PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education / Professional Graduate Certificate in Education)
This is the most popular route into teaching. There are now two PGCE routes into physics teaching.
The first is the new Physics with Mathematics PGCE. This is not yet offered by all providers so check with your chosen university.
Science PGCEs are classified by specialism: physics, chemistry or other science (mainly biology). However, each teacher training centre will offer its own range of courses: some offer a PGCE Physics, others may have PGCE Science with Physics or indeed PGCE Physics with Science!
The course itself is a mixture of training based at a Higher Education Institute and at least 24 weeks teaching in schools, usually carried out as two placements in different schools. For a list of institutions offering physics PGCEs, search on the GTTR website.
Our short film about a Physics PGCE course
Entry requirements
You will need either a physics or physics-rich undergraduate degree and physics at A-level (or equivalent). You may be asked to take a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course as a pre-requisite to being accepted.
You should mention that you’re interested in SKE in your PGCE application and be aware that not all PGCE providers offer it. If in doubt, phone up the tutor at the training provider you are interested in to find out your options.
Duration
The course usually lasts for one year and is full-time, although several HEIs offer ‘flexible’ courses that last up to 3 years.
Qualifications
There are actually two different PGCE qualifications, Postgraduate Certificate in Education and Professional Graduate Certificate in Education, both leading to Qualified Teacher Status. However the former includes more academic work and would give you credits towards a masters degree should you chose to study further in the future.
Bursary
UK and EU resident students are eligible for a training bursary when undertaking a physics PGCE. Being one of government’s priority subjects, physics, along with maths and chemistry are given the highest bursaries of all teaching subjects. The bursary amount is determined on your degree classification.
If you have a first class degree you will receive £20,000, a 2:1 £15,000 and a 2:2 £12,000. These bursaries are tax-free and paid in monthly instalments during your course. For full details refer to the TDA’s bursary information.
Please note though that, in addition to this, you will be charged tuition fees by the teacher training centre. The exact cost varies between institutions but UK and EU students may be eligible for a loan to cover the cost.
Scholarships
You may be eligible to apply for an IOP Teacher Training Scholarship which are worth £20,000 and are awarded instead of the national training bursary.