Overview
- Build on your existing sports experience and learn the theoretical and practical approaches to teaching through Key Stages 3-5 in the varied classroom situations you will encounter
- 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.
Applicants will normally be expected to have a sport-related degree. Typically, successful applicants have a 2.1 degree or above but applicants with a 2:2 and relevant experience will also be considered.
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.
Successful applicants are also expected to successfully complete a One-Day Emergency First Aid at Work Certificate (or equivalent) before the commencement of the PGCE year
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.
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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 learn to teach pupils about fitness and health, including for BTEC, GCSE and A-level courses. You will explore a wide variety of physical activities drawn from the National Curriculum for PE (ie athletics, dance, games, gymnastics, swimming and outdoor and adventurous activities) and learn how to adapt your teaching for diverse learners. Drawing on recent research evidence, you will develop the fundamentals of teaching including behaviour management, assessment, curriculum planning, adaptive and inclusive teaching and working with the school community and parents. We’ll support you to become a reflective and confident teacher.
While on placements, you will have the opportunity to put your learning into practice whilst being supported by a Lead Mentor who provides expert subject-specific feedback and support, and your Reflective Mentor who supports you in developing your reflective and critical thinking about your own teaching and learning.
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.
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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.
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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 PE in the secondary school, and to enable them to achieve QTS. In addition, the module seeks to nurture reflective and autonomous professional practitioners who are able to identify strengths and areas for development in their subject knowledge and pedagogy, through evaluating current professional practice in relationship to developments in research and curriculum theory.
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Will Katene
Senior Lecturer in Physical Education / Subject Lead Secondary PGCE Physical Education
Will Katene
Senior Lecturer in Physical Education / Subject Lead Secondary PGCE Physical Education
Will has extensive experience in teaching Physical Education (PE) to young people at secondary school level in New Zealand and the UK and lecturing in PE, Sport Sciences and Education to students at undergraduate and postgraduate level in the UK. Will’s research interests are principally in the field of PE Initial Teacher Education, with a particular focus on primary and secondary student teachers’ subject knowledge.
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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 and learning
Supported by a team of highly-qualified and experienced university and school-based tutors, the PE course places considerable importance on trainees collaboratively planning, teaching and reflecting critically on their teaching both in university and in schools. The PE course includes university-taught lectures, practical/workshop-based sessions, directed study tasks, assignments and school experience to prepare traine.es to inform, inspire and engage the diverse needs of young people in the 21st century and withstand the demands of the modern-day PE teacher.
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
During placements, Exeter trainees benefit from the focused support of two School-based Tutors: a Lead Mentor who works as an expert partner, and a Reflective Mentor who develops and challenges your thinking about teaching in ways that can be used to enhance performance.
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.
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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.
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