interview. During the interview process we will assess your subject knowledge and personal qualities, such as communication skills, resilience for teaching, and how easy you’ll find it to relate to secondary age students.
If you accept a formal offer, you’ll need to meet the Department for Education’s standards for physical and mental fitness to teach and you’ll need clearance to work with children (Enhanced DBS).
Event
The university requires a minimum of IELT 6.0 in all four elements.
For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.
Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.
We have Libraries and service desks at both sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford. Our experienced and friendly staff can answer your IT queries, help you to access resources, show you how to research for your assignments and help with referencing.
With a PGCE and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), you’ll be ready to teach Biology in secondary schools across England.
Most of our graduates secure their first teaching position while on the PGCE, with many of them securing roles within our partnership schools.
After you’ve completed this course, you can join our Masters in Education. Your PGCE gives you Masters credits which means you’ll be fast tracked and can complete this course by the end of your second year of teaching.
All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.
Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:
If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.
Our industry experienced and research-focused academic team draw on a wealth of knowledge and practical experience in order to create an ambitious and innovative learning environment.
P/T Lecturer (Hrly) - Education
As a very experienced and effective classroom teacher of Biology/Science. I have taught all age and ability ranges at KS4/KS5. I have experience of managing a Biology and Science Department. My considerable experience of being a Subject and Prof…
For the course starting on 5 September 2022 the tuition fees are:
If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Fees and Bursaries Team.
Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.
For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation
You can apply to the Student Loans Company (SLC) for the following support:
For more information and how to apply visit www.gov.uk/teacher-training-funding.
You could receive up to £32K or £34K in total - £26K as a tax free bursary or £28K scholarship with additional payments of £6K after tax once in teaching.
Your eligibility for financial support, and the amount you can expect to receive, will depend on the subject you choose to teach and your degree classification or highest relevant academic qualification.
For more information and how to apply visit https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-my-teacher-training/bursaries-and-scholarships-for-teacher-training.
You may also be eligible for a Staffordshire University bursary when you choose to study one of our postgraduate Education courses. Visit our Fees and Bursaries page to find out more.
The placement is wonderful and Staffs Uni really took personal circumstances into account when arranging the placement. The staff are fantastic and amazingly supportive – they all want to help the most that they can. The content which is delivered is not only useful for future careers, but also interesting and thought provoking. The placement is wonderful and Staffs Uni really took personal circumstances into account when arranging the placement. The communication between the Uni and the placement have been fantastic.
The placement is wonderful and Staffs Uni really took personal circumstances into account when arranging the placement.
The staff are fantastic and amazingly supportive – they all want to help the most that they can. The content which is delivered is not only useful for future careers, but also interesting and thought provoking.
The placement is wonderful and Staffs Uni really took personal circumstances into account when arranging the placement. The communication between the Uni and the placement have been fantastic.
The PGCE team are friendly, supportive, and at the forefront of educational research. I would encourage anyone considering studying the PGCE in Secondary Biology to apply! The PGCE team are friendly, supportive, and at the forefront of educational research. The PGCE is a hard course but the PGCE has been developed to have our wellbeing at the heart to ensure we can be the most effective practitioners. I have specifically enjoyed the placement school. I have been supported highly by the staff at the school and from the PGCE team. The placement I was matched with was in the local area. My school placement has been very supportive at all times. They have been excellent at providing on-going training that complements the taught material at university.
The PGCE team are friendly, supportive, and at the forefront of educational research.
I would encourage anyone considering studying the PGCE in Secondary Biology to apply! The PGCE team are friendly, supportive, and at the forefront of educational research. The PGCE is a hard course but the PGCE has been developed to have our wellbeing at the heart to ensure we can be the most effective practitioners.
I have specifically enjoyed the placement school. I have been supported highly by the staff at the school and from the PGCE team. The placement I was matched with was in the local area. My school placement has been very supportive at all times. They have been excellent at providing on-going training that complements the taught material at university.
I completed a placement in a local secondary school which enabled me to gain experience to go onto the teacher training course. I completed a placement in a local secondary school which enabled me to gain experience to go onto the teacher training course that I am now on. Although we only had to complete this for two weeks, I stayed for around six months, working around my days in university. I plan to complete my NQT year next academic year and teach in a local secondary school, which have already offered me a job. I made so many great friends at Staffs and I wish I could do my time here again!
I completed a placement in a local secondary school which enabled me to gain experience to go onto the teacher training course.
I completed a placement in a local secondary school which enabled me to gain experience to go onto the teacher training course that I am now on. Although we only had to complete this for two weeks, I stayed for around six months, working around my days in university.
I plan to complete my NQT year next academic year and teach in a local secondary school, which have already offered me a job.
I made so many great friends at Staffs and I wish I could do my time here again!
If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.
Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.
Twitter account for Institute of Education
Facebook account for Institute of Education
Institute of Education - Instagram
Times Higher Awards 2020
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022
Midlands Business Awards 2020
Browser does not support script.