Teacher Training
Train to teach Physics with a Secondary PGCE at the University of Exeter. Gain qualified teacher status and 60 Masters-level credits through expert-led training. You will be part of a cohort of trainees all learning to teach Physics and working with a dedicated team of Science teaching experts. Our Physics teacher training is informed by the latest education research within the School of Education, giving you first-hand access to the latest research on classroom practice.
The course DfE Apply code is F3X1. The University of Exeter's institution code is E84.
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Alongside our general entry requirements for all Secondary PGCE applicants, there are subject-specific entry requirements for Physics specialism applicants.
Typically, successful applicants have a good A-level grade or equivalent in Physics and a 2:2 Honours degree or above in a relevant subject area. For applicants who need to develop their Physics subject knowledge to gain access onto a PGCE it is possible to take a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course. There are several options available which can be discussed at interview.
If you have a broad science background and aren’t sure which Science subject you should apply to, please contact Dr Luke Graham for an informal discussion.
A practical and interactive course, you will explore the aims of science teaching, school laboratory management and the use of ICT to support science teaching and learning. 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 will train as a science teacher specialising in teaching Key Stage 3-5 Physics, with a grounding in Chemistry and Biology to teach at least Key Stage 3.
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.
Our unique course structure based on the Exeter Model of Initial Teacher Education is praised by Ofsted and used across our subject areas. You will study a specialist Secondary Physics Subject Knowledge, Pedagogy, Research, and Practice module alongside this. The principal aim of this module is to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of the background issues and practice of the current teaching of Science and Physics in secondary schools. In addition, the module seeks to nurture you as a reflective and autonomous professional practitioner, able to identify strengths and areas for development in your subject knowledge and pedagogy, through evaluating current professional practice in relationship to developments in research and curriculum theory.
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