ASP._Page_site_elements_razor_entry_records_course_record_cshtml

What makes PGCE Secondary Psychology at Worcester so special?

Push the boundaries of your own understanding and actively explore dynamic learning experiences to bring Psychology to life.

The course focuses on practical learning through activities, which may include:

  • planning and performing the “Oedipus and Electra” play
  • using technology to engage and motivate
  • designing and delivering a research day with partnership schools
  • working with partnership schools in University
  • exploring psychology in the outdoor classroom

You will also have the option to develop the skills to teach a second subject.

Overview

Overview

Key features

  • Prepare to teach GCSE and A level Psychology in an engaging, exciting and motivating way to develop skills, intellect and values, passing on your enthusiasm
  • Develop expertise in teaching a second subject
  • Push the boundaries of your own learning
  • Actively share ideas and support each other
  • Use Psychology as a vehicle to explore classroom motivation, learning styles and differentiation.

Note: Psychology is offered through both Core and School Direct routes.

  • Register your interest
    Enter your details below and we will keep you up to date with useful information about studying at the University of Worcester.
Entry requirements

What qualifications will you need?

Entry requirements

  • Honours degree normally (2:2) of a United Kingdom higher education institution or equivalent qualification, with at least 50% Psychology.
    Applicants with a 3rd class degree will be considered on an individual basis.
  • Grade C/4 at GCSE in English Language, Mathematics and Science (or equivalent) passed at the time of entry.
  • A Level Psychology is desirable but not essential
  • School experience is desirable, but not essential prior to an interview. At interview we will discuss relevant prior school experience or opportunities applicants have had to work with school aged children. It is at this point that we would discuss with a candidate whether additional school experience would support an individual in their decision that teaching is right for them

Qualifications not listed? Contact the Admissions Office for advice by email: AdmissionsA@worc.ac.uk

If you have lived, studied or worked overseas for three months or more in the last five years a Certificate of Good Conduct from the country of residence will be required. Further information and guidance associated with additional costs are available from the Home Office.

You will also be subject to the usual prohibition list and criminal record checks.

The DfE requires all trainee teachers to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check, which you will need to pay for.

Professional skills tests

All applicants for teacher training courses need to take the numeracy and literacy professional skills tests as part of the application process. You will need to ensure you have passed them both before the start of the course.

The tests are required in addition to your mathematics and English GCSEs, and are designed to show that you have the basic levels of literacy and numeracy needed to teach to a national standard. They will not test your knowledge of the curriculum or how to teach.

The first three attempts at taking your skills tests in each subject are provided free of charge.

Support we offer

We offer free skills tests workshops if you have accepted a place on the course. If you are unsuccessful on your first attempt of the skills test then we will also provide one-to-one support in both numeracy and literacy.

Find out more about our skills tests workshops and support.

Group shot of PGCE Psychology trainees

I felt fully supported and know how much effort this took. I really appreciated the fact that you chose schools that matched our personality as this experience' helped me to find another similar job that was right for me.

Trainee

Book your place at an Open Day

Want to know why so many students love living and studying in Worcester?

Our open days are the perfect way to find out.

Book your place
Course content

What will you study?

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative. 

Subject Knowledge with a Deep Understanding
  • Enrich your subject knowledge drawing on the expertise of tutors with national and international research profiles in partnership with school mentors with excellent current practice in your specialist area.
  • An excellent teacher requires confident subject knowledge and an understanding about how pupils learn. The majority of your time in university is in subject workshops.

Specialist Subject Opportunities
  • Plan and teach a research methods day for Year 12 students in a local school.
  • Use technology to create innovative methods of teaching and assessing.
  • Teach a second subject to enhance your CV.
  • Develop networks with experts from each of the exam boards.
  • Work with teachers and pupils from local sixth forms at the University.

Pedagogy
  • Understand and apply theory and research on how children learn and develop.
  • Explore a range of teaching styles and ways to organise a classroom.
  • Discover how to promote progress through observing, planning, teaching and assessing learning.

Professional Studies
  • Explore a range of practices and wider issues of education.
  • Understand equality and develop inclusive teaching strategies.
  • Develop your research skills as teachers with these skills are capable of bringing about change.

Enhancement activities
  • Gain expertise through one of our unique Enhancement Activities: Citizenship; English as an Additional Language; Special Educational Needs and Disabilities; Technology Enhanced Learning.

School Experience
  • Grow through at least 120 days placement in our strong school network across the counties. Experience at least 2 contrasting schools.
  • Be supported and challenged by our blend of school-based Mentors and Personal Academic Tutors.

Your career
  • Become a reflective self-evaluating practitioner.
  • Enjoy great employment prospects; our support takes you from trainee to NQT and onwards.
  • Prepare for leadership and your Masters with 60 credits and a strong research foundation.

I have been supported thoroughly throughout my training by my subject mentor.

Trainee

Teaching and assessment

How will you be taught?

PGCE students doing group practical work

Teaching approach

  • 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 discussion, peer presentations and debate.
  • Directed studies, case studies and problem solving tasks; development of 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 first class Firstpoint services
Students doing practical group task

Assessment

  • Assignments are carefully designed to develop your skills as a teacher.
  • Assessments that move from highly structured to more open briefs as you develop your professional skills.
  • The opportunity to develop skills as a research informed practitioner.

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.

Judy Miller

Judy has practical teaching experience across a range of settings including primary, secondary and residential special schools; she has taught a variety of subjects but her main expertise is in teaching psychology.

She joined the University in 2008 and prides herself on bringing Psychology to life. She is an author in the field.

Judy takes an active interest in the progress of all her trainees and continues to support them beyond their PGCE year.

"Observing other psychology trainees was greatly beneficial - not only learn new teaching techniques but remind myself we are all in the same boat and still find things difficult!"

Trainee

Careers

Where could it take you?

PGCE student on placement

To date, employment rates are outstanding. All trainees have secured employment before the end of their training, with many of them now taking on leadership roles within schools either as Head of Department or in a pastoral capacity. Others have moved on to become Educational Psychologists or are working in Special Education.

  • Great employment prospects (100% in 2017)
  • Prepare for leadership and your Masters with 60 credits and a strong research foundation
  • Many University of Worcester trainees gain promotion within the first few years of teaching
Cover of the 2020 University of Worcester prospectus

Request or download a prospectus

Request now
Costs

How much will it cost?

Full-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard tuition fee for full-time UK and EU students registering in the academic year 2019/20 will be £9,250 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

International students

The standard tuition fee for full-time international (non-EU) students registering in the academic year 2019/20 will be £13,300 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Teacher training funding

You can get help with the costs of teacher training. A student finance package will include a Tuition Fee Loan and a Maintenance Loan. You may also be eligible for extra help if you have children or are disabled.

Most courses are also eligible for a tax-free bursary or scholarship depending on your subject, degree classification or highest academic qualification.

Additional costs

Every course has day-to-day costs for essential books, stationery, printing and photocopying.

Travel costs for placements vary depending on the location of schools and your mode of transport, sometimes these may be reclaimed depending on your individual circumstances.

We organise occasional visits to increase subject knowledge. Travel costs are at your own expense but we do encourage car sharing. In addition there is sometimes a fee but this is not normally more than £20 in total.

In addition, we encourage you to join subject specific associations. The cost is typically between £25 to £50 for which you benefit from their support, guidance and resources.

The DfE requires all trainee teachers to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check, which you will need to pay for.

Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience, and our welcoming student communities are great places to live and study.

We have over 1,000 rooms across our halls of residence. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Hall' at £102 per week to 'En-suite Extra' at £165 per week (2019/20 prices).

For full details visit our accommodation page.
How to apply

How do you apply?

Part-time route

You can apply to study this course on a part-time basis.

The part-time route runs for 4 school terms and starts in September each year. You will spend terms 1 and 2 in one school and terms 3 and 4 in a second school. In the first 3 terms you will typically spend 3 days per week on the course, either in school or university. Term 4 will be full time in school.

The bursary will be spread across four terms, and the fees will be the same as the full time route.

For more information get in touch via details below. You can also discuss this route in more detail at interview.

Applying through UCAS Teacher Training

UCAS Teacher Training is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto PGCE courses 

Read our How to apply pages for more information on applying and to find out what happens to your application.

UCAS Code

C8X1

Apply Via UCAS

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Admissions office

admissions@worc.ac.uk
01905 855111

Secondary PGCE Office

secondary@worc.ac.uk

Judy Miller

Personal Academic Tutor
j.miller@worc.ac.uk
01905 857538

School of Education - Similar Courses

National Award SENCo (NASENCO) PG Cert Education (Special Educational Needs Coordination)

Postgraduate

National Award SENCo (NASENCO) is a statutory award for newly appointed SENCOs in maintained schools. It is fully validated as a University of Worcester award and provides 60 credits at Masters level.

PGCE - Primary Mathematics

Postgraduate

The course is led by experienced academic staff who are at the forefront of developments in mathematics teaching - so your learning is shaped by those helping to shape education itself.

PGCE - Secondary - Geography

Postgraduate

We'll encourage you to think in a new ways and to develop expertise in teaching directly from the real world. Showing you how to plan and deliver lessons outside the classroom.

PGCE - Secondary - Science: Biology

Postgraduate

We place an emphasis on experiential learning, where trainees undertake a wide range of activities then get the opportunity to plan how to deliver this in the classroom.