PGCE
PGCE Geography
Train to teach Geography and join an exciting, rewarding and changing profession
Course Overview
Why take this course?
This PGCE course will train you to teach Geography to GCSE level. Geography is a dynamic and relevant subject for all children to study and this course aims to equip you with the knowledge and professional competence to succeed as a teacher in this subject.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Undertake placements with our network of experience training schools
- Train in classroom management techniques as you study the theory underpinning them
- Develop your subject knowledge
What opportunities might it lead to?
Successful completion of the PGCE in geography will enable you to gain Qualified Teacher Status and will provide for a career in secondary teaching. On recent figures, over 90% of our students each year gain employment with 60% of those getting jobs in our partnership schools.
Applications and GTTR code
Applications should be made through the GTTR (Graduate Teacher Training Registry). Please apply online at www.gttr.ac.uk, using the GTTR code F8X1
The PGCE at the University of Portsmouth provided a trusted route into a new career that would enable me to work closely with young people from a variety of backgrounds and allow me to have a positive influence on their lives.
David Price, PGCE (Geography) student 2012
Key Facts
- Duration
- 1 year full time
- Entry
A good honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, with approximately 50% geographical content. A minimum of 2:1 is desirable although applicants with other qualifications or valuable experience will also be considered. GCSE Mathematics and English language at grade C or above, or equivalent. All shortlisted applicants are subject to interview. All offers are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and Occupational Health clearance. All applicants must pass the Teaching Agency's professional skills tests in literacy and numeracy before starting the course.
Applicants whose first language is not English, and who do not have GCSE English language at grade C or above, require English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component less than 6.0.- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- secs.enquiries@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 5204 - Department
- School of Education and Continuing Studies
Structure & Teaching
The course is essentially practical and two-thirds of your time will be spent in school where you will be working closely with mentors and other school staff.
Throughout the year you will be engaged in considering a range of subjects including:
- Subject Knowledge Enhancement
- ICT in the classroom
- Lesson Planning
- Classroom management
- Research into the pedagogy and psychology of learning geography
- Special Needs and Inclusion
- Assessment
- Teaching and assessment
Teaching and Assessment
The assessment procedures adopted throughout the course are mainly formative in nature and designed to ensure that trainees meet the Standards for Qualifying to Teach.
The course lasts 36 weeks between September and June, with one third of the time spent in University-based sessions such as lectures, group participation and guided reading, and the remainder working in at least two of our partner schools.
You will be supported by tutors while in the university, and by professional and subject mentors while in schools, encouraging the development of teaching skills specifically for the secondary sector and blending work-based learning experience and supervised teaching practice.
The programme offers trainees a choice between the Professional and the Postgraduate route, with the latter allowing trainees to graduate with 60 M-level credits.
In each term you will be assessed on:
- The development of your teaching skills
- A formal assignment
- An interview in which you will demonstrate the evidence collected towards the standards including your subject knowledge
Throughout the course you will collate a portfolio of evidence based on schoolwork, observations of teaching, tasks and assignments.
How are you assessed?
The assessment procedures adopted throughout the course are mainly formative in nature and designed to ensure that trainees meet the Standards for Qualifying to Teach.
In each term you will be assessed on:
- The development of your teaching skills
- A formal assignment
- An interview in which you will demonstrate the evidence collected towards the standards including your subject knowledge
Throughout the course you will collate a portfolio of evidence based on schoolwork, observations of teaching, tasks and assignments.
Facilities & Features
School Links
A wide range of links to schools in the area
OFSTED
Regular OFSTED inspections
Support and Bursaries
Support and training bursaries available
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment
School Links
The School of Education and Continuing Studies maintains strong relationships with a network of partner schools and colleges, which helps over 80% of our trainees obtain jobs in the area.
OFSTED
Regular inspections by Ofsted and the Quality Assurance Authority have confirmed Portsmouth as an excellent provider of courses in education, a position supported by strong performance in newspaper league tables and the National Student Survey.
Support and Bursaries
If you join a full-time PGCE teacher training course you may be eligible for a training bursary from the government. English students can also apply to Student Finance England for a tuition fee loan, maintenance loan and maintenance grant, and may also be eligible for a University of Portsmouth Bursary.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
Career opportunities within teaching are now far wider and more diverse than ever before. After a few years of teaching, relatively recently qualified teachers are able to gain promotion (responsibility) points for leadership within their subject. Alternatively some teachers prefer to pursue a pastoral route and may gain promotion to Year Head or other pastoral roles. There are also opportunities to become a Subject Leader, which allows effective classroom teachers to gain recognition for their excellence in the classroom without needing to move to more administrative positions. After some experience of middle management successful teachers may progress to senior management as Senior Teacher, Deputy Head or Head.
At the end of the training period, more than 90% of the trainees went into full-time employment in schools within the Portsmouth University Partnership.
Career planning
One of the benefits of studying at Portsmouth is the support that we provide to our Master's and Research Degrees students in career planning. Our careers and recruitment service – Purple Door – can assist you in career research and finding employment opportunities. Help is also available if you wish to find a part-time job while studying your degree. We offer our postgraduate students and alumni one-to-one appointments with a careers adviser, or an online service for those not able to travel back to the University. Our alumni can call on our career services for five years after graduation.
In addition, regular employability events offer you the chance to meet employers, find out about different career sectors and improve your applications or CV. The Graduate Summer Programme provides a range of guidance and employability seminars and workshops.