Overview
- Designed for engineering and material science graduates who wish to train as a science teacher specialising in Physics alongside a grounding in Chemistry and Biology to at least Key Stage 3. If your degree is not engineering or a related subject, please apply to our Physics course.
- Develop your confidence, competence and independence as a teacher with the unique Exeter Model of Initial Teacher Education which progressively increases your school-based teaching over three terms
- You will join a supportive community of trainees and teachers who are passionate about education and research and will support you during your course and beyond
- Work as a classroom teacher within two schools, where you will be supported by expert mentors and University tutors
- Achieving the PGCE provides 60 M-level credits alongside your Qualified Teacher Status. You can continue your studies following the PGCE and work towards a Masters in Education
100% of our Education research has internationally excellent impact
Top 125 in the world for Education
Rated Ofsted outstanding in all areas
Diverse placement opportunities across the region
Entry requirements
PGCE students must have an honours degree and GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade C/4 or equivalent. A satisfactory medical assessment and DBS enhanced check are also requirements for entry to this programme.
Successful applicants will have a 2:2 degree or above in engineering or material science or a relevant subject area.
For applicants without the required GCSE pass at grade C/grade 4, we accept a Grade 4 pass in the English and Mathematics equivalency tests offered by A Star Equivalency and equivalencytesting.com (please do contact the PGCE Admissions team for further guidance before signing up for an equivalency test). See full list of accepted English/Maths equivalent qualifications.
We want all potentially excellent teachers to have the opportunity to train. If your qualification profile does not fit the norm, please do contact us.
Entry requirements for international students
Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.
Read more
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile . Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
A practical and interactive course, you will explore the key concepts of Physics and how to apply this knowledge to design practicals, demonstrations and explanations to address pupils’ misconceptions and to make the subject exciting and accessible. You’ll also develop the fundamentals of teaching such as behaviour management, assessment, lesson planning, inclusive teaching, and working with the school community and parents. We’ll support you to become a reflective and confident teacher who is able to assess your own achievements and professional development requirements.
During placement, you will have the opportunity to put the skills learned into practice whilst being fully supported by your Lead Mentor who will work as an expert partner and your Reflective Mentor who challenges your thinking about teaching in ways that can be used to enhance your performance.
The programme has three fully integrated components:
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
The Professional Studies component introduces you to key educational ideas and principles within a range of educational contexts. The module is followed throughout the year with both University and school-based elements and is concerned with classroom issues, whole school issues and the role of education in the wider society.
Read more.
Central to school-based work is the development of your ability to meet the standards of professional competence which trainees must demonstrate in order to meet national standards for the award of QTS.
Read more.
The principal aims of the module are to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the background issues and practice of the current teaching of Science and Physics in the secondary school, in order to meet national standards for the award of QTS.
Read more.
Whilst taking this module you will examine a range of approaches to the teaching of Physics across Key Stages 3 – 5 as well as the theory that underpins this practice. You will also learn about teaching and learning secondary science more generally, and about approaches used to teach all areas of science at key stage 3. To take this module, you will normally need to possess an upper second class or first class Honours degree in Engineering or in a related subject which has a strong physics element, and an A-level in physics. Ideally you will also possess an A level in at least one other science subject.
Read more.
Luke Graham
Lecturer in Education / PGCE Secondary Science with Biology Subject Lead
Dr Lindsay Hetherington
Associate Professor in Science Education / Head of Initial Teacher Education
Luke Graham
Lecturer in Education / PGCE Secondary Science with Biology Subject Lead
Luke has spent over 20 years teaching in schools and colleges. He has been a science teacher, head of department, deputy head and appointed member of the Teacher Regulation Agency in that time. Luke has worked on the PGCE programme since 2012. His research is in the impact of social disadvantage on learners. He is an associate for the exam board AQA, and a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching.
Profile page
Dr Lindsay Hetherington
Associate Professor in Science Education / Head of Initial Teacher Education
Lindsay is an Associate Professor in Science Education and former Secondary School Chemistry Teacher. I believe that science is fundamentally concerned with questioning and experimentation with the world. This core belief drives my work as both a researcher and teacher.
Profile page
Fees
2023/24 entry
- UK: £9,250 full-time
- International: £21,500 full-time
A variety of attractive financial support packages are available. Find out more.
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has over £2.5 million in scholarships available for students applying to study with us in 2023 - including our Global Excellence Scholarships* for international fee paying students and financial support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.
* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Find out more about tuition fees and scholarships
Teaching and research
Timetable overview
Our unique approach to Initial Teacher Education is praised by Ofsted and provides fantastic opportunities for trainees to achieve through our highly original Exeter Model of Initial Teacher Education. The programme runs over three terms and provides a carefully phased development of trainees’ independence as teachers. You will be assessed through University and school-based assignments; there are no formal exams.
Term 1 |
Term 1 begins with two weeks of school experience in which trainees are supported and guided to gain insights into school practices which they will use in the weeks following. This leads into the University based course which focuses on professional development, specialist subject knowledge, pedagogy and teaching skills. Two weeks of this term will be spent in your first placement school as part of the Beginning Practice phase of your training. |
Term 2 |
Term 2 is spent in your first school placement with three seminar days held at the University. At the end of the term, you visit your second school placement for a short induction period. |
Term 3 |
Term 3 is spent in your second school placement with two seminar days held at the University. |
Teaching
During the campus-based elements of the course you will learn through a range of in-person seminars, online learning activities and lab-based workshops designed to develop your subject knowledge and understanding of how to teach all science subjects to age 16 and your specialist subject at post-16 level.
Vibrant community
By learning on campus for most of the first term you have access to the tools needed to rapidly build professional knowledge and confidence ready for your work in school placements. You also benefit from the opportunity to build friendships and become part of a community of trainees and teachers who are passionate about education and will support you during your course and beyond. We carry out a detailed skills audit with every trainee so we understand your development needs and can personalise elements of training to strengthen the skills you need to excel as a teacher.
Facilities and support
The Science PGCE is primarily taught in two laboratories that also open into a single large teaching space. These labs are well-equipped and designed to be similar to school laboratories, providing an excellent space in which to learn to teach whilst on campus and supported by a dedicated PGCE science technician.
Campus-based modules are taught at the School of Education at the St Luke’s Campus in Exeter, which offers an excellent range of specialist facilities and the UK’s largest Education library.
Research-led teaching
All our tutors have real-world experience as teachers. They also lead and innovate: our tutors have written textbooks for trainee teachers and school pupils, advised government, led subject networks and are active educational researchers.
The PGCE team’s current research interests lie in the areas of history and literacy, the impact that trainee teachers’ subject knowledge has on pupils’ learning in the classroom and how to personalise learning effectively.
Read more
Careers
The PGCE provides excellent grounding for a long career within education, whether you aspire to become an outstanding classroom practitioner, school leader, or specialist in a specific area of education, the opportunities are broad.
Career support
Careers support including skills training, internships, jobs vacancies, employment fairs and other events is available through the Career Zone.
Read more