Swansea University
Biology (Secondary PGCE) PGCE
Swansea University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 140 graduates of Biology (Secondary PGCE) PGCE and other courses in CAH19 at Swansea University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in CAH19.

Overall student satisfaction
84 /100
140 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in CAH19

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of CAH19 at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £24000 £21500 £25500
25-75 percentile range £20000 - £26000 £17000 - £25000 £19500 - £29500


Salary of all UK Graduates of CAH19

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £32600 £18167 £22182
25-75 percentile range £29467 - £33333 £14369 - £21274 £16909 - £25591

Course Description

Swansea University Schools Partnership's integrated and rigorous PGCE programme will challenge you academically and professionally. The PGCE Biology programme aims to develop 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 Biology pedagogy to find those techniques that work best for you and for the pupils you teach. Students will be taught in our cutting-edge laboratory facilities on our campuses. Swansea University Schools Partnership is committed to developing research-informed reflective practitioners who can demonstrate creativity and flexibility in their teaching so that learners develop their Biology competence in an environment that cultivates enjoyment of the subject.

Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study at Swansea University.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Biology (Secondary PGCE) PGCE at Swansea University

20% Elementary occupations
12% Administrative occupations
9% Business and public service associate professionals
9% Secretarial and related occupations
6% Skilled trades occupations
6% Sales occupations
6% Customer service occupations
4% Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations
4% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
4% Secretarial and related occupations

Grading & Study Time

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Welsh Studies

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All Degrees

The Welsh Government offer the following incentives to eligible students: *Welsh Government Teacher Training Incentives are available to eligible students who are studying PGCE Biology. The incentive amount is based on your degree classification and/or Masters, PhD. *The Welsh Government Iaith Athrawon Yfory Incentive Scheme is available to eligible students studying through the medium of Welsh. *For more information on both schemes, please visit: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/student-loans-and-grants/post-graduate-certificate-in-education-pgce/
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Biology (Secondary PGCE), PGCE, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language 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 B GCSE in English Language or Literature/Welsh (students applying for the Welsh medium programme will be required to have a GCSE in Welsh);

• Grade B GCSE in Maths

The GCSE Grade B in English Language or Literature/Welsh and Mathematics are a requirement set by the Welsh Government. However, we welcome applications from those with a GCSE Grade C in English Language or Literature/Welsh and/or Mathematics. Applicants with a grade C in GCSE English Language or Literature/Welsh or Mathematics who meet all other entry criteria may be accepted if they complete successfully an equivalency test. Due to the current COVID-19 situation, we are unable to follow our planned timetable of equivalency testing. Therefore, applicants will be expected to sit their equivalency test(s) during the PGCE academic year where they will be given up to 3 attempts. Should the situation change, we will restart our programme of tutorials and tests before the beginning of the academic year. Please note that applicants must pass their equivalency test(s) in order to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

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 must meet the requirements of the Education Health Standards (Wales) confirming their health and physical capacity to teach.

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.

Costs

Tuition Fees Biology (Secondary PGCE) PGCE

England UK £9000 year 1
Northern Ireland £9000 year 1
Scotland £9000 year 1
Wales £9000 year 1
EU £17500 year 1
International £17500 year 1

Additional fee information

**

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

University Rankings

Positions of Swansea University in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Swansea University in related subject specific rankings.

Education

    • #1 
    • #14 
    Education
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #3 
    • #37 
    Education
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]
    • #2 
    • #176 
    Education
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #1 
    • #201 
    Education
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #2 
    • #299 
    Education
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

See all 29 university rankings of Swansea University

About Swansea University

Swansea University was established in 1920 and is located in the large city of Swansea, in Wales. There are two campuses, the flagship campus is located between Singleton Park, with its green parkland and botanical gardens, and Swansea Bay beach. The more recent Bay Campus on the other hand is located on an extensive beachfront property on the eastern side of town, past the marina. Apart from a vibrant academic life, students can attend the numerous yearly festivals that take place in Swansea, guaranteeing plenty of opportunities for getting out and about in your free time.

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Where is this programme taught

Singleton Park Campus
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