Postgraduate Diploma Secondary Education (QTS) - French

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At the University of Birmingham we believe we should provide student teachers with the highest level of teacher training possible, and this is why we offer a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDipEd) rather than a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Both qualifications lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) but the PGDipEd also offers 120 credits at Master’s level (out of 180), which makes it a highly rewarding course by combining both theory and practice. 

Our PGDipEd (QTS) in Modern Foreign Languages (main subject: French) is held in very high esteem by all those who work with us: the partnership schools, the MFL teachers, Ofsted and our students who year after year say that they find the challenge exciting and our support outstanding. We aim to help you develop into a well informed, critical teacher so that your own teaching personality can blossom. Our success and employment rates are considerably higher than the national average for Modern Foreign Languages teacher training courses in England. If you are serious about a career in Modern Foreign Languages teaching then the University of Birmingham is the place to train.

Course fact file

Type of Course: Taught

Study Options: Full time

Duration: 36 weeks

Start date: September

Details

Please find full details on the PGDipEd (QTS) in Modern Foreign Languages webpage

Modules

Please find full details on the PGDipEd (QTS) in Modern Foreign Languages webpage

Fees and funding

Fees for 2013–14 are: £9,000 (UK/EU full-time), £13,200 (overseas full-time). 

Learn more about fees and funding

Scholarships and studentships
Home/EU students will be eligible to apply for statutory support from their relevant funding agency. Government training bursaries may be available depending on your subject and degree classification.

For further information contact the School directly or the Student Funding Office via online enquiries.

Entry requirements

Ideally we expect candidates to: 

  • either hold a good honours degree with at least 50% of it in the language they wish to teach (French/) OR be native speakers of French and hold a good honours degree in that language or another subject; 
  • offer a second foreign language (at a lower level than their main one is ok). We encourage all our linguists to develop a second foreign language and learn to teach it if possible, however it is a requirement that Spanish candidates should have French as a second foreign language and be able to teach at KS3; 
  • have spent a substantial amount of time in a country where their main foreign language (French) is spoken and be familiar with the English education system (some experience in an English school is a plus and will help you answer some of the questions better at interview).

All candidates also have to:

  • have a GCSE in Maths and English (grade C or above) or an equivalent qualification; alternatively they might be advised to take an Equivalency Test 
  • pass Professional Skills Tests in numeracy and literacy; please see the Professional Skills Tests section of the Department for Education web site for more information on the core skills required by trainee teachers
  • provide a satisfactory medical form 
  • complete an enhanced DBS/police check
  • complete a Declaration of Suitability to Teach
  • adhere to a Code of Professional Conduct and Fitness to Practise 

How to apply

Apply online through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry website. Applications can be made from mid September for the following September start and there is one intake per year. You can apply throughout the year although the course is often full by Spring. We therefore, recommend you apply as early as possible.