The specialising in primary physical education module is for PE route only.
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*In your chosen subject
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*In your chosen subject
Birmingham Newman Direct - Secondary
PGCE Secondary with QTS, Postgraduate, September 2025
Key Details
- 1 Years
- TBC Typical UCAS Tariff
Choosing to study a PGCE in Secondary Education is your first step to inspiring children in learning about their world, and at Birmingham Newman University, we would love to support you in joining the profession.
The Birmingham Newman Direct – PGCE Secondary school-based programme route is designed to prepare you for teaching within your subject. The University modules look at four themes: Role of the Teacher; Learning, Teaching and Assessment; Adaptive Practice and Understanding and Managing Behaviours. These are underpinned by an additional subject knowledge and pedagogy theme.
The academic award is attained by completing two level 7 modules worth 30 credits each. Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is attained by successfully completing school experience within your school settings and evidencing your progress.
For those wishing to work within Catholic schools, or who wish to develop their understanding of Religious education, there is potentially the opportunity to undertake the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies (CCRS) – see Additional Information for details.
PGCE School Based – Secondary Direct students at University combine school based practice with University input and provides opportunities for you as a trainee teacher to explore and understand in theoretical and practical terms the meaning of teaching and learning in the context of education and being a teacher. School-based training is central to the PGCE Birmingham Newman Direct programme and will be a feature of all three terms of your PGCE year. You undertake placements in at least two schools, providing opportunities to observe and practise a range of methods and approaches.
School-based learning includes observation of experienced teachers, a structured programme of group and whole class teaching and a series of directed activities to explore wider school issues.
Newman Initial Teacher Education graduates have a high employment rate and are well respected in the region and beyond. Most students take up a position in teaching, although some pursue other careers using the range of transferable skills gained during study. Our graduates have secured employment in a variety of settings and many roles such as subject lead, senior leadership, international posts and consultancy.
On successful completion of the course including demonstrating the required teaching standards, you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status with the Department for Education, who confer QTS, ready to start your first teaching job. After your successful completion of the PGCE at level 7, you will also be invited to enrol on the master’s programme to continue your postgraduate studies and support your professional development.
Find more information on funding Birmingham Newman Direct here.
Newman University is located in Britain’s second city – Birmingham. With one of the youngest city populations in Europe, it is a vibrant and dynamic place to study.
Studying at Newman University, you have the advantage of being near to the city, but living in, or commuting to peaceful and comfortable surroundings on campus.
Dining out
Birmingham has lots of wonderful places to dine out with a range of different cuisines. Places where you can dine out include; Brindley Place, Mailbox and Hagley Road (just 10 minutes’ from Newman).
Entertainment
Whether you like to go to; the theatre, gigs or clubs, or enjoy: sports, shopping visiting art galleries or exhibitions – Birmingham will not disappoint and you will be spoilt for choice!
Location
Getting around Birmingham is easy via train, bus or by car. Birmingham has excellent transport links to the rest of Britain, making it easy for those weekend getaways!
Why not explore the city for yourself by visiting one of our Open Days?
Want to find out more about Birmingham? Then take a look at some Birmingham City Secrets.
We work with a range of Birmingham Newman Direct alliances across the West Midlands region. Each alliance works with its own group of schools. If you are applying for a Birmingham Newman Direct place, you will undertake a placement in at least two school settings within the alliance.
The Department for Education has announced the financial incentives for ITT courses. You can find out more about this here.
Applications for the Birmingham Newman Direct School-Based teaching route are made through the Department for Education.
View our guide on how to apply.
Entry Requirements
Students apply for PGCE courses via DfE Apply.
A UK Bachelor’s Degree (or recognised equivalent qualification) of which 50% content must be related to the named subject, and this will be a condition of any offer where the degree has not already been awarded.
GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 (or C) or above (or recognised equivalents). Please be aware that whilst these GCSEs are not mandatory at application point, these qualifications must be obtained by enrolment. See our page on additional GCSE Equivalency test information.
School experience is not a requirement for entry to the programme. However, having experience in a school will support your preparation for training as a teacher.
Any applicants to the PE with EBacc route must have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C or better at A level in the relevant EBacc subject. EBACC subject areas are Maths, English, History, MFL (Modern Foreign Languages), Geography and the Sciences
At interview you will be asked about any experiences that you have with school aged children and your understanding of teaching within your chosen age range. The quality and variety of your personal statement is an important factor in the decision to call you to interview.
You will need to obtain Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and meet the requirements for fitness to train to teach prior to starting the course and be assured against a set of fundamental maths and English skills by the end of your PGCE.
For full entry requirements please see our admission requirements page.
For further information about national Initial Teacher Training (ITT) criteria and supporting advice, please refer to the DfE website.
Subject Knowledge Enhancement
If your degree does not include enough of your subject of interest, or if you just need a refresher course, the Department for Education sponsors several Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) courses.
There is an expectation that students would have studied the subject at A level or equivalent.
Course Fees
Full-time fee: The full-time course fee for September 2025 is £9,250.
Part-time fees: The fee for UK students is £9,250 which is the standard rate for postgraduate courses. This is divided between the two training years.
The University will review tuition fees and increase fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government, if permitted by law or government policy, in subsequent years of your course. It is anticipated that such increases would be linked to RPI (the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).
Additional Costs
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required for entry into this programme. Find out more about completing the DBS application form and the related additional costs that you will incur.
Modules
Additional Information
To ensure that the course content is as up-to-date and relevant to current teaching theory and practice as possible, this course will be re-validated at least every five years or sooner, if external changes require it.
Work-related placements in school and visits to other education settings will require some travel. Placements may be 1 hour and/or approximately a 40 miles radius from a student’s term-time address.
If you are interested in working in Catholic schools or simply wish to keep options open for the future then why not consider the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies? Past students have found it extremely helpful regardless of religious belief. For more information please visit the webpage or contact course leader Eamonn Elliot directly e.w.elliott@newman.ac.uk
General Academic Regulations: Terms and Conditions for students attending our courses