Why a PGCE could be the perfect next step for your teaching career
Get into teaching
A PGCE is one of the most practical and respected routes into teaching in the UK. It combines hands-on classroom experience with academic training, giving you the skills to step confidently into a teaching career. At the University of Portsmouth, we offer three PGCE routes: Primary, Secondary, and Further Education & Skills, each designed to prepare you for the type of teaching you want to do. We also offer a Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status BEd for students who want to train to teach at undergraduate level.
This guide looks at the benefits of studying a PGCE, what makes Portsmouth a great place to train, and key information about courses, career paths, and funding. Whether you want to shape young people’s futures, build professional skills, or join a profession in high demand, a PGCE could be the right step for you.
What is a PGCE?
A PGCE, or Postgraduate Certificate in Education, is a postgraduate teaching qualification that combines university study with practical experience in schools or colleges. It gives you the knowledge, skills and confidence you need to begin your career as a teacher.
At the University of Portsmouth, our Primary and Secondary courses include the training and assessment needed to be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This built in PGCE to QTS route means once you meet the Teachers Standards your tutors will submit your recommendation to the Department for Education. There is no separate fee for QTS, and most students achieve both the PGCE and QTS at the end of the course.
For the Further Education and Skills PGCE, you will work towards Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) through the Society for Education and Training. This accreditation is awarded once you meet the required standards, and there is no separate fee to gain it.
Throughout your course, you will learn how to plan lessons, manage classrooms, support different learners and reflect on your teaching practice. You will also complete school or college placements, so by the end of the course you will have significant real-world experience and the confidence to step into your first teaching role.
I feel like I want to get in the classroom when I’m not in the classroom. I keep getting excited about getting back in there and teaching the kids because it’s always so different.
5 benefits of a PGCE
1. Strong career demand in the UK
Teacher demand is high across the UK, especially in secondary schools, where pupil numbers are rising faster than the workforce. There’s also a strong need for teachers in STEM subjects like maths, physics and computing. By gaining a PGCE, you’re stepping into a profession where your skills are genuinely needed. This gives you strong job security and plenty of career options from day one.
2. Competitive starting salary
A PGCE prepares you to be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which puts you on the qualified teacher pay scale. Newly qualified teachers in England typically start on over £30,000 a year, well above the full-time equivalent of the current minimum wage, around £23,800. Salaries increase with experience, and after five years on the main pay scale many teachers earn around £40,000. Completing a PGCE gives you financial stability and clear opportunities to progress from the very start of your teaching career.
3. Significant holiday allowance
Teaching gives you significantly more paid time off than most careers. On average you’ll have around 15 weeks of holiday each year, including the long summer break plus Christmas and Easter. These regular breaks give you a predictable rhythm to your year and the chance to rest, travel, or spend time with family and friends.
4. Real-world classroom experience
PGCEs are designed around school and college placements, giving you hands-on teaching experience from the start. You’ll lead lessons, work directly with learners, manage classrooms, and gain the practical skills needed to thrive in a teaching career. This immersive experience helps you build confidence, develop your professional identity, and prepare for the challenges of the classroom before you graduate.
5. Make a meaningful impact
Teaching is a career where your work genuinely matters. You’ll help young people grow, shape their futures, and develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed. Every lesson, every conversation, and every encouragement you give can make a lasting difference. Beyond the classroom, you’ll contribute to your community and wider society, inspiring the next generation and helping to create a positive, lasting impact on the world around you.
What makes Portsmouth special
Flexible course delivery
Our PGCEs give you the choice of studying full time for one year or part time over two years, so you can train in a way that suits your routine.
However you choose to train, you can shape your route into teaching around your commitments while still getting the high-quality support we are known for.
Outstanding Ofsted rating
Our Secondary PGCE has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted, reflecting our high standards of teaching, mentoring, and support. We have close partnerships with local schools and colleges, giving you the experience and professional connections that help launch your teaching career.
You’ll benefit from placements across a variety of settings, gaining hands-on experience with different learners and teaching styles. This practical exposure, combined with guidance from experienced mentors, ensures you leave the course confident, skilled, and ready to make an impact in the classroom.
The seaside city
Portsmouth is a lively, walkable seaside city with a strong student community and plenty to enjoy. You’ll find a long waterfront, great places to eat, a mix of high street and independent shops and a bustling, welcoming nightlife.
The city also hosts events throughout the year, including Victorious Festival, which adds to the vibrant atmosphere without overshadowing the relaxed feel of the seafront. With everything close together and great transport links, Portsmouth is a friendly place to settle into and a great base for student life.
Department for Education accredited courses
All our PGCE courses are accredited by the Department for Education, meaning they meet the rigorous national standards for teacher training in England. Completing an accredited course ensures you are eligible to be recommended for QTS or, for Further Education, QTLS.
This accreditation gives you professional recognition, access to the qualified teacher pay scale, and confidence that your training prepares you fully for a teaching career.
Student support that helps you succeed
We place a strong focus on student wellbeing and provide a wide range of support to help every student succeed. From academic guidance and pastoral support to mentoring during school or college placements, we ensure you feel confident and supported throughout your course.
During placements, you’ll have two school-based mentors: a professional mentor who oversees your overall development and a subject mentor who provides day-to-day guidance, lesson planning support, and subject-specific feedback. Your personal tutor and faculty learning development tutors also offer advice on academic skills, time management, and teaching practice.
I feel really well supported by the University, that I’m not just another student going through the course, that my tutor really knows who I am and what support I need to get through the course. I feel really valued as an individual here at Portsmouth which I think is really important.
Bursaries and scholarships
If you’re studying a Secondary PGCE with QTS, you could benefit from a range of generous bursaries and scholarships. For 2026 to 2027, government PGCE bursaries range from £5,000 to £29,000, with the highest amounts in chemistry, computing, mathematics and physics. Some subjects also offer teacher training scholarships for even greater support. Check out the government's website here to see exactly what options are available for your chosen subject.
On top of this, at Portsmouth we offer a wide range of additional awards. From our care leaver bursary of £1,700 a year to our sports scholarships worth between £2,000 and £6,000, there are many ways to access extra support. We also automatically award a £500 bursary to students from households earning under £25,000 a year.
With so many funding options available, training to teach has never been more affordable. Speak to our Student Money team today to discuss your eligibility on +44 (0)23 9284 3014 or at studentmoney@port.ac.uk
How to apply and application process
Applying for a PGCE at Portsmouth is straightforward. For our Primary and Secondary PGCE's you apply through the Government’s Apply for Teacher Training service. You’ll choose the University of Portsmouth, select either Primary or Secondary and complete the online application form. For our Further Education PGCE you can apply directly through the course page on our website.
You’ll need to upload proof of your academic qualifications, including GCSEs, provide two references and write a personal statement that explains why you want to go into teaching. These steps help us understand your experience, your motivation and whether the course is right for you.
Once your PGCE application is submitted, our Admissions team reviews it and invites eligible applicants to an interview. This is an essential part of our selection process. Our interviews are a supportive and friendly process, usually involving a discussion about your interest in teaching and a teaching related task. It is designed to help you show your potential, not catch you out.
Applications usually open in the autumn for the following academic year, and places can fill quickly, so applying early is a good idea. Before you begin, check the entry requirements, gather your certificates and think about any experience you can highlight in your personal statement.
If you need help at any stage, our team is on hand to guide you. Whether you are a recent graduate or changing career, we will support you through every step of your application. You can contact us on teachertraining@port.ac.uk
Our courses
Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status BEd
Develop your teaching practice with our BEd (Hons) Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status degree. Prepare to engage and empower the next generation.
Start date: September 2026
Primary PGCE
Inspire children into a lifetime of learning by training as a primary teacher. Study with an expert PGCE team, with support from expert mentors on your school placement.
Start date: September 2026
PGCE Courses
Join one of our secondary PGCE courses in English, Maths, Geography, Languages, History, Physical Education or Science. Study on a course rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted and get support from tutors and school-based mentors to plan and deliver lessons with knowledge, confidence and imagination.
Start date: September 2026
Further Education and Skills PGCE
Learn to teach in colleges and sixth forms with this PGCE Further Education and Skills. Further your studies at a postgraduate level, boost your employability and achieve your goals.
Start date: September 2026 January 2027
FAQs
You generally need GCSEs in English and maths (and sometimes science for Primary courses) at grade C/4 or above, or an equivalent qualification. If you don’t meet these requirements, you may still be able to apply, but you might need to complete additional study or assessments before starting. Contact the PGCE admissions team for guidance.
You can apply up until the course starts, but demand is high. The sooner you apply, the more likely you are to secure your spot.
Some PGCE trainees balance part-time work alongside their studies, but the course is intensive and requires significant commitment, especially during school placements. Full-time placements and lesson planning will take up most weekdays, so careful time management is essential if you plan to work alongside your training. Part-time PGCE options may offer slightly more flexibility, but it’s important to ensure any work commitments don’t affect your progress or placement experience.
At Portsmouth, your options depend on the age group you want to teach.
For the Primary, you train to teach the full primary curriculum, giving you the skills and confidence to work across all core subjects for pupils aged 5-11
For the Secondary, you specialise in one subject. We currently offer English, Mathematics, Geography, Modern Foreign Languages, History, Physical Education and Science with a focus on biology, physics or chemistry.
For Further Education and Skills, you won’t choose from a set list of subjects. Instead, you’ll train to teach your own specialist area to learners aged 16 and above.
Our PGCE courses take 1 year if you study full time, or 2 years if you choose the part time route. Both options cover the same teaching content and placement experience, so you can qualify at a pace that fits your schedule while still gaining all the skills you need for QTS or QTLS.
Yes. Prior teaching or classroom experience can be a real advantage, but it isn’t required to start the PGCE. If you already have experience, it can help strengthen your application and give you extra confidence when you begin your school or college placements. Your tutors will help you build on what you know and develop the full range of skills you need to progress as a trainee teacher.
During your PGCE, you will complete practical placements in schools or colleges relevant to your course. Primary and Secondary PGCE students will gain experience in different classroom settings across local schools, helping you develop your teaching skills and confidence. Further Education and Skills PGCE students will complete placements in colleges or sixth form settings, giving you real-world experience teaching learners aged 16 and above.
During your PGCE, you’ll receive extensive support to help you succeed in your school or college placements. This includes:
- Personal tutors and school-based mentors: Your personal tutor provides academic and pastoral guidance throughout your course. On placement, you’ll work with a professional mentor for overall development and a subject mentor for day-to-day teaching support and feedback.
- Learning development tutors: Help with academic skills, presentations, assignment feedback, time management, and exam preparation.
- Wellbeing and mental health support: Access one-to-one support, workshops, and courses through Student Wellbeing to manage stress, anxiety, or other challenges.
- Occupational health support: Guidance for physical, mental, and social wellbeing, including referrals to specialist services if needed.
- Disability and additional learning support: Advice and assistance with reasonable adjustments, specialist study skills, and assistive technology.
- Library support: Subject-specific librarians, one-to-one appointments, and 24/7 access to resources.
- English language support: Pre-course English courses and In-Sessional English (ISE) programmes for continued language development.
With this range of support, you’ll feel confident, prepared, and fully supported as you gain hands-on teaching experience.