Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)

About the course

Our graduates make great teachers. It’s that simple. The Initial Teacher Education (ITE) course helps you develop an understanding of research, policies and practice relating to education in general and secondary education in particular. You’ll analyse and reflect on what you learn to connect research with the classroom.

We teach an approach to your work that will stay with you throughout your career. Our graduates are dedicated to lifelong learning, developing their professional practice, and using classroom-based research. You’ll learn everything the qualified teacher needs to know about planning, teaching, learning, assessing, policies and processes.

Routes offered

We offer a provider-led route plus School Direct with a choice of four different clusters of schools.

The routes are all quite similar, but the main differences between the provider-led and the School Direct routes are:

• You’ll have your two school placements in the schools within the cluster that you are attached to, rather than in any school across the partnership.
• The schools in your cluster will have a greater input into the PGDE programme throughout the year.
• There will be a strong possibility of securing employment within the cluster of schools that you are attached to, subject to availability and suitability.

Your career

We offer postgraduate courses that will launch your career in education or aid your continuing professional development.

Our graduates work in the UK and overseas in schools, universities, and local and national government. Some are teachers and lecturers. Others use their skills in policy development, education, administration, psychology and social work.

Disclosure and Barring Service

As this course leads to a professional qualification, student teachers will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure and Work Health Assessment.

About us

We value creative teaching that challenges inequalities in the education system. We believe in increasing opportunities for education, for everyone. Our research has a direct impact on educational theory, policy and practice. We’re supporting the development of children, families and learning communities through dedicated research centres.

You’ll learn from world-class academics such as Professor Tom Billington, Professor Elizabeth Wood and Professor Dan Goodley. Tom’s research in critical educational psychology has shifted the ways in which psychologists can and should view young people in ways that are more empowering for young people and their families. Elizabeth’s work is internationally renowned for her critical interventions into the lives of young children, illuminating the significance of play in raising the well-being of young children. Dan’s work on disability in education has been described as ground breaking.

Our research seminar programme gives you access to the latest findings, often before they’re published. The University’s library has online catalogues and databases, e-books and e-journals.

Structure, teaching and assessment

There are no written examinations on the PGDE. Instead, progress is monitored by a system of continuous assessment. This takes account of your achievements in the four main areas of the course:

• Curriculum Work
• School Experience
• Educational & Professional Studies
• Enrichment or Enhancement Experience

School based assessment takes place continuously through the course, whilst Masters assessment is through written assignments, presentation and portfolios. Details of assessment procedures are set out in course handbooks, and you can discuss them with your university tutors and your AUM and AUT in school.

Subjects covered

• English
• Geography
• History
• Mathematics
• Languages
• Science with Biology, Chemistry or Physics
• Physics with Maths

Age range

Secondary (11–19).

Teaching

You’ll learn through seminars, group work, tutorials, individual consultations, practical activities. You’ll spend 24 of the 36 weeks in schools.

Assessment

Continuous.

Masters credits

As well as a PGDE qualification and Qualified Teacher Status, you’ll gain 120 credits at Masters level if you successfully complete the course. You can put these towards study for an MA Applied Professional Studies in Education.

Visit the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) page on the University of Sheffield website for more details!