Secondary Teaching leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) PGCE: English
- Education and teaching
- Postgraduate
Want to make a difference to the lives of young people in the classroom? Train to teach in one year with our Secondary Teaching PGCE course for English.
Gain the skills needed to pass on your passion for language and literature
Are you passionate about fostering pupils' enthusiasm and understanding of English?
Kingston University's PGCE English course is the perfect platform for you to kickstart your teaching career. Our vision is to develop critically confident, well-rounded teachers who are values-driven and ready to positively impact the lives of young people in their communities.
This innovative, future-facing teacher training route will enable you to develop a deeper understanding of key areas of English subject knowledge. It will also give you the opportunity to develop creative and inclusive approaches to subject specific pedagogy.
The course will explore the curricular requirements associated with English for 11-16 year-olds, as well as GCSE examinations. Trips and workshops exploring cross curricula links to teaching English will both broaden your subject knowledge-base and benefit your future employability in schools.
You will have the chance to put your learning into practice at Kingston's partnership schools. These schools, alongside the University, will provide the personalised support you need to achieve your best and go on to a successful and fulfilling career in secondary education.
The rest of the time will be spent being taught by highly experienced professionals who will support your emergence as a highly effective teacher.
The Department of Education provides the latest in classroom technology to ensure you embark on your work experience with the utmost confidence.
As a result, this course will prepare you for a successful career as a research-engaged English teacher. You’ll learn how to use evidence to drive improvements in young people's learning and wellbeing.
Why choose this course
Ready to shape the future of education? If our vision and values resonate with your goals, start your teaching journey with Kingston University.
An ambitious, future-facing curriculum
Our curriculum fully integrates the Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF), carefully sequencing university and school-based learning to support your development throughout the year. Built around reflexive practice, it develops the evidence-informed professional judgement needed to make well-informed decisions in the classroom and wider professional practice, including the intentional, critical and ethical use of AI. Intensive Training and Practice (ITaP) in areas such as behaviour management, inclusive practice and questioning enables you to apply theory in real classroom contexts, preparing you for the next stage of your professional development as an Early Career Teacher (ECT).
Compassionate, expert guidance and support
You'll be supported throughout the course by research-engaged subject-specialist university tutors and expert school-based mentors who work together to provide coherent guidance, coaching and feedback. Through critical engagement with educational research, observation of expert practice and regular opportunities for reflexive practice, you'll develop the subject knowledge, pedagogical expertise and professional judgement needed to become an effective teacher.
Our strong school partnerships, high-quality mentor training and compassionate pastoral support create an environment in which you'll be challenged, supported and encouraged to succeed. Alongside our commitment to staff and student wellbeing, this provides a strong foundation for achieving Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and building a rewarding career working with children and young people.
Reflexive, evidence-informed practice
Our PGCE is built around developing reflexive practice: using evidence, feedback and critical reflection to continually strengthen your teaching and professional judgement. By learning to question assumptions, evaluate your practice and respond thoughtfully to new evidence, you'll develop the compassionate professional judgement needed to adapt confidently to the changing demands of teaching throughout your career.
A qualification that takes you further
Alongside Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), you'll be awarded a masters-level PGCE with 60 credits that can support your continued postgraduate study, including progression to Kingston University's Master of Education (MA).
Education research
Many of our staff are research active. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
More than 95% of our graduates enter the teaching profession after they complete their course.
Library and learning resources
Our library (the Nightingale Centre) has every teaching resource you could think of to help you plan your lessons. The range of educational resources available reflect current educational thinking and are used in local schools. They cover material from early learning through to A-level.
The Nightingale Centre has no end of imaginative literature, with children's novels for all ability levels. Also available are the journals ‘Books for Keeps’ and ‘Carousel’, which provide the latest reviews on appropriate resources for children and teenagers.
You'll have access to a range of artefacts, games, posters and kits that can be used in history, religious education, science, maths and music lessons.
Course content
Year 1
Core modules
Career opportunities
The course aims to develop your professional skills to help you gain employment in a secondary school and continue with your professional development. More than 95% of our graduates enter the teaching profession after they complete their course. Many go into middle and senior management roles in schools.
Classroom experience
The course has been designed to allow trainees to spend 120 days in school, ensuring 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 with our partnership schools. Whilst on placement, students are expected to carry out the normal school hours and engage in school life. This expectation includes attending early morning/evening meetings, which will vary depending on the school.
Links with schools
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.
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.
Fees and funding
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Funding support for PGCE students
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.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying English Secondary Teaching PGCE at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support:
How to apply
Before you apply
Before you submit your application, please read through our entry criteria carefully to ensure you meet our requirements.
How to apply online
You can apply for your course through the UK Department for Education portal.
Please enter the details of institutions and courses clearly and correctly on your form, paying particular attention to the codes.
- The code for Kingston University is K84
- The course code for Secondary Teaching leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) PGCE: English is 37ZX
After you apply
Interviews are an important part of the selection process for teacher training courses. The University will make a decision following your interview and will then inform you through the UK Department for Education portal.
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. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
