Secondary Teaching leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) PGCE: Citizenship with Social Science

Why choose this course?

Want to make a difference to the lives of young people in the classroom? Train to teach in one year with our PGCE Secondary course.

This course will enable you to become an effective, inclusive and evidence informed teacher.

Why choose this pathway?

Kingston University's Citizenship with Social Sciences PGCE is an innovative, future-facing teacher education program designed for Social Science and Humanities graduates who are passionate about inspiring young people to become active, engaged citizens. Our aim is to develop confident, values-driven teachers ready to make a positive impact on young people's lives. You will learn how to build students' critical understanding of key citizenship and social science concepts, such as identity, rights, democracy, and justice, while benefiting from:

Dive into Citizenship topics such as democracy and justice while meeting curriculum requirements for teaching 11-16-year-olds, including GCSEs. Collaborate with institutions like the Houses of Parliament and the Association for Citizenship Teaching. The Social Science component equips you to teach Sociology, Politics, and Psychology to 14-19-year-olds, enhancing your employability.

Our PGCE blends academic learning with practical classroom experience, emphasizing essential skills like empathy, creativity, and digital competency, preparing you for a successful career as a Citizenship and / or Social Sciences teacher.

For more information about the course, please email Education Admissions at education@kingston.ac.uk.

Pathway UCAS code Mode Duration Start date
Citizenship with Social Science 2VZZ Full time 1 year September 2025
Main Location Kingston Hill

Reasons to choose Kingston University

  • This intensive, well-supported course prepares you to teach in the 11-16 age range and offers the opportunity to develop teaching for sixth form.
  • Kingston's partnership schools offer excellent opportunities for practical learning.
  • You will have personalised support from both University and partnership schools.

What you will study

Ambitious Curriculum: Our curriculum fully integrates the ITT Core Content Framework (CCF) in line with DfE requirements, sequencing theory and practice to support your development throughout the year. It includes innovations like AI integration to enhance your planning and teaching. Intensive Training and Practice elements focused on behaviour management, inclusive practice, and questioning, prepare you for the next stage in your professional development as an Early Career Teacher (ECT).

Expert Guidance: Learn from research-engaged subject-specialists who employ evidence-based teaching approaches. Through critical analysis of theory and research, and observation of expert practice, you'll gain a deep understanding of your subject and the practical pedagogical skills needed for teaching.

Strong Support: Benefit from strong school partnerships, high-quality pastoral support and mentor training, all aimed at ensuring your success in achieving Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Our commitment to staff and student wellbeing provides a solid foundation for a career in teaching and working with children and young people.

Future-facing, Real-World Application: The Professional Practice module is central to our PGCE and allows you to apply university learning to your classroom experience, emphasizing skills of empathy, adaptability, creativity, collaboration, and digital competency—essential elements for effective teaching practice now and for your future career.

In addition to gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in accordance with government standards, you will also receive the award of PGCE with 60 credits towards our Master of Education (MA), which you can continue with beyond your PGCE year.

Modules

Core modules

Professional Practice

0 credits

Non-credit bearing module

This module focuses on developing your ability to teach, assess and undertake your professional responsibilities in your chosen phase of education. It is part based at the University, where lectures, seminars and online learning will provide you with research, theory and practice based insights into effective learning and teaching. It is largely based upon your practice in school and settings, where you receive formal training, experience of working alongside professionals, experience of being the lead practitioner in a classroom/setting and experience of the wider aspects of being a teacher.

The Reflective Teacher

30 credits

This module introduces you to theories of reflective practice and the value and purpose of reflection for teachers. This will enable you to develop in-depth understanding of how you reflect in order to identify issues and develop solutions in your professional settings.

The main features of the module are critical explorations of factors that affect how children develop physically, socially and as learners. You will critically analyse issues relevant to your current practice, considering your own position as an effective teacher.

Through completion of a reflective journal during the module, you will develop critical, reflective and reflexive skills to inform peer and colleague discussion within a learning community. You will be encouraged and supported to challenge and develop your professional practice.

Perspectives on policy, practice and professionalism for teachers

30 credits

This module enables you to locate yourself as an emerging professional within wider discourses about teaching as a profession. It allows you to evaluate your own identity as a professional and reflect on the values that you and the wider profession hold. You will critically analyse discussions and debates which affect classroom practice. These debates will focus on specific areas to exemplify wider issues in education. The focus of these discussions will be on inclusive teaching and learning and the legislative frameworks which provide codes of practice. 

A key focus of the module is to develop your ability to make sense of education research and to apply this in the context of your school or setting.

Classroom experience

The course has been designed to allow trainees to spend 120 days in school, ensuring that you start your teaching career with confidence. A school-based professional mentor and tutors from the University will support you during your placements.

You will benefit from two contrasting placements in our committed partnership of schools. You'll also benefit from a course that supports you in becoming a research–engaged teacher, who can use evidence to drive improvements in young people's learning and wellbeing.

Whilst on placement, students are expected to carry out the normal school hours and engage in school life such as attending early morning/evening meetings, which will vary depending on the school.

Pupils sitting around a table during group work.

Entry requirements

Typical offer

  • An honours degree, preferably 2:2 or above, from a UK higher education institution or equivalent overseas qualification, relevant to your subject specialism (at least 50% of the degree content needs to be relevant to your subject specialism). 
  • GCSE grade 4 or above (C or above for examinations taken prior to 2017) in English and mathematics. If you do not meet the GCSE requirement in any of these subjects, we are happy for you to take your tests externally (via Equivalency Testing or A*Star Equivalency).
  • All overseas qualifications must be accompanied by NARIC equivalence. 
  • An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service and Health checking process which identifies no concerns about suitability to teach.

Please note: apply for this course through the UK Department for Education portal, here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training

Additional requirements

If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend an online interview via Microsoft Teams. The interview process is designed to enable us to assess your suitability to train to teach. You will be assessed against the five core areas of the Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (DfE, 2024). These are: behaviour management, pedagogy, curriculum, assessment and professional behaviours.

If you are offered a place on a teaching training course, we recommend you arrange to get experience in a school with children of relevant age. This way, you'll begin to become familiar with the demands and expectations of teaching.

Important safeguarding information

Kingston University, Department of Education, is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We implement safer recruitment procedures.

Candidates who are invited to interview will be required to complete a ‘breaks in employment' form and give relevant details of any gaps in employment or study. This form must be completed by 9am on the day before the scheduled interview. If you do have any gaps, these will be discussed in the interview. NOTE: If the form is not completed by the deadline, the interview may be subject to cancellation.

Candidates invited to interview will also be asked to complete a safeguarding declaration.

All candidates who are offered a place will be required to have a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal records check in Child Workforce as a condition of acceptance to their chosen course. We will also carry out a check of the prohibition from teaching list upon programme enrolment.

All candidates who are offered a place and have lived or worked outside the UK for a period of 3 months or longer (in the last 5 years), will be asked to apply for a Certificate of Good Conduct in addition to their DBS check.

All candidates who are offered a place on a PGCE programme will be required to provide references from two professional individuals.

As part of our due diligence process, we may also carry out an online search for candidates who are offered a place on the course and this may affect the status of the original offer.

International

All non-UK applicants must meet our English language requirement, which is Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no element below 6.0. Make sure you read our full guidance about English language requirements, which includes details of other qualifications we consider.

Applicants who do not meet the English language requirements could be eligible to join our pre-sessional English language course.

Applicants from a recognised majority English speaking countries (MESCs) do not need to meet these requirements.

Country-specific information

You will find more information on country specific entry requirements in the International section of our website.

Find your country:

Previous overseas teaching qualifications and experience

If you are a teacher or have teaching experience outside the UK, please view the different Routes to qualified teacher status (QTS) for teachers and those with teaching experience outside the UK - gov.uk.

If you are applying with an existing overseas teaching qualification you may already be eligible to apply directly for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) from the government.

If you do not meet the government requirements for QTS and have UK teaching experience, you may be able to apply to our Assessment Only route leading to Qualified Teacher Status.

Teaching and assessment

Your taught sessions will be a mix of seminars, lectures, practical workshops, field trips and work with pupils. Peer-led critical support groups will also feature in the programme. Most of your sessions will be taught by University tutors but there may also be guest speakers, such as headteachers or subject leaders.

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.

Support for postgraduate students

As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services

Your workload

  • Scheduled learning and teaching: 300 hours
  • Guided independent study (self-managed time): 570 hours
  • Placement: 120 days

Contact hours may vary depending on your modules.

How you will be assessed

You will not be required to take any exams. Your academic work will be assessed through coursework, such as essays and presentations.

At the end of each school placement, your teaching will be assessed to ensure you are making appropriate progress and have engaged with the five core areas as outlined in the Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (DfE, 2024). This will ensure that you are able to meet the Teachers' Standards (DfE, 2021) by the end of the course.

The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows.

  • 100% coursework (portfolio-based)

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Why choose Kingston's Department of Education

Reputation

We have a rich history of educating educators; providing a strong foundation for learning and teaching.

Putting you first

We recognise your needs and aspirations, personalise your learning experience and putting you at the heart of everything we do.

Expert educationalists

Our staff are research-engaged educationalists, making knowledge accessible for you to incorporate in your professional practice. 

Inter-professional collaboration

Our shared faculty brings valuable experience and insight from other professionals that work with children and young people. 

Who teaches this course?

The tutors for your course have experience teaching in schools. They continue to be actively involved in a range of education related activities, such as further study, research and direct work with schools and in educational settings.

Fees for this course

2025/26 fees for this course

Home 2025/26

  • PGCE full time £9,250

International 2025/26

  • PGCE full time £18,500

2024/25 fees for this course

Home 2024/25

  • PGCE full time £9,250

International 2024/25

  • PGCE full time £17,800

Funding

Bursaries and scholarships

For information about bursaries and scholarships available from the Department for Education for PGCE courses for this September academic year, please visit: Funding: initial teacher training (ITT) - gov.uk

Postgraduate loans

Eligible UK and EU students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

Please be aware: although this course is at postgraduate level, as it is possible to obtain a tuition fee loan for PGCE courses they are to be treated as undergraduate courses when it comes to tuition fee liability as a result of withdrawal or break in studies.

Discounts for Kingston University alumni

Kingston University is pleased to offer a 10% discount on full-time and part-time postgraduate degree course tuition fees (including PGCE courses) to our alumni. Visit our Alumni discount page to find out more.

Need to know more?

Visit our Fees and funding page to find out about the student funding options available to help you fund your postgraduate studies. 

Current research in this subject

Many of our staff in the Department of Education are research active. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.

Education research at Kingston focuses on:

  • Subject pedagogy
  • Curriculum design
  • Planning 
  • Assessment
  • Safeguarding
  • SEND and inclusive practice
  • Early Years
  • Supporting more able learners
  • Educational inequalities
  • Policy
  • History of education

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (for example, art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks, this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residence. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees, this may cost up to £100 per year.

Travel

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston-upon-Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

Placements

You will need to pay for your travel to and from school placements, costs can vary depending on the location and mode of transport.

DBS check

The University pays for the processing of the application which is £51 but students are expected to pay a small fee (approximately £7) to the Post Office to get their ID documents verified and £13 per year for subscribing to the Update Service. This subscription allows universities and potential employers to view any changes to students' DBS.

Kingston Hill

There is a wide range of facilities at our Kingston Hill campus, where this course is based.

Kingston Hill is a leafy, hillside campus situated about three miles away from Kingston town centre. It is a quiet, secure place to study with easy access to London, meaning it provides the best of all worlds for our students.

Find out more about the Kingston Hill campus in the virtual tour.

Library

One of the highlights of the Kingston Hill campus is the modern library, called the Nightingale Centre after Florence Nightingale, who was a regular visitor to Kingston Hill.

The library provides a spacious and attractive place for students to meet and study and features a cafe, more PCs and zoned study areas. Long opening hours give you plenty of access to specialist education books, journals and online resources.

Find out more about the Nightingale Centre in the virtual tour.

Computer and online facilities

There are many computers (PCs and Macs) available for you to use across the Kingston Hill campus when you need a place to study. Access to the wireless network across the campus means you can also work from your laptop or mobile device.

Using IT to support your studies is crucial. Kingston has an innovative virtual learning environment called Canvas. This allows you to access course materials and contact fellow students and staff while away from the campus.

Facilities

The latest in classroom technology

The latest in classroom technology

The latest in classroom technology

While you are studying to become a teacher here at Kingston University, much of your time will be spent putting your skills into practice within a school environment. The rest of the time will be spent being taught by highly experienced professionals. The School of Education prides itself on providing the latest in classroom technology to ensure you embark on your work experience in schools with the utmost confidence, and to give you a head start in your first teaching post.

Virtual teaching rooms

Virtual teaching rooms

Virtual teaching rooms

Within Kingston University, we have a number of teaching rooms set up to replicate actual classrooms. Each classroom is subject based - there is an art room, science lab, etc - and is equipped with all the relevant facilities you will need to practise your lessons before taking them into school.

Library resources

Library resources

Library resources

All our education students have access to the libraries and IT resources at Kingston University.

Our library (the Nightingale Centre) has every teaching resource you could think of to help you plan your lessons, as well as a dedicated librarian to help you find what you're looking for. The range of educational resources available also aims to reflect current educational thinking and are used in local schools. They cover material from early learning through to A-level.

From picture books with corresponding DVDs/ videos, CDs and even puppets, to children's novels for all ability levels, and from poetry and plays to fairy tales, the Nightingale Centre has no end of imaginative literature to help you bring your classes to life. Also available are the journals Books for Keeps and Carousel, which provide the latest reviews on appropriate resources for young infants and teenagers, offering you added inspiration.

The Nightingale Centre offers more than just books to help you in your studies and lesson plans. You'll have access to a range of children's music and nursery rhymes on CD, as well as artefacts and kits that can be used to illustrate historical periods, different religions, science, maths and music. We also have puppets and story sacks, which contain a picture book, nonfiction book, soft toy or puppet and a game or other associated materials, as well as posters, CD-ROMs and DVDs/videos.

Further resources

Further resources

Further resources

Further resources are available including:

  • Classroom resources by subject - which link to organisations for teachers, and to websites for teachers and children; and
  • Thousands of quality photographic images from the Getty archive (Education Image Gallery), which you can use to create classroom resources.

Links with business and industry

We have links with:

  • A strong partnership of schools and settings in which you'll train
  • Special schools
  • Teaching school alliances
  • Multi-academy trusts
  • Schools and settings-centred Initial Teacher Training providers
  • Local authorities
  • Teaching unions
  • Other universities around the country to share good practice

After you graduate

The course also aims to develop your professional skills to help you gain employment in a secondary school and continue with your professional development. It will provide you with a rigorous training in all aspects of being a secondary school teacher. Over 95% of our graduates enter the teaching profession after they complete their course. Many go into middle and senior management roles in schools.

Course changes and regulations

The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.

Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.

Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.