Secondary Modern Foreign Languages with QTS (11-16) PGCE
GOV.UK code: D210
Hola! Do you have a passion and enthusiasm for languages? Can you inspire the next generation of learners to develop their Spanish alongside another modern foreign language? If yes, then our Secondary PGCE Modern Foreign Languages with QTS may be for you. On completion of this course, you’ll gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Overview
| Course length: | 1 year full-time |
|---|---|
| Start dates: | September 2025 |
| Location: | Edge Hill University |
| Subject(s): | Education and Teaching |
| Faculty: | Education |
| Department: | Secondary and Further Education |
There is a growing need for young people to develop the communication skills to enable them to thrive in an increasingly global world. The inclusion of Modern Foreign Languages as a core EBacc subject in schools means there is an ongoing need for those who have the expertise and passion to engage young people in a love for learning a language. You’ll learn the subject pedagogy to develop your understanding of how to plan and deliver an effective lesson in the languages classroom.
Learn to lead in the classroom
You’ll develop your reflective and analytical skills, as well as boosting your own subject knowledge. To prepare for teaching languages within the secondary phase, you’ll also get lots of hands-on experience in the classroom and in settings throughout the Edge Hill partnership where Spanish is the predominant language taught.
During your placement, you’ll work alongside your languages tutor and school-based mentor. They’ll help you apply your university learning to your own teaching and be there for you whenever you need support.
Successful completion of the programme leads to a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Course features
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Ofsted outstanding provider for Initial Teacher Education
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Professional accreditation
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Professional practice placements
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International students can apply
What you'll study
At the start of your course you will complete an audit of your subject knowledge. This way you can identify your areas of strength and those you need to develop.
You’ll study the Modern Foreign Languages curriculum, including techniques and resources used in schools, educational theory, as well as innovative teaching and assessment methods. Discover how to plan a lesson effectively and how to incorporate lively, interactive techniques to help your students develop confidence and self-esteem with their speaking and listening skills.
To prepare for your future as a teacher, you’ll also learn about professional roles and responsibilities, as well as polishing your academic skills.
How you'll study
A combination of academic and technical study, group discussion and reflection, and practical, work-based learning in the classroom will give you all the knowledge and skills you need to become a creative and innovative teacher. The programme aims to develop a reflective and critically analytical approach to education. You’ll benefit from experienced and knowledgeable tutors and colleagues based in schools within the Edge Hill partnership.
You will undertake extensive placements in schools, putting your training into practice through assisting in and taking responsibility for classes, and working alongside mentors and peers to further your professional development. The focus initially is on observation and supporting teaching and learning. Your teaching timetable will increase as your training progresses and you become more confident and competent in the classroom.
You will also undertake Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) as a specific and focused element of our teacher training curriculum. This is designed to consolidate your knowledge of effective teaching, and enable you to rehearse and obtain feedback from experts on your practice. Our ITAPs are designed to utilise the latest research and technology as well as draw on the outstanding mentors, tutors, and teacher expertise from across our partnership.
Over the course of your training, you will have the opportunity to participate in several days of Intensive Practice focusing on aspects of pivotal practice such as; behaviour management, scaffolding, professional behaviours and questioning.
During periods of ITAP, your timetable may differ and you may be required to attend campus and/or a placement on days outside of the usual pattern.
How you'll be assessed
You will be assessed, through a balanced combination of coursework and portfolio assessments, against both academic criteria and the standards related to QTS. Various other tasks will enable you to show your competence in numeracy and literacy as well as computer science and information technology, including creating an interactive teaching pack and undertaking action-based research.
Your professional practice will conclude with a final viva that will allow you to demonstrate appropriate achievement against the Teachers’ Standards in order to allow us to make a recommendation for QTS.
Who will be teaching you
The Faculty of Education has been at the forefront of teacher education for over 135 years and today enjoys the enviable position of being one of the country’s leading providers of education, training and research for the children’s workforce.
The programme is managed and developed by a team of experienced tutors all of whom have experience of teaching in schools.
The Edge Hill lead mentors and mentor leadership team play an important part in your teacher training as experts in their field. They have a deep knowledge of the trainee curriculum and support trainees and mentors to make progress providing guidance and support on aspects of the curriculum and assessment.
Entry criteria
Entry requirements
Please note we are currently recruiting for a Spanish intake for the 2025/26 cohort only.
To join this PGCE, you will be expected to have:
- A degree equivalent to UK first-class or second-class honours (2:2 or above) in a relevant languages degree which must include Spanish.
- GCSE English Language or English Literature and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent qualification)
- Satisfactory levels of Information and Communications Technology competence
- A commitment to, and understanding of, secondary education, demonstrating the personal attributes, values and motivation required to train as a teacher.
Please note, for the purposes of initial teacher training, level 2 literacy and numeracy qualifications are not considered as equivalent to GCSE Grade C or Grade 4 in English Language or English Literature and Mathematics.
An interview forms part of the selection process, which can be conducted online or face to face.
If you accept a formal offer from Edge Hill University you will be required to meet the Department for Education’s standards for physical and mental fitness to teach and clearance to work with children. Further information, including a Declaration of Health questionnaire and details of how to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.
English language requirements
International students require IELTS 6.5, with a score no lower than 6.0 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.
If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.
How to apply
Apply full-time
Read our guide to applying for PGCEs and Postgraduate Teacher Training to find out more about the application process.
International
Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.
There’s plenty of opportunities to come take a look around campus. Attend one of our open days to see what life at Edge Hill University is all about.
Book an open day
Facilities
The Faculty of Education enjoys the enviable position of being one of the country’s leading providers of transformative education, training and research for the teaching and education workforce. Housed in a state-of-the-art £9m building, the Faculty of Education enjoys a stunning setting from both its lakeside and piazza buildings.
Facilities in the lakeside building include a 300-seat lecture theatre, five well-equipped ICT suites, and 18 teaching rooms complete with the latest technology.
Our nearby piazza building houses our Research Hub and our Secondary and Further Education department including a lecture theatre and a number of seminar rooms.
Where you'll study
Faculty of Education
Finance
Tuition fees
UK Full-Time
£9,535
for the course
International
£17,000
for the course
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.
Your future career
This PGCE is accredited by the Department for Education. Successful completion of the programme will enable you to gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
You’ll be ready to progress into employment as an early career teacher of Modern Foreign Languages at secondary school level. Our proactive careers service can help you to find job vacancies. They also offer in-depth advice on teacher job applications and interviews.
Your academic and professional experience will also mean you could progress onto MA or MRes study. After that, you might even decide to work towards your PhD.
