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PGCE in Secondary Education Social Science

Why choose Herts?

  • 1st for Teacher Training (Daily Mail University Guide, 2025, subject level ranking)
  • 5th for Teacher Training (National Student Survey, 2024)
  • 10th for Education and Teaching in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, 2024)
  • "Good" rating (Ofsted, 2023). "The University of Hertfordshire ITT programme is thoroughly planned and carefully sequenced. This ensures that the curriculum is ambitious and provides trainees with the knowledge and skills to teach effectively"
  • Entry requirements and key information
    • Honours degree (2.2 or higher), awarded by a UK university
    • We require the degree to have a minimum 50% content of the subject in which the applicant is applying
    • GCSE English and mathematics at grade 4 or above

    GCSE equivalency tests from Equivalency Testing or A Star Equivalency will be accepted.  

    For equivalent overseas qualification to be accepted, applicants will be required to provide a statement of comparability from UK ENIC.  

    An interview is required as part of the application process. If shortlisted for interview, you will be given guidance on how to prepare. 

    As a provider of Initial Teacher Training, we enact safer recruitment practices and undertake mandatory checks to ensure that applicants are suitable to work with children. Any offers will be subject to these requirements being met. 

    Please email ITE@herts.ac.uk for further details on any requirement.  

    UCAS code
  • 38C7

    • Institution code

    		 H36

    School of study

    		 School of Education

    Course length
  • Full Time, 1 Years
    		•

    Location
  • University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
    		•
  • Employability

    Careers

    On successful completion of your course, you will be awarded both Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a PGCE. This enables you to secure your first teaching job as an Early Career Teacher (ECT). 

    Work placement

    School experience is at the heart of the programme and during the thirty-six week programme you spend twenty-four weeks in school, and the rest of the time on campus. The school experience is made up of a number of serial day placements, including visits to a primary school and a special school and two block placements in partner secondary schools.

Professional Accreditations

Qualified Teacher Status

About the course

This course is available to UK/EU students only.

This Masters level professional training programme introduces you to the requirements for teaching social science to the 11-16 age range and leads to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status. Where appropriate, opportunities to experience post 16 provision will be available.

You will be introduced to the principles and theories of secondary teaching through both subject studies and a developing professional practice course. Training is undertaken in partnership with local secondary schools.

We are looking to select trainees who:

  • have the passion, commitment and enthusiasm to teach in secondary schools
  • are resilient and able to work under pressure
  • have good subject knowledge to train to teach in the area they are interested in

Why choose this course?

What makes us unique?

Our teacher training programme is distinguished by its strong emphasis on subject-specific expertise. We understand that learning to teach your subject specialism requires a unique skillset that goes beyond general teaching principles. That’s why, rather than relying solely on generic teacher training lectures, we provide over 70 hours of specialised subject training, led by experts in your field. This dedicated focus ensures that you develop the nuanced skills needed to teach your subject effectively and make a distinctive impact in the classroom. Our high standards and consistently positive Ofsted inspections ensure that local schools and employers recognise the quality of our training, translating to exceptionally high employability for our graduates.

Support and collaboration for your success

The strength of our PGCE secondary programme lies in its supportive, collaborative environment. Our high levels of pastoral care and strong school partnerships are essential to ensuring that our trainees succeed. Through these partnerships, you’ll gain practical experience, enhance your subject knowledge, and deepen your conceptual understanding of effective teaching practices.

Pathway to a Master's degree

Our PGCE programme also provides a valuable academic advantage, awarding 60 Master’s-level credits (equivalent to one-third of a Master’s degree). After completing your PGCE, you have the option to continue part-time toward a Master’s degree in Education.

Begin your teaching career with the University of Hertfordshire and join a community dedicated to your growth and excellence as an educator.

What will I study?

A wide range of teaching and learning methods are used. Tutor led sessions will include lectures, seminars and workshops, where active participation is encouraged. Twenty-four weeks of the programme are spent in local partnerships schools. This enables you to benefit from the knowledge and expertise of a team of practising teachers who lead key sessions as well as support you in your school-based training where you develop your classroom expertise.

  • Level 6
    ModuleCreditsCompulsory/optional
    School-based training 130 CreditsCompulsory
    School-based training 230 CreditsCompulsory
    Professional learning and development30 CreditsOptional
    Subject and curriculum knowledge30 CreditsOptional
  • Level 7
    ModuleCreditsCompulsory/optional
    Professional learning and development30 CreditsCompulsory
    Social sciences subject and curriculum knowledge30 CreditsCompulsory

    • Further course information

    Course fact sheets
    PGCE Secondary (Social Sciences) Download
    PGCE Secondary Education Download
    Programme specifications
    PGCE Secondary (Social Sciences) Download
    PGCE in Education (Secondary) Download
    Additional information

    Sandwich placement or study abroad year

    n/a

    Applications open to international and EU students

    		 No

    Student experience

    You’ll have a subject tutor and a personal tutor to guide you through your course, all the way to graduation. Your personal tutor can support with your well-being and sense of belonging, helping you to build effective relationships. They can clarify academic expectations and support your understanding assessment and feedback. Additionally, they can assist with your personal and professional development, identifying goals and helping you to engage with the university and wider contexts.

    In your school placement you will train within one of our partnership schools. You’ll work closely with a Teacher Mentor within and beyond the classroom as you develop your confidence and competence to be an effective classroom practitioner. Additional guidance and support will also be available from a professional school-based lead and from a representative of the university who will undertake visits to quality assure the training received.

    The Herts Academic Skills (HAS) is a central team in the University. Their aim is to help make sure that you have all the opportunities you need to develop your academic skills and to reach your academic goals. The team can support you in different ways, with one-to one tutorials, drop-in sessions and workshops, ensuring that you reach your potential.

    At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

    Find out about how we support our students

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