Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

This is a professional course of training for teaching in secondary schools and is available in English, Welsh, Modern Languages, History, Geography, Drama and Science subjects.

The qualification obtained by those who successfully complete a PGCE course is recognised as conferring Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) on those who intend to teach in England and Wales. It is also accepted in many other countries as qualifying you to take up a post in school teaching.

You will bring to the course many of those skills you will need as a teacher; what we can help you to do is to apply those skills to teaching and to deepen the understanding which will enable you to become an effective practitioner. 

At Aberystwyth, we can offer you:

  • An environment which postgraduate students find attractive, congenial and friendly
  • The opportunity to study on PGCE courses which have been praised by HM Inspectors in their most recent inspection report
  • A range of features which make the Aberystwyth PGCE courses distinctive
  • A School which prides itself on taking a personal interest in both the welfare and the professional development of its students
  • A University which has a long tradition of courses of training for prospective teachers but is also very much in touch with recent and current trends in education
  • A close and effective partnership with training schools, established over many years

Entry Requirements

In England, PGCE students must pass skills tests in Numeracy, Literacy and ICT, even though they already have GCSEs or the equivalent on entry. Entry requirements in Wales are the same as for England, but there are NO skills tests in operation in Wales at the moment. Trainees are audited in their skills levels, and where necessary they are given support to improve until they reach the standards required for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).   The QTS gained at institutions in Wales is fully equivalent to that for England, and is recognised by the DfES. All trainees gaining QTS in Aberystwyth will be qualified to teach in England and Wales as well as in may other countries. Students gaining QTS in Wales are able to undertake their induction year in England.

In order to be considered for an interview for one of our Secondary PGCE courses you will need to have gained:

  • a single or joint honours degree of at least 50% of which is in a subject which is directly relevant to the teaching of your subject in the Secondary school - See individual subject pages for further details about this.
  • a grade C or above in GCSE English and mathematics or equivalent.

Ideally, you should also have experience of working, either in a paid or voluntary capacity, with children or young people.

North and Mid Wales Centre of Teacher Education

From 2010 all Initial Teacher Education and Training will be provided by the North and Mid Wales Centre of Teacher Education. Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities will work collaboratively under the Centre name to provide training in PGCE Secondary subjects within this region.

The course in which you have shown an interest will only be available at Aberystwyth during the University based weeks (12 weeks in total during September, January and June). However, the school experience element of the course (24 weeks, which includes placements at two different schools) will be available across the region in partnership schools.

You may wish to carry out your teaching practice in a particular area and we will invite you to indicate your preference during the application process. In placing you, we will endeavour to place you in the area of your choice.

Therefore, you are invited to make an application as usual through the GTTR website. following the link to your subject choice at the Aberystwyth University provider site (or Bangor University provider site for a course available in Bangor).

Good luck with your application. If we can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us through e-mail to pg-admissions@aber.ac.uk or by contacting us on the following number (01970) 621957