Subject Knowledge Enhancement Courses for PGCE

Overview

Training to become a teacher but have gaps in your subject knowledge? Boost your confidence and build your understanding with our Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) courses.

We offer Self-funded or Department for Education funded courses. If you are eligible for Department for Education funding you could even be eligible for financial support while you complete your course.

The course can be taken before or during a teacher training programme. Our courses are flexible to suit your schedule.

Please note: This course accepts Home, EU and International students.

These courses are delivered by our Centre for Continuing Professional Development (CCPD).

CCPD's courses are designed to develop professional skills and enable career opportunities. All courses are fully supported by our dedicated CCPD team and led by experts in their fields.

Course details

What can I study?

You can take an SKE programme in French, Spanish or English.

If you're looking for an SKE programme in Science or Maths, please visit the Government's SKE Course Directory.

Structure

Courses range from 8 weeks to 28 weeks depending on your prior knowledge.

French: 8, 12, 16, 20 or 28 week courses
Spanish: 8, 12, 16, 20 or 28 week courses
English: 8 or 12 week courses

Course costs and funding

This programme can be funded by the Department for Education, so if you meet the entry requirements you won’t need to pay any fees. You could also be eligible for a bursary of £175 for each week of the course.

Self funded costs:

8 week course - £1,600
12 week course - £2,400
16 week course - £3,200
20 week course - £4,000
28 week course - £5,600

What you'll experience

The SKE programme is taught online to allow flexibility in when and how you learn. A typical week will include 25 hours of learning, which includes:

interactive online learning
timetabled group learning
a weekly individual tutorial support session

If you choose to undertake a blended learning course, there will be a full day interactive masterclass on campus in Portsmouth every 4 weeks. This allows you to engage in deeper learning on a specific area.

If you choose to take a fully online programme, the masterclass materials will be provided via our virtual learning environment for you to work on at your own pace.

Entry requirements

You must have received a place on an Initial Teacher Training course. You are likely to be eligible for an SKE if you have:

a degree that’s related to the subject rather than an exact match for it
studied the subject at A level, but not degree level
an unrelated degree but relevant professional knowledge in the subject
studied for a language degree, but need a second language at an acceptable level for teaching in schools
a degree in the subject but haven’t used your degree knowledge for many years

Unfortunately if you’ve been awarded a degree in your chosen ITT subject within the previous five years you won’t be eligible for a funded SKE course.

How to apply and course dates

To apply for a Subject Knowledge Enhancement programme (SKE), find your course and duration from the list below and we'll process your application. You can submit an application at any time of the year.