Postgraduate Diploma Secondary Education (QTS) - English

Start date
September
Duration
36 weeks
UCAS code
Q3X1
Course Type
Postgraduate, Taught

The Postgraduate Diploma in Education (English) leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and offers 120 credits towards our MA Teaching Studies. Our specialist programme, which offers high quality training and support, will prepare you to teach in the 11-18 age range and is run in close partnership with schools.

On the Postgraduate Diploma Secondary Education (QTS) English programme you will be challenged to develop informed and justified decisions about how you approach your teaching in order to enable you to continue to develop over the course of your career. On successful completion of your PGDipEd, you may return to study with us on a part-time basis to complete your Masters in Teaching Studies.  

On this PGDipEd programme you will benefit from our unique collaboration with the University of Birmingham School as well as a wide range of partner schools, including mixed comprehensive, single sex, religious and selective schools and sixth form colleges. These diverse communities we serve will enrich your experience on the programme. 

Secondary English is also offered as a School Direct programme with St Paul’s Caritas Christi and Windsor Academy Trust

You may be eligible for bursaries of up to £15,000 (depending on qualifications) in line with the government’s priority to attract more well qualified English teachers.

The School of Education at the University of Birmingham has a long tradition of delivering teacher training courses. Its teaching has been graded as 'outstanding' three times by Ofsted inspectors which affirms the University’s status as one of the UK’s leading institutions for excellence in teacher training. The PGDipEd English programme has an excellent and proven track record. It is rigorous and challenging, forming an excellent preparation for a successful career in teaching English. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Equal Opportunities

The School of Education and University of Birmingham is committed to equal opportunities in the access to and provision of education. For more information please see the following documents:

Details of our other PGDipEd subject areas may be found on  the main Postgraduate Diploma Secondary Education course page.

 

My best career tip is "Don’t lose sight of why you came into teaching. For every tough moment/day, there are so many more amazing ones!"

Carissa Bulman, English Teacher

Fees

Fees for 2023-2024 are:

£9,250 (UK), £21,150 (International).

When you apply for this course, it is important that you also take into account living costs and should ensure that you will have sufficient funds to finance the full duration of your studies. Our PGDipEd programmes include a significant amount of time spent on placements in a variety of schools at different locations, and so when budgeting to study you should also allow for travel to and from placements, as well as textbooks, printing, photocopying and stationery that you may need.

Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan

With or without a bursary, you can also access a  Tuition Fee Loan to cover your tuition fees and a Maintenance Loan for your living costs. The available loans for 2022-2023 are:

  • a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £9,250 to cover your fees
  • a Maintenance Loan of up to £12,667 to support your living costs

Additional financial support

If you have children or a disability, extra funding is available. For instance, you could get:

Find out more information on the  extra financial support available

For further information contact the School directly or visit the Funding, Graduation & Awards Office via online enquiries. 

How To Apply

Apply online through DfE Apply

Course code: Q3X1

The Interview process 

Selection is rigorous and designed to identify candidates with the strongest aptitude. Candidates selected for interview will be invited to:

  • meet course tutors
  • find out more about the course
  • have a one to one interview
  • show GCSE and Degree certificates (where these are available).

We work closely with partner schools to select candidates and applicants will often have the opportunity to meet senior colleagues from partner schools when they join us for interview day.  

Our Standard Requirements

  • All applicants to the Secondary PGDipEd (QTS) English course must hold a degree from a UK Higher Education Institution (or have an equivalent qualification). This will normally be a minimum 2:2 classification and this will be a condition of any offer where the degree has not already been awarded.
  • At least half your degree should be in English. Graduates with degrees in Classics with an A level in English Literature are also invited to apply. If the degree is in English Language, a good pass in A Level English Literature will be required.
  • You must also have a GCSE in Mathematics and English (Grade 4/C or above) or an equivalent qualification which must be attained before making your application. Equivalency tests will be accepted but only from equivalency testing

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact us on ITEadmissions@contacts.bham.ac.uk

You must also:

  • complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before taking up a place.
  • complete relevant checks to ensure you have the health and physical capacity to teach.
  • agree to abide by the University of Birmingham Code of Professional Conduct and Fitness to Practise.

International Requirements



Equivalent GCSE grades

International Students

English Language requirements

IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band
PTE Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
TOEFL - 88 IBT overall with no less than 20 in Listening, 21 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing
Cambridge English Advanced: 176 overall with 169 in each component

The Postgraduate Diploma Secondary Education (QTS) English programme runs from early September to late June. 

PGDipEd programme information (this is for guidance only and is subject to change).
Number of weeks Programme of activities

Before the course

Pre-course learning

4 weeks (from mid-September)

University Work including some work in schools (SD students will have school induction prior to this)

12 weeks

School Placement 1 (Including School Half Term and 3 University Days)

2 weeks

Christmas Vacation

1 week

Review week

2 weeks

University Work

7 weeks

School Placement 2 (Including School Half Term and 1 University Day)

2 weeks

Easter Vacation

9 weeks

School Placement 2 (Including School Half Term and 1 University Day)

1 week

University Week

The programme includes the study of subject-based teaching methods as well as the study of broader whole school issues. A variety of teaching styles and approaches to learning will be used in the presentation of the themes. These include University-based lectures, small group seminars and workshops, school-based work with pupils and teachers, and work undertaken individually or with other groups of students.

You will benefit from a specialist programme, working with a subject tutor and peers, developing a professional network which will sustain you into your career. All key areas of teaching English will be covered, including speaking and listening, reading, writing, grammar, media and drama. Teaching at post 16 level will also be taught. Our Professional Enquiry course provides breadth and depth of insight across key themes such as learning theories, assessment, equalities, inclusion and teacher health and wellbeing. An additional PSHE award is also available to all students.

During your serial practice and school placements you will apply what you have learned and continue your learning through observing experienced teachers, team teaching with peers and teachers, and supported solo teaching with your own classes. As the course progresses, you will develop increasing confidence and expertise in selecting from a repertoire of learning activities that are supported by appropriate use of resources and technology. This will maximise the learning outcomes for pupils.

The School of Education collaborates with the University of Birmingham School to offer a number of activities designed to enhance pupil experiences of learning English and your experience of learning to teach English. Examples of these activities include field trips, master classes and small group teaching. 

You will complete six modules, five of which will require a written assignment. For the final module, University tutors and school-based mentors will share the assessment against the Teachers’ Standards for the award of QTS. You will have a personal academic tutor to guide and support you, as well as a dedicated subject mentor in both placement schools.

The University of Birmingham English PGDipEd (QTS) course is highly regarded across Birmingham and the West Midlands. We have an excellent record of students gaining jobs at the end of the course. Many of our ex-students have gone on to become Heads of Departments, Senior Managers, advisers and University tutors.

 

 

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