Study Secondary Teaching leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) PGCE Full-time at Kingston University London. Want to know more about this course? Read more on Coursefindr.

Kingston University's PGCE Science course is the perfect platform for you to kickstart your teaching career.

Throughout our Science PGCE course, you will immerse yourself in topics such as genetics and interdependence, chemical kinetics and organic chemistry, and mechanics and energy. All while gaining an understanding of the curriculum requirements for teaching Biology, Physics or Chemistry to 11-16 year-olds, including GCSEs. As You will expand your expertise and boost your career prospects.

You will develop your ability to teach topical and complex conceptual issues with confidence. This understanding will be enhanced by visits to the Science and Natural History Museums. You will also work with organisations like the Association for Science Education (ASE), the Institute of Biology, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the Institute of Physics.

You will be trained by leading practitioners in the area who will support your emergence as a highly effective, research-engaged teacher. Indeed, many of our staff are research active. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.

You will have the chance to put your learning into practice at Kingston University's partnership schools. These schools, alongside the University, will provide the personalised support you need to achieve your best and go on to a successful and fulfilling career in secondary education.

The rest of the time will be spent being taught by highly experienced professionals who will support your emergence as a highly effective, research-engaged teacher.

The Department of Education provides the latest in classroom technology to ensure you embark on your work experience with the utmost confidence.

We also have a number of teaching rooms set up to replicate classrooms. Each classroom is subject based. For example, there is an art room and science lab. All teaching rooms are equipped with the facilities you will need to practise your lessons before taking them into school.

Entry Requirements For This Course

The typical offer for this course is a 2:2 or above honours degree in a related subject (at least 50% of the degree content needs to be relevant to your subject specialism).

You will also need GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 or above (C or above for examinations taken prior to 2017). If you do not meet the GCSE requirements in any of these subjects, we are happy for you to take your tests externally (via Equivalency Testing or A*Star Equivalency).

Please note: you should apply for this course through the UK Department for Education portal, here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training.

Previous overseas teaching qualifications and experience:

Please view the different routes to QTS for teachers and those with teaching experience from outside the UK.

If you are applying with an existing overseas teaching qualification, you may already be eligible to apply directly for QTS from the government.

If you do not meet the government requirements for QTS and have UK teaching experience, you may be able to apply to our assessment only route leading to QTS.

All overseas qualifications must be accompanied by NARIC equivalence.

Additional requirements for Science Secondary Teaching PGCE

If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend an online interview via Microsoft Teams.

The interview process is designed to enable us to assess your suitability to train to teach. You will be assessed against the five core areas of the Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (DfE, 2024). These are: behaviour management, pedagogy, curriculum, assessment and professional behaviours.

If you are offered a place on a teaching training course, we recommend you arrange to get experience in a school with children of relevant age. This way, you'll begin to become familiar with the demands and expectations of teaching.

Safeguarding information

Kingston University, Department of Education, is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. As such, we implement safer recruitment procedures.

Candidates who are invited to interview will be required to complete a ‘breaks in employment' form and give relevant details of any gaps in employment or study. This form must be completed by 9am on the day before the scheduled interview. If you do have any gaps, these will be discussed in the interview. NOTE: If the form is not completed by the deadline, the interview may be subject to cancellation.

Candidates invited to interview will also be asked to complete a safeguarding declaration.

All candidates who are offered a place will be required to have a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal records check, in Child Workforce. This will be as a condition of acceptance to their chosen course. We will also carry out a check of the prohibition from teaching list upon programme enrolment.

All candidates who are offered a place, and have lived or worked outside the UK for a period of 3 months or longer (in the last 5 years), will be asked to apply for a Certificate of Good Conduct in addition to their DBS check.

All candidates who are offered a place on a PGCE programme will be required to provide references from two professional individuals.

As part of our due diligence process, we may also carry out an online search for candidates offered a place on the course which may affect the status of the original offer.