The Secondary PGCE with QTS at Swansea University will prepare you to meet the new Professional Teaching and Leadership Standards for Wales (at a level appropriate for Newly Qualified Teachers), enabling you to become an inspiring, competent and professionally aware teacher in Secondary Education.
You will create an electronic portfolio of evidence, known as the Professional Learning Passport (PLP), referencing your progression and ability against each of the Professional Teaching and Leadership Standards. Successful evidence of all Standards being met, together with completion of Level 7 assessments, will lead to a recommendation being made to the Education Workforce Council (EWC) that you be awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
In line with Government requirements, the programme is developed and delivered through a collaborative school-university body; the Swansea University Schools’ Partnership (SUSP). This Partnership shares roles in the development, review and delivery of our programme, covering both its university and school placement elements. School and university staff will work together to support you, as a student teacher, to progress toward successful completion of the course, and achieving QTS.
Well-qualified biology teachers are in high demand across the UK. In recognition of this, the SUSP has developed this innovative Secondary Biology PGCE programme that is designed to provide you with confidence, in both your subject knowledge, and in your understanding of how to teach it. The subject-specific element of the programme comes from a ‘Research Informed Reflective Practice’ module that is designed around your subject of choice.
The programme is underpinned by regional, national and international research. You will learn how to make teaching biology meaningful, interesting and fun, and also how to analyse your own and your pupils’ development.
Why Postgraduate Certificate in Education at Swansea?
The Swansea University Schools’ Partnership (SUSP) will provide you with high-quality, practitioner and research-led Initial Teacher Education (ITE), to deliver its vision of developing individuals like you into well-informed, reflective practitioners, who can contribute significantly to the quality of Welsh education.
The Secondary PGCE is structured to provide you with the necessary opportunities to address all of the Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership, through rich learning experiences that are centred around developing your professional proficiency.
This rigorous programme will challenge you academically and professionally. The programme aims to develop your critical understanding of the nature of biology, and its position in the school curriculum. You will be encouraged to research and test your own approaches to the teaching of biology, to find the techniques that work best, both for you and for the pupils you teach.
You will also have the opportunity to transfer 60 Level 7 credits achieved in the programme as Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL), that can count towards achieving the National Master’s in Education, which is delivered jointly by Universities across Wales.
All aspects of the course have been developed collaboratively by the SUSP and will be delivered, quality assured and reviewed in partnership, to consolidate this collaboration throughout the year.
Your PGCE Experience
The programme comprises 60 days of university input and 120 days of school placement across two school settings.
Prior to placement, you will take part in a Micro Teaching session, where you will deliver a short lesson to your peers. Following this session, you will be given informal feedback on aspects such as communication, clarity of explanation, use of resources, and classroom presence - laying the groundwork for reflective practice before entering the classroom.
While on placement, you will be supported comprehensively through a robust framework that integrates professional, academic, and pastoral support. You will be paired with a subject mentor, who can offer guidance and constructive feedback to support your development. University staff remain actively involved throughout your placements, providing subject-specific guidance and conducting formal observations, which are carefully planned to assess your progress and support the development of your teaching practice.
Regular Practice and Theory (PaT) days are embedded throughout the first placement period, offering time for you to explore how educational theory connects with classroom practice. These sessions take place in each student’s Network Lead School and are facilitated by the University Network Lead Tutor and school colleagues, allowing you to share experiences, discuss challenges, and reflect on your progress.
A key feature of the support process is the use of the Professional Learning Passport (PLP), an online platform that records your professional learning journey. You will also record lesson plans, reflections, and will receive feedback from your mentors, which includes formal observations, mentor meetings and structured professional conversations.
You will receive 35 hours of Welsh language provision during the course to develop your Welsh language skills. For Welsh-speaking students, there is a Welsh-medium pathway, which includes Welsh-medium placements, seminars and PaT days, as well as the option to submit assignments and receive feedback from a Welsh-speaking university tutor.
The programme also embeds a strong commitment to inclusive education through a comprehensive focus on Additional Learning Needs (ALN), aligned with the new ALN Code for Wales. You will be supported to become a responsive professional, who can adapt your teaching to meet the diverse needs of all learners.
PGCE Employment Opportunities
Successful completion of this PGCE will lead to a recommendation to the Education Workforce Council (EWC) for you to be awarded with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This provides opportunities for employment as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) in schools.
At Swansea University, we have a range of engagement with external bodies such as:
Unions
School Leaders
The Education Workforce Council (EWC)
Initial Teacher Education (ITE) Leads
Partneriaeth - a collaborative educational body supporting schools in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, and Swansea
The Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC)
This engagement allows a range of opportunities for students. These include dedicated sessions that focus on the job application process from school leaders, followed up in schools with sessions that focus on interview technique, letters of application and interview lessons, including mock interviews. Engagement with professional organisations, such as the WJEC (the exam board for school-level qualifications in Wales) can take the form of sessions such as regional workshops, enabling students to participate in their professional community and make valuable connections.
Additionally, you will be given opportunities to develop and extend your employability skills through a number of enhanced opportunities. These include presenting research to school partners, university colleagues, and others, at an annual research event; participating in activities with subject organisations such as the Institute of Physics; developing and managing workshops for A-Level students, and supporting or co-leading school trips, clubs and outdoor learning.
The majority of our students take up roles in secondary schools. Typically, over 90% of graduating students are in post by the September following graduation. A number of students pursue further qualifications in Education after graduation, with some continuing to study at Swansea on programmes such as the National MA programme, which can be followed alongside teaching roles. Some students also decide to take up employment outside of the secondary school sector. The most common graduate destinations are:
We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.
We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.
Entry Requirements
Applicants for the Secondary PGCE are required to have achieved the following prior to admission to the programme:
An honours degree at a minimum of 2:2 in a relevant subject, or a related subject with at least 50% relevant subject content;
Grade C GCSE in English/Welsh (students applying for the Welsh medium programme will be required to have a GCSE in Welsh);
Grade C GCSE in Maths
The GCSE Grade C in English/Welsh and Mathematics are a requirement set by the Welsh Government.
All interviews will be held virtually (using Microsoft Teams) with a PGCE subject specialist through the medium of English or Welsh as desired. The format will consist of a short interview and professional discussion.
All PGCE students will complete a Digital Competence audit on enrolment and have digital competence training embedded into their PGCE programme of study.
All applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check. Applicants must not have been excluded from teaching or working with children nor be registered with the DBS as unfit for working with children or young persons (please see additional costs section).
All applicants must meet the requirements of the Education Health Standards (Wales) confirming their health and physical capacity to teach (please see additional costs section).
International applicants
Completing the PGCE programme in the UK does not provide ‘Leave to Remain’ status to work as a teacher within the UK. Applicants should familiarise themselves with the UK Visa and Immigration Service regulations and requirements that apply to study and post-study in the UK.
Successful completion of the Swansea University Schools Partnership Initial Teacher Education programme leads to (i) the award of a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and (ii) a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status and registration with the Education Workforce Council for Wales. Applicants should consult with the relevant education service or government department to enquire if completion of a PGCE in a UK University will allow them to teach in their home country or any other country outside the UK.
Applicants typically require an overall IELTS (or equivalent) test score of 7.0 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component (writing, reading, speaking and listening). Please see further information about our English Language requirements.
At Swansea, you will benefit from a high-quality, research-informed
education that combines a range of effective and inclusive teaching methods,
carefully tailored to suit the needs of your course. Most courses are taught
in person, on campus, giving you the opportunity to
actively engage with other students, academic staff, and the wider
university community.
You can expect a mix of
lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical sessions -
including laboratory work, skills training, or studio-based teaching where
relevant to your discipline. These sessions are designed to encourage active
participation, collaboration, and the development of both subject-specific
and transferable skills.
Digital learning tools are also used to enhance your
learning experience. These may include:
Recorded lectures to support flexible study and
revision.
Virtual labs or simulated environments, particularly in
science, healthcare, and technical disciplines.
Online resources on the university’s virtual learning
environment (Canvas), including videos, reading materials, quizzes, and
discussion forums.
This approach enables you to engage with and review content at your own pace
while benefiting from the structure and support of in-person teaching.
This course may offer some modules taught through the medium of Welsh or
bilingually for students who consider themselves to be fluent Welsh
speakers. For more details on the provision available see the Welsh
Provision expander below.
N.B If you are an international student studying with a Student Route
Visa, please note that your timetabled activity, along with any
additional supervisory activity (with Swansea University staff present)
will take place on campus. In line with UKVI protocol, these sessions
will be monitored and data made available on request.
You can study 80 credits or more of this course through the medium of Welsh. Academi
Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:
Access to modules taught wholly or partly in Welsh.
A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
One-to-one support through the medium of Welsh to improve your academic skills.
An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence
of your Welsh language ability for future employers, namely the WJEC and Coleg Cymraeg’s Welsh Language
Certificate.
Fees for full time undergraduate UK students may increase in subsequent years of study in line with the maximum regulated fee level set by the Welsh Government
You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.
To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.
Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.
To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's
scholarships and bursaries
page.
Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually.
For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.
Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.
You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):
Travel to and from campus
Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
You will also need to complete a health questionnaire which forms part of the fitness to practice as a teacher test process. The questionnaire requires input from your general practitioner and they might charge for this service.
As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your
personal tutor, the Centre for Academic
Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas
such as:
Academic writing
Maths and statistics
Critical thinking
Time management
Digital skills
Presentation skills
Note taking
Revision, memory and exam techniques
English language skills (if English is not your first language).
In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability,
mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have
Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and
requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.
International summer programmes are open to students from all schools.
Programmes typically range from 2 to 6 weeks, across destinations such as
Sri Lanka, South Korea, Fiji, Bali, the USA and across Europe. For more
information about programmes and eligibility visit our
Summer Abroad webpages.
We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application
deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can
find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.
