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University of Gloucestershire
Postgraduate taught

Secondary Education Geography PGCE

Course options

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Study type
Full Time
Course length
1 Years
Campus
Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham
Course code
PGSGEO16

What is Secondary Education Geography PGCE?

We offer our students an exceptional training experience – if you’re looking for a lifelong, challenging and exciting career, teaching may be for you.

By incorporating current trends and issues into our teaching, you will be prepared as best as possible for the classroom. As a part of our distinctive and ambitious curriculum you will understand and apply your knowledge of:

  • Enquiry Based Learning
  • Thinking Geographically
  • Fieldwork & geographical Skills
  • Powerful Knowledge
  • Education for Sustainable Development

Your subject knowledge workshops will support you to expand your Geography knowledge and develop a teaching toolkit to support effective learning which develops curiosity about the world amongst students. You will master skills to teach GIS using ArcGIS online with Esri UK, alongside opportunities to explore fieldwork outside the classroom. You will cover a broad range of human and physical geographical themes, such as landforms and processes, place and identity, sustainable futures, globalisation and development, weather and climate. You will consider the changing geography curriculum and contemporary issues such as decolonising the geography curriculum. You will also be encouraged to reflect on up-to-date research on the latest pedagogy, making critical evaluations and considering how it might influence your ongoing practice.

Emphasis is placed on strategies such as learning through enquiry, fieldwork, and Education for Sustainable Development (EfS) to ensure you are well prepared to successfully teach and motivate pupils in the contemporary classroom. You will explore all areas of the Geography National Curriculum, considering transitions between phases. You will be encouraged and guided to become confident with designing your own ambitious curriculum to prepare students for the changing world in which we live.

You’ll be supported by a range of experienced professionals, both during school placements and by academic staff at the university. The programme aims to help you become an engaging and effective teacher within the 11–16 age range, providing the input and opportunities that could enable you to teach post-16. Successfully completing this PGCE course will enable you to teach at Secondary age, as well as Primary and A Level.

We were founded as a teaching college 175 years ago, and following the introduction of new quality requirements, our Initial Teacher Training (ITT) courses leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), have successfully achieved reaccreditation in 2022 by the Department of Education.

Our ITT courses have also recently been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, with inspectors highlighting their ‘unique’ emphasis on sustainability and the University’s strong partnership with schools.

A brand-new campus

It’s planned that this course will be taught at UoG’s new campus in Gloucester city centre from September 2025. This provides time to ensure a smooth transition and familiarisation with the new facilities for all.

The vibrant campus will be at the heart of the regeneration of Gloucester city centre. It will bring an iconic building back to life as a modern centre for teaching, learning and community partnerships, through placements, research and outreach activity, and provide cutting-edge facilities for your course.

Study style

During the Developing Phase of the curriculum, trainees will attend centre-based lectures and be introduced to Curriculum Key Themes;

  • Behaviour Management and High Expectations
  • Subject Knowledge and Curriculum Design
  • Adaptive Practice and Inclusion
  • Children’s Learning, Classroom Practice
  • Assessment
  • Professional and Ethical Practice.

During School Experience 1, trainees will be immersed in Adaptive Practice and Inclusion in a special school setting. During School Experience 2, trainees will start to apply their knowledge from the centre-based taught programme. During school-based training, trainees will revisit specific Curriculum Key Themes and attend centre-based training once a week.

During the Broadening Phase, trainees will build upon and extend the knowledge, skills and experience from School Experience 1 and 2 and the centre-based taught programme. During the Broadening Phase, trainees will be expected to revisit and broaden their knowledge and practice of the 5 curriculum areas and Curriculum Key Themes introduced at the Developing Phase, and will engage with new Curriculum Key Themes, such as:

  • Curriculum Design
  • Subject Knowledge
  • Sustainability
  • Employability
  • Research Informed Practice

During this phase of the curriculum, trainees will be supported to take on wider responsibilities as a part of the role of a trainee teacher and have opportunities to discuss, analyse and observe expert colleagues to support their progression through the Broadening Phase. Trainees will broaden their knowledge and experience of the primary phase, decolonising the curriculum, sustainability for education and other contemporary issues in education.

During the Enhancing Phase, trainees will enhance and extend the knowledge, skills and experience gained during School Experience 2 and the centre-based taught programme. During the Enhancing Phase, trainees will be expected to revisit and extend their knowledge and practice of the 5 curriculum areas:

  • Behaviour Management
  • Pedagogy
  • Curriculum
  • Assessment
  • Professional Behaviours

During this phase trainees will plan and deliver an enhancement project such as ‘Primary Sustainability Project’ which will promote a love of learning and intellectual curiosity. Trainees will enhance their knowledge across the curriculum and demonstrate their ability to be:

Graduate Ambassadors of Education

Leaders of Learning

Outstanding Teachers

Subject Experts

At the end of the secondary programme, our highly employable trainees will be able to further enhance their professional development and draw upon their essential ECT Toolkit gained during the course.

What we offer

  • Subject specialist input across all areas of your training.
  • Smaller group sizes to allow for more individual support both during the taught content and while on placement.
  • Opportunities to be involved in cross-curricular activities with other subject strands e.g. Mathematics and History.
  • Links to Esri UK, including taught sessions using ArcGIS with Esri Schools.
  • Links to the Field Studies Council.
  • Opportunities to develop mathematical skills for Geography with the Advanced Mathematics Support Program including taught sessions on teaching Level 3 Core Maths, and access to ongoing CPD opportunities.
  • Opportunities to gain a deep understanding of subject knowledge content and subject pedagogies across the age phases including primary and post 16.

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Entry requirements

    • An honours degree, normally at 2.2 or above (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.

      If you do not hold a 2.2 or above, we may be able to consider your application but will require additional information.

      If you do not hold a degree in a relevant subject we will be able to consider your application if you have other qualifications, such as A Levels or postgraduate qualifications in the subject.

    • GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above, or an equivalent qualification.

      If you don’t have a traditional GCSE, get in touch with our admissions team who will be able to advise you.

    • If you are offered a place on the programme you will be required to complete a health declaration, which will be assessed by the University Doctor.

    • The University of Gloucestershire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all our trainees to share this commitment.

      If you are offered a place it will be subject to:

      • Satisfactory Safeguarding checks including the receipt of a ‘satisfactory’ Enhanced DBS return including children’s barred list information
      • Satisfactory completion of suitability form
      • Verification of two references
      • Satisfactory Certificate of Good conduct, where applicable, for those who have lived or worked abroad

Course modules

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Fees and costs

You're viewing fees for the course option. Choose a different course option to see corresponding course fees.

A bursary of £25,000 is available for trainees studying on this course in 2023 and 2024. To find out more, including other bursaries available, please visit please visit the Gov.uk website.

Students usually support themselves through a postgraduate loan, private savings, family support or sponsorship from an employer. For advice and guidance on your funding options, contact the Money Advice team at moneyadvice@glos.ac.uk or call 01242 714535.

UoG graduates receive 15% off postgraduate tuition fees. Terms apply.

Start date Location Course code Fee (UK)
Fee per year
Fee (international)
Fee per year
Aug 2024 Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham 3DMH £9,250 £16,600
Sep 2025 City Campus, Gloucester 3DMH TBC TBC

Ready to apply?

UoG Career promise

At UoG we create a climate for bravery and growth. We instil confidence in all our students, so you can graduate career-ready and meet your ambitions.

96% of our graduates are in work or further study*, but if you’re not in a job 6 months after graduating we’ll guarantee you 6 months of free support, followed by the offer of a paid internship to kickstart your career – plus we’ll commit to lifetime career coaching. Eligibility conditions apply**

Discover our promises

Choose from eight subject specialisms

You can potentially combine Physical Education with Mathematics, English, History, Geography and a Science (subject to DfE approval) – however a minimum grade C in A Level for the EBacc subjects is required in addition to the general PGCE entry requirements. Although you’ll be equipped to teach the above subjects, the award gained will be in Physical Education. You’ll have weekly subject sessions with your Subject Leader throughout the programme.

Experience teaching in a minimum of two schools

Through our long-established networks, we can offer you a wide variety of placement opportunities. You’ll spend 26 weeks in at least two schools where you’ll receive valuable support from experienced, dedicated teachers.

Push your possible with a master’s degree

Increase your pay potential, specialise in a subject you love, or pursue your passion and switch careers.

UoG alumni can benefit from a postgraduate scholarship discount of 15% off tuition fees.

Discover the benefits of studying a master’s degree.

Education for sustainability - Green Gown Award nomination

Our ambitious curriculum includes Education for Sustainability – this is an aspect of our curriculum we champion and celebrate.

Our trainers were recently involved in a ChangeMakers Summit that was delivered to 120 young people from the Cheltenham Education Partnership, where they engaged in a range of workshops focusing on sustainability. The project was nominated for a UK Green Gown Award.

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