We have an excellent reputation with schools in the region and have been training highly skilled, inspirational secondary teachers for over 75 years.
in the UK for Quality Education
Training bursary available for this subject*
We’ve been rated as ‘Outstanding’ in training primary and secondary teachers, the highest possible grade a provider can receive.
First for jobs
The University of Worcester is first in the UK for sustained employment, further study or both, five years after graduation (excluding specialist institutions) - Longitudinal Educational Outcomes Survey 2024.
Overview
Our postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) will prepare you to become an inspirational Design and Technology (Food) teacher with varied school placements, interactive lesson simulations and tailored tutor support.
At Worcester, you’ll experience placement in two different secondary school environments, teaching a range of secondary year groups, whilst receiving support from a subject mentor and University tutors.
When not on placement, you’ll be taught through a mixture of lectures, interactive subject sessions and workshops. In our interactive sessions, our tutors will model effective teaching strategies in our fully equipped Food Science lab. There, you can complete your Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety Course to support your teaching.
You'll get the unique opportunity to join the Worcestershire Food Cluster Group to network with other Food and Nutrition and D&T teachers to collaborate ideas. Your course peers will have had a range of backgrounds, so you'll work together to share your skills, experiences and build confidence.
Beyond the classroom, you’ll also get the opportunity to select one of our enhancement activities, these allow you to pursue a subject that's important to you – from Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to teenage mental health.
When you successfully complete the course, you’ll receive Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), this means you will be recognised by the Teaching Regulation Agency as a fully qualified teacher.
Placements
You’ll complete a minimum of 120 days of placement, teaching in two different schools, so you can experience a wide range of age groups and learning environments. There will also be additional school visit days where you can explore practical strategies for the classroom, with opportunities to practice, rehearse and then implement in school.
We have a strong relationship with over 100 partnership schools, where you will be supported by subject specialist mentors. School mentors are experienced teachers who we work with to make sure you get the highest quality, placement experience.
Regional Training Hubs
You can apply to study a PGCE directly with the University or with one of our partner Regional Training Hubs.
These Regional Training Hubs are networks of schools working together to train teachers. When you apply through a hub you will do a mix of training at their sites and at the University, and the hub will organise your placements within their network of schools.
"Trainees benefit from an exceptional learning experience at the University of Worcester. This experience instils in them a deep-rooted commitment to making a difference to the lives of the children and young adults in the communities they serve."
Course content
School experience is a substantial and integral part of the course, and you will have visit days and block placements in terms one, two, and three. The full-time course has 36 contact weeks in total, with 24 weeks of those weeks being spent in partnership schools. In addition, up to eight days will be spent in schools focusing on specific teaching skills.
Indicative themes explored through the course content are outlined below, although regular updates mean that exact modules may differ.
We regularly review our courses to reflect the latest research and developments in the subject area, as well as feedback from students, employers and the wider sector. As a result, modules may change to ensure the course remains current and relevant.
Careers
This course will qualify you to teach in secondary schools across the UK. Most of our students quickly find jobs after graduation, thanks to the confidence they’ve gained on the course, the connections they make on placement and our excellent reputation with schools in the Midlands region.
Many of our graduates go on to work in schools a Food and Nutrition or D&T teachers but our graduates also pursue leadership roles within schools, as curriculum leaders, special educational needs coordinators, key stage leaders, deputies, or head teachers.
The PGCE is an internationally recognised teaching qualification and can widen your opportunities for a career overseas. You’ll be able to seek work in countries such as America, Australia, and Canada.
Course highlights
Teaching and assessment
Teaching is a mix of interactive seminars, classroom simulations, and one-to-one tutorials. Alongside this, you’ll be supported by university staff and school mentors when out on placement. Your assessments will prepare you for a career as a teacher, and include creating a learning resource, delivering a presentation, and writing reflective essays.
Teaching and assessment contents
The PGCE Secondary programme enables all trainees to become autonomous learners. The course is designed to support trainees of varying experience, needs, and backgrounds, to develop key transferable skills, and to disseminate good practice in learning and teaching. To achieve this, we closely monitor the quality of your experience in university and on placement.
The course includes:
- School experience in a range of settings
- Professional Studies sessions in school and at university
- University-led workshops, lectures, seminars, fieldwork and guest lectures
- Study of key texts and supplementary reading
- Participation in high-level professional discussions, peer presentations and debate
- Directed studies, case studies and problem-solving tasks, which develop practice-based competence and skills of critical reflection through guided individual mentoring during placements
- One-to-one academic and personal tutorial support, including access to our excellent Library services and first-class Firstpoint services
Training enables you to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to teach within the subject specialism and age phase for which you are training. All successful trainees will meet the Department for Education Teachers' Standards (2013). These postgraduate programmes with QTS are designed to meet specific requirements laid down by the DfE and against which judgements by OFSTED inspections are made. It is also informed by and reflects the most recent legislation concerning the well-being of children and young people expressed in government legislation regarding Special Educational Needs and Disability and equality and diversity.
All trainees must spend 120 days in at least two different schools or colleges. We find these placements for you and your subject tutor will visit you whilst on placement and deliver taught sessions in university.
Meet the team
You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course.
You can learn more about the staff by visiting our staff profiles.
Sue Parker-Morris
Sue worked in the catering industry before moving into a career in teaching. Her experience includes middle management roles in a range of secondary schools, leading and developing Food Preparation & Nutrition and teaching both Food and Textiles. She then joined the University as a senior lecturer and subject lead for Design & Technology.
Sue established a ‘Food Cluster Group’ to help support Food teachers all over Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and Gloucestershire, in planning for and moderating the Food Preparation & Nutrition GCSE.
Sue Parker-Morris
Sue worked in the catering industry before moving into a career in teaching. Her experience includes middle management roles in a range of secondary schools, leading and developing Food Preparation & Nutrition and teaching both Food and Textiles. She then joined the University as a senior lecturer and subject lead for Design & Technology.
Sue established a ‘Food Cluster Group’ to help support Food teachers all over Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and Gloucestershire, in planning for and moderating the Food Preparation & Nutrition GCSE.
Sue Parker-Morris
Sue worked in the catering industry before moving into a career in teaching. Her experience includes middle management roles in a range of secondary schools, leading and developing Food Preparation & Nutrition and teaching both Food and Textiles. She then joined the University as a senior lecturer and subject lead for Design & Technology.
Sue established a ‘Food Cluster Group’ to help support Food teachers all over Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and Gloucestershire, in planning for and moderating the Food Preparation & Nutrition GCSE.
D&T food course experiences
Case studies
Sophie Davis
Following the completion of my undergraduate studies in education at University of Worcester. I made the decision to pursue my passion of food and to become a teacher of food technology. Though I never intended to become a teacher, I chose to pursue teaching after working as a full-time level 2 swimming teacher for a gap year prior to completing my undergraduate degree. I later changed my path and enrolled in Worcester's PGCE programme to focus on food and nutrition.
My PGCE journey has not been easy due to personal reasons. However, thanks to the support and encouragement I had from my university lecturers, school mentors, and friends during the course, I completed it and got my first teaching post at a lovely school in September.
Callum Staite
I am so pleased that I chose the University of Worcester as my training provider; all the worries quickly disappeared once I was welcomed by the PGCE team. The subject sessions are meticulously planned by the subject mentor to build on the knowledge we already had, and then apply this within a school setting. This, alongside the professional studies programme, allows you build a toolbox of knowledge ready for you to apply it in the classroom during your placements.
Thanks to the support of the University, I have secured a job as an Early Career Teacher in my second placement school, and I cannot wait for September!
Bethan Philips
After completing my degree in Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition in Northern Ireland and working in the food industry for 2 years, I knew my next step was to complete my PGCE. I made the decision to move to the University of Worcester to study PGCE Design and Technology (Food).
I have enjoyed completing my PGCE at Worcester and the staff have been so supportive and the sessions run have been so informative, developing my subject knowledge and strategies to use in the classroom. I feel ready and well equipped to start my teaching career back in Northern Ireland where I have secured a job.
Molly Hobson
I have thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the PGCE thanks to the most supportive subject tutor who went above and beyond to ensure we got all of the support we needed. The course itself is well sequenced with excellent training, in a range of areas, that has made my subject and pedagogical knowledge strong.
Relocating from Northern Ireland, I never would have thought I would be staying in England but thanks to the welcoming and supportive network I have made through the University of Worcester, I am looking forward to staying here and starting my journey as an ECT.
I could not recommend the University of Worcester enough, if you decide to start your journey here, you will have a fantastic year!
Laura Fisher
I came across this course at University of Worcester after researching routes into teaching. I have an extensive background in hospitality and catering and was looking into becoming a food teacher. Sue (subject tutor) was so helpful and passionate about the subject and really confirmed to me that this was the career for me.
I fell pregnant at the beginning of my course and needed to take maternity leave halfway through. Up until I left, the team were so supportive and ensured that my time on the course was successful. I took 11 months off for maternity leave and university checked in with me until I returned. I received so much support when I returned to university and settled back into student and placement life. I have now secured a teaching position from September in my placement school and look forward to an extensive career in teaching.
Sinéad Vallely
Prior to starting my PGCE at University of Worcester, I worked as a classroom assistant in a local Secondary School. From this I developed a passion for working in a secondary school setting.
Having had the opportunity to visit Worcester, I knew that it was the place for me, and I made the decision to relocate from Northern Ireland.
Worcester has equipped me with lifelong skills and qualities that I will carry with me throughout my professional career and life. I have had multiple opportunities to network with other professionals in the Worcestershire County and this will be massive support as I embark on my ECT years.
I am extremely grateful for the amazing hands-on experiences and for the lifelong friends I have made through this course, and I am so excited to start my career.
Cara O’Brien
After completing my undergraduate degree in food science and nutrition I wanted to take a next step in my career. The PGCE at the University of Worcester focusses specifically on food; which was perfect for me!
The University of Worcester and its tutors have supported me throughout all phases of the PGCE course. Both the subject and professional studies have been extremely valuable and have given me the knowledge and confidence I need to move forward into my ECT years and future career. I feel well-equipped to begin my future as a teacher after studying here and understand what being a teacher is all about.
Sophie Davis
Following the completion of my undergraduate studies in education at University of Worcester. I made the decision to pursue my passion of food and to become a teacher of food technology. Though I never intended to become a teacher, I chose to pursue teaching after working as a full-time level 2 swimming teacher for a gap year prior to completing my undergraduate degree. I later changed my path and enrolled in Worcester's PGCE programme to focus on food and nutrition.
My PGCE journey has not been easy due to personal reasons. However, thanks to the support and encouragement I had from my university lecturers, school mentors, and friends during the course, I completed it and got my first teaching post at a lovely school in September.
Callum Staite
I am so pleased that I chose the University of Worcester as my training provider; all the worries quickly disappeared once I was welcomed by the PGCE team. The subject sessions are meticulously planned by the subject mentor to build on the knowledge we already had, and then apply this within a school setting. This, alongside the professional studies programme, allows you build a toolbox of knowledge ready for you to apply it in the classroom during your placements.
Thanks to the support of the University, I have secured a job as an Early Career Teacher in my second placement school, and I cannot wait for September!
Entry requirements
Honours degree, normally 2:2 or higher from a United Kingdom higher education institution or equivalent qualification, in a relevant subject area. Applicants with a 3rd class degree will be considered on an individual basis.
GCSE grade C/4 in English Language or English Literature and Mathematics, or equivalent qualifications. We do offer an equivalency test if you don’t have the required GCSE grade to apply for our courses.
Trainees who begin courses before providing evidence of the required GCSE standard (or equivalent) will not be eligible for financial incentives, such as bursaries or grants until they achieve the required standard.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please call our Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.
Fees
Fees contents
UK
The Government has announced that it will increase tuition fees and maintenance loans by 3.1% from the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 the standard tuition fee for full-time UK students on a PGCE will be £9,535 per year*.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
International and EU students
The standard tuition fee for full-time international and EU students enrolling on a PGCE in the academic year 2025/26 will be £17,900 per year*.
*Please note that for EU students who are not in receipt of a UK government bursary/scholarship package, the fee is £9,535 per year (subject to approval of the government's fee increase).
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
How to apply
How to apply contents
Applications for PGCE courses, both Primary and Secondary, should be made online through the government's Find Postgraduate Teacher Training website. The course code for Design and Technology (Food) is 3CPV.
Visit the Get Into Teaching website for detailed information on how to apply for a PGCE.
Start your application
Apply PGCE Secondary Design and Technology (Food)You can also apply to study a University of Worcester PGCE with one of our partner Regional Hubs.
Contact
If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.
Secondary PGCE Office
secondary@worc.ac.ukAdmissions Office
admissions@worc.ac.uk01905 855111More to explore
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