The Faculty of Education has a longstanding national reputation for providing high-calibre initial teacher training with over 20 Secondary specialisms available. We have a well established partnership with over 800 secondary schools and colleges across the North West region and beyond.
Our PGCE Social Science is aimed at trainees wishing to teach one or more of the social sciences (sociology, psychology, politics and law) in secondary schools and/or post-16 colleges. We also offer a PGCE Psychology.
Trainees will be given the opportunity to study and teach areas of the Social Sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Politics, Law, Health and Social Care, Citizenship and PSHE) at Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. Trainees may gain some experience of teaching the humanities (RE, Geography and History) subjects at Key Stage 3 and 4. Social Science subjects are exceptionally popular choices at GCSE, 'A' level, IB and BTEC levels.
This course is available via University led and School Direct routes.
We also offer an Assessment-Only route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) aimed at experienced, but unqualified graduate teachers, wishing to complete a formal qualification.
-Opportunity to apply for enrichment experience overseas
-State-of-the-art teaching facilities at our Brooks Building in Manchester
-Experience in a diverse range of schools and colleges
-Choice of University led, School Direct or Assessment Only routes to Qualified Teacher Status
-Course includes 60 Masters Level credits, or one third of a Masters degree
-Access to NQT alumni support in your first year of teaching
-Close links with our Educational and Social Research Institute
You will examine the nature of academic and vocational provision within the social sciences in schools and colleges and become familiar with teaching resources, including ICT and practice a variety of classroom skills at university and in schools and colleges.
The subject strand is at the core of these courses, representing approximately 90% of the total course time, both in school and in the university. This strand deals with both methodology and with the educational theory relevant to teaching the social science subjects.
Also considered are the role of language in teaching, teaching pupils with special educational needs and pupils with English as an additional language (EAL) and teaching classes with a wide range of ability.
We aim to develop analytical, successful and enthusiastic beginning teachers who are fully aware of the excitement and challenges which lie ahead and who can work effectively in a variety of educational settings.
The Citizenship PGCE offers students the opportunity to be trained at the leading edge of citizenship education for the 11–16 age range, becoming one of the next generation of specialist teachers of Citizenship and associated subjects such as Government and Politics, Humanities, Social Sciences, Law and PSHE.
You will learn how to really engage students in Citizenship lessons, how to plan for compelling learning in Citizenship, how to support and challenge students to make maximal progress, how to build strong class boundaries and relationships, how to develop and utilise specialist subject knowledge, and how to plan memorable active Citizenship projects.
Students undertake two level 7 (Master’s-level) modules of 30 credits each, totaling 60 credits. These can be carried forward onto full Master’s programmes at the IOE.
The Secondary PGCE consists of three core modules: two Master’s-level (level 7) modules, which are assessed through written assignments, and the Professional Practice module, which is assessed by the observation of practical teaching in placement schools.
Completion of the Professional Practice module and the two level 7 (Master’s level) modules (60 credits) will result in the award of a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE). Completion of the Professional Practice module and one or two level 6 (undergraduate/Bachelor’s level) modules, will lead to the Professional Graduate Certificate of Education (PgCE).
Core modules
Optional modules
Placement
You will spend most of your time (120 days) in schools, working with Citizenship mentors who support you through your two school placements. We are fortunate to have an exceptionally strong choice of schools with whom we work, with many outstanding mentors and strong citizenship departments. The Professional Practice module is assessed through these placements, associated tasks and a portfolio.
Teaching and learning
The Secondary PGCE full-time route is delivered via keynote lectures, subject lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials and directed study days at the Institute of Education as well as time spent in placement schools or colleges. Assessment is by practical teaching, assignments and portfolio tasks.
Further information on modules and programme structure is available on the department website: PGCE Citizenship
Bursaries are available for some subject programmes to students who meet the eligibility criteria. To find out what funding may be available to you, please visit the Department for Education funding page.
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the UCL Scholarships and Funding website.
Graduates of this programme are currently working across a broad range of areas. Most graduate to become teachers of Citizenship and related subjects, such as RE, Politics, Humanities, Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy, PHSE, Health and Social Care, Media Studies and Law. Graduates in this area can also be found working as education officers for charities and museums, local authority education advisers and as researchers and writers. The upward career trajectory within schools is often rapid for Citizenship graduates, with many working as heads of department, heads of faculty, heads of year or as part of schools’ senior leadership teams.
Employability
Graduates of the Secondary PGCE programme are highly employable and sought after by schools and colleges in London and beyond. Almost all graduates secure their first teaching post by the time they finish the PGCE programme. Graduates of the programme also have great career prospects, with many becoming Head of Department or a Head of Year within 2-5 years, often acting, in their schools, as mentors to new PGCE student teachers. Many of our graduates become senior teachers (such as Assistant Headteachers or Head of a Faculty) in 5-8 years of graduating, and some are now Headteachers. Others have developed their careers as subject specialist teachers and educators, both becoming lead teachers in the classroom and researching, writing and advising other teachers themselves. The Secondary PGCE Programme is a springboard into a rewarding career, not just as a skilled teacher, but as an educational leader.
The programme is led by an Ofsted outstanding-rated Citizenship teacher and we partner with some of the very best schools for Citizenship in the country, with many mentors previous alumni of the Citizenship PGCE.
Our partner schools guarantee at least 50% of students’ teaching timetables is Citizenship and GCSE Citizenship Studies features in one or both placement schools. Most students will also gain experience of teaching at A level.
We train teachers in a dynamic, relevant way using current affairs, controversial issues and community action – a pedagogy which can be successfully applied to the range of subjects graduates can go on to teach.
Accreditation:
Students who successfully complete this programme will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
School Direct (Tuition Fee) is a route into teaching at both primary and secondary levels. Trainees join other student teachers on the established Citizenship PGCE programme at the UCL Institute of Education (IOE), whilst undertaking their teaching experience at their host school or alliance.
You will learn how to really engage students in Citizenship lessons, how to plan for compelling learning in Citizenship, how to support and challenge students to make maximal progress, how to build strong class boundaries and relationships, how to develop and utilize specialist subject knowledge, and how to plan memorable active Citizenship projects.
Students undertake two Master’s-level (level 7) modules of 30 credits each, totaling 60 credits. These can be carried forward onto full Master’s programmes at the IOE.
The Secondary PGCE consists of three core modules: two Master’s-level modules, which are assessed through written assignments, and the Professional Practice module, which is assessed by the observation of practical teaching in placement schools.
Completion of the Professional Practice module and the two level 7 (Master’s level) modules (60 credits) will result in the award of a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE). Completion of the Professional Practice module and one or two level 6 (undergraduate/Bachelor’s level) modules, will lead to the Professional Graduate Certificate of Education (PgCE).
Core modules
Optional modules
Placement
You will spend most of your time (120 days) in schools, working with Citizenship mentors who support you through your school placements. The Professional Practice module is assessed through these placements, associated tasks and a portfolio.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered via keynote lectures, subject lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials and directed study days at the IOE, as well as time spent in placement at the host school or alliance. Assessment is by the observation of practical teaching, assignments and a portfolio (which links into continuing professional development in the induction year).
Further information on modules and programme structure is available on the department website: School Direct (Tuition Fee): Citizenship
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the UCL Scholarships and Funding website.
Graduates of this programme are currently working across a broad range of areas. Most graduate to become teachers of Citizenship and related subjects, such as RE, Politics, Humanities, Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy, PHSE, Health and Social Care, Media Studies and Law. Graduates in this area can also be found working as education officers for charities and museums, local authority education advisers and as researchers and writers. The upward career trajectory within schools is often rapid for Citizenship graduates, with many working as heads of department, heads of faculty, heads of year or as part of schools’ senior leadership teams.
Employability
Graduates of the Secondary PGCE programme are highly employable and sought after by schools and colleges in London and beyond. Almost all graduates secure their first teaching post by the time they finish the PGCE programme. Graduates of the programme also have great career prospects, with many becoming Head of Department or a Head of Year within 2-5 years, often acting, in their schools, as mentors to new PGCE student teachers. Many of our graduates become senior teachers (such as Assistant Headteachers or Head of a Faculty) in 5-8 years of graduating, and some are now Headteachers. Others have developed their careers as subject specialist teachers and educators, both becoming lead teachers in the classroom and researching, writing and advising other teachers themselves. The Secondary PGCE Programme is a springboard into a rewarding career, not just as a skilled teacher, but as an educational leader.
We train teachers in a dynamic, relevant way using current affairs, controversial issues and community action – a pedagogy which can be successfully applied to the range of subjects graduates can go on to teach.
The Citizenship PGCE offers students the opportunity to be trained at the leading edge of Citizenship education for the 11-16 (and 16-18) age range, and become one of the next generation of specialist teachers of Citizenship and associated subjects such as Government and Politics, Humanities, Social Sciences, Law and PSHE. We train teachers in a dynamic, relevant way, using current affairs, controversial issues and community action – a pedagogy which can be successfully applied to the range of subjects graduates can go on to teach.
Our course is led by an OFSTED outstanding-rated Citizenship teacher and we partner with some of the very best schools for Citizenship in the country, with many mentors previous alumni of the Citizenship PGCE.
Our partner schools guarantee at least 50% of students’ teaching timetables is Citizenship and GCSE Citizenship Studies features in one or both placement schools. Most students will also gain experience of teaching at A-level.
Accreditation:
This route leads to the award of QTS (Qualified Teacher Status).
