PGCE - Secondary (11-16 years) Modern Foreign Languages with QTS

How you will learn

As a student at the University of Cumbria, you are part of an inclusive learning community that recognises diversity. You will have opportunities to learn by interacting with others in a collegiate, facilitative and dynamic learning environment. Teaching, assessment and student support will allow equal and equitable opportunities for you to optimise your potential and develop autonomy. We seek to create a stimulating and innovative community of learning, whether encountered on campus or at a distance, on placement or in the workplace. Facilitated by our expert practitioner staff, you will experience a learning environment that is well equipped, flexible, and stimulating.

THE SECONDARY PGCE CURRICULUM OVERVIEW.

During your studies, you will follow our Secondary PGCE Curriculum. The curriculum has 6 themes:

• Behaviour
• Curriculum
• Pedagogy
• Assessment
• Professional Behaviours
• Challenging Disadvantage.

The first 5 themes are informed by and align with the 5 themes of the Core Content Framework (CCF), a Department for Education (DfE) publication outlining the minimum entitlement that you can expect from your Initial Teacher Education (ITE) course. These 5 themes are linked to the 8 Teachers’ Standards that you must meet by the end of your course.

Access Core Content Framework

The latter theme, Challenging Disadvantage, is a key focus for the Institute of Education at the University of Cumbria, allowing you to learn from an ambitious PGCE Curriculum that goes above and beyond.

Our PGCE Curriculum is delivered through taught sessions that include students from all PGCE subjects. These occur alongside Pedagogy for Learning (PfL) sessions where you will be taught in specific subject groups led by expert tutors. These sessions will equal twelve full days of training.

The training and skills you learn throughout the generic and PfL sessions are known as Learn That and you will put them into practice during a school placement, known as Learn How To. 

How you will be assessed

Assessment loosely follows two forms; summative and formative. ‘Summative Assessment’, involves making some sort of judgement on your work that is recorded, such as essay writing. 'Formative assessment', is carefully crafted feedback that does not count towards your final grade but helps you develop your professional learning.

Progression

The programme also recognises that gaining a PGCE and achieving QTS is not the end of your professional learning journey. It is with this in mind that the contributory modules have been planned to allow you to undertake a seamless transition to a University of Cumbria MA in education. The learning outcomes of the modules have been mapped to the learning outcomes of the MA and the credits that you accrue on the PGCE are recognised as part of the MA.

Tuition Fees

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

Funding

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us.

As when you study for an undergraduate degree, on a PGCE programme most applicants are eligible for student finance support provided by the UK government. This support includes a loan which covers all of your tuition fee, as well as a maintenance loan, which takes into account your personal situation to provide the support you need to live comfortably whilst on your course.

If you train to teach in a shortage subject - Chemistry, Computing, Maths or Physics - you could be eligible for up to £28,000 over the course of your training period. Specialising in Languages, Geography, or Biology could entitle you to £25,000, and English, Music, and Art and Design provides around £10, 000 in tax-free bursary.

In Languages and Physics, trainees starting courses in the academic year 2024/25 will not need to be eligible for student finance to be eligible for a bursary or scholarship. In all other subjects, trainees are only eligible for a bursary or scholarship if they are entitled to support under the student finance criteria.

Scholarships also come with a range of additional benefits, including membership to a relevant professional body, subject specialist events and webinars, subject specialist mentors and coaching, access to classroom resources and subject specialist networks, and continuing professional development (CPD) and networking events during your ITT year.

For more information click here.

Additional Costs