University of Cumbria
Secondary Geography with QTS PGCE
University of Cumbria

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Course Description

Inspire the next generation by sharing your passion for geography with young people. In this specialised PGCE pathway, you can instil a love of science and the natural world within the children you teach.

Our well-respected PGCE Secondary with QTS supports you through your journey from student to newly-qualified teacher. Moreover, as the PGCE programme includes QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) you'll apply for your first teaching position whilst studying with us.

Accreditation for the award of QTS is through our accredited partner. All academic awards are made by the University of Cumbria.

  • COURSE OVERVIEW

Grounded in the learning of our PGCE Secondary programme, this Geography pathway allows you to develop the skills to teach in the secondary school setting, delivering engaging lessons. This unique specialism gives you the opportunity to inspire a love of our planet, nurturing scientific discovery in the children you teach.

You’ll learn through a blend of theory and hands-on experience, working within the National Curriculum Framework. You'll explore the key concepts and themes of the PGCE curriculum, confidently devising and delivering engaging lessons to children and young people, aged 11-16 years old.

Over half the course will be spent working in the classroom on assessed placement, with school-based enrichment activities alongside your university-based study. You'll take two placements across a variety of schools and settings, building a wealth of experience to help advance your future career.

  • ON THIS COURSE YOU WILL...
  • Inspire young people to our planet.
  • Benefit from high-quality support from our academics and staff on a programme designed around you.
  • Learn from an experienced, highly qualified programme team, working at the forefront of the academic field.
  • Enjoy the intimate feel of our course delivery, with small class sizes and your own personal tutor.
  • WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Our course ensures that you learn all the skills you need for effective teaching, from the basics of structuring and planning lessons to developing personal skills and confidence. Our school-based programme is delivered through dedicated sessions with trainees and school mentors, and allows you to learn from working alongside experienced school colleagues. Working with individual groups of pupils in school, you will gradually build up to teach whole classes. You will learn how to organise practical work and also carry out many of the practical activities that are common in schools.

MODULES

There are two distinct phases to teaching on this course; September-December and January-June. In the September-December phase, you will develop your understanding and implementation of key teaching strategies. During this phase you will take your first teaching steps by working with individual groups of pupils in school, gradually building up to the teaching of whole classes. The key focus in this initial phase is that of helping students to understand the needs of individual learners. In the January-June phase, you will hone your whole-class teaching experience, fostering achievement and a love of learning in students, in correspondence to the requirements of the Teachers’ Standards.

Year one

  • PGSC7011 Investigating Teaching and Learning in Geography
  • PGSC7012 Investigating Teaching and Learning Across and Beyond the School Curriculum
  • PGSC9011 Developing Professional Skills, Knowledge and Practice

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.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Requirements for international students / English requirements

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

    • 6.5
    • All Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Secondary Geography with QTS, PGCE, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

A minimum UK 2:2 honours degree or recognised equivalent qualification in geography or a related discipline is required. Your degree must contain evidence of a substantial and appropriate level of subject knowledge. All successful applicants must have met this requirement by 31 July 2019.

If you don't have an undergraduate degree but do have a Masters or other higher qualification, your application will be considered by our academic tutors on a one-to-one basis.

English and Mathematics at GCSE level at Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent.

Successful completion of the Professional Skills Tests in literacy and numeracy prior to starting your course.

A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background clearance check prior to starting the course.

Satisfactory Occupational Health medical check prior to starting the course

Evidence of a satisfactory level of literacy on the application form and a satisfactory personal statement.

Evidence of motivation and appropriate professional values. A strong personal statement conveying an enthusiasm for the subject, for working with young people and for teaching and learning.

A satisfactory academic (University) or a satisfactory professional reference if it is more than 5 years since academic work.

Evidence of the potential to work at Masters level

At interview, all candidates undertake a range of tasks including a micro-teaching task; group discussions; individual interview; subject knowledge tests; and other written tasks as appropriate, including testing of literacy levels and the ability to think and write at Masters level.

There are currently no AP(E)L opportunities for entry to this Programme

Costs

Tuition Fees Secondary Geography with QTS PGCE

England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
EU £13250 year 1
International £13250 year 1

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 University of Cumbria in top UK and global rankings.

See all 6 university rankings of University of Cumbria

About University of Cumbria

The University of Cumbria is an institution whose stated aims are to develop the region’s talent and capabilities, and also to attract new talent into the region. The university operates out of 7 distinct campuses, two of which are situated within World Heritage sites and is the only university in the UK to be set in a national park. Each distinct campus has something unique to offer prospective students.

List of 117 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Cumbria - Course Catalogue

Student composition of University of Cumbria

undergraduates:
5445
postgraduates:
1135
Total:
6580
  • University of Cumbria - Fay Codona - BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing
  • University of Cumbria - Adventure Beyond Campus (Carlisle)
  • University of Cumbria - Joseph Morell - BSc (Hons) Sport Rehabilitation
  • University of Cumbria - Studying Physiotherapy: A Students View

Where is this programme taught

School Direct
map marker Show on map
Lancaster
map marker Show on map

Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
PGCE Secondary Geography PGCE University of Reading - - - £10800 £22350 - Reading On campus Full-time
Secondary Geography with QTS PGCE University of Cumbria - - - £9250 £13250 - Carlisle On campus Full-time
Geography PgDip Birkbeck, University of London - - - £7200 £13220 - London On campus Full-time
Geography (PGDE - Graduates only) PGDE University of Aberdeen - - - £9250 £21900 £20800 - Aberdeen On campus Full-time
Daearyddiaeth (TAR Uwchradd Graddedigion yn unig) PGCE Cardiff Metropolitan University - - - £9000 £9000 £13000 £14000 - Cardiff On campus Full-time
Daearyddiaeth (TAR Uwchradd - Graddedigion yn unig) PGCE Aberystwyth University - - - - £14280 - Aberystwyth On campus Full-time
Geography (Secondary PGCE - Graduates only) PGCE University of Wales - - - £9000 £13500 - Cardiff On campus Full-time
Geography (PGDE - Graduates only) PGDE University of Strathclyde - - - £9250 £18050 - Glasgow On campus Full-time
Geography (Secondary PGCE - Graduates only) PGCE Cardiff Metropolitan University - - - £9000 £9000 £13000 £14000 - Cardiff On campus Full-time
Geography (Secondary PGCE - Graduates only) PGCE Aberystwyth University - - - £9000 £14280 - Aberystwyth On campus Full-time