There are few careers more rewarding than teaching. It takes creativity and dedication to inspire children and young people, but the sense of satisfaction you’ll feel at the end of a working day is incredible.
Are you considering studying a PGCE or Further Education and Skills Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching? Unsure whether it is right for you? We have put together a useful guide below to show you the benefits.
Why should I train to teach?
Enviable salary and holidays
Teachers with qualified teacher status (QTS) will get a minimum starting salary of £31,650, which rises as you become more experienced. All students of our PGCE courses will gain recommendation for QTS. There are few qualifications where you can earn above the graduate national average straight after leaving university.
No other profession has holidays quite like teaching. With 6 weeks paid summer holiday and half term breaks. You can have a great work life balance as a teacher.
Get paid to learn
There’s plenty of scholarships available for aspiring teachers. The Government will pay up to £29,000 in bursaries for selected secondary PGCEs. For certain subject areas, you may be eligible to apply for a Teacher Training Scholarship worth up to £31,000. We can help you look into the funding available to see what you might be eligible for.
Make a difference
Teaching isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to inspire minds and change futures. There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing you have made a difference to so many lives. Sitting in your classroom could be the entrepreneurs and innovators of tomorrow. Each interaction counts. And no two days will be the same. It’s a career with built-in variety as you teach new topics, new curricula and get to work with children and young people each year.
Work anywhere in the world
Our PGCE’s are accredited by the Department for Education and are an internationally recognised academic qualification. This means you will be able to teach almost anywhere in the world, from International Schools to other English-speaking countries like Canada and Australia. Opening up a range of exciting prospects you might not have considered. And great if you want to work and travel the globe after your studies.
Enhance your career prospects
Teaching is a highly transferable skill. It is well respected and has great employability and progression pathways. You could start as a teacher and become a Head of Department or Headteacher. Studying a PGCE can help you with all aspects of teaching. From teaching practices to research and theory, you will cover and understand it all.
At Edge Hill University, 96.7% of PGCE graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes data released 2023 from 2020/21 graduates). Thinking about studying for a Masters degree too? A PGCE can award up to 60 credits towards a full Masters degree. This is usually 180 credits.
Develop your personal skills
PGCEs and Further Education Diplomas will help increase your independence, self-motivation and confidence. You will oversee a classroom and will need to be able to make quick decisions, communicate effectively, manage your own time and create your own lesson plans. Get stuck in and learn from your experiences first-hand.
Increase your subject knowledge
If you’d like to build on your undergraduate degree and delve deeper into your subject, then a PGCE is for you. You’ll be able to specialise in a specific area of secondary education or broaden your knowledge to deliver a variety of subjects for primary education. And teachers don’t just share their existing knowledge. It’s an opportunity for lifelong learning too, keeping on top of the latest trends and technologies.
You don’t have to complete a PGCE in the same subject as your undergraduate degree either. Edge Hill’s free Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) courses can help you bridge the gap if you want to complete a PGCE in a different subject area. They are available for Secondary PGCE and Primary Mathematics Specialist PGCE applicants.
The SKE programmes identify areas for development and provide a range of opportunities for additional study tailored to your individual needs. SKE courses are completed before your PGCE starts, so you can arrive in confidence with all the skills you need.
Find like-minded people
During your time studying a PGCE or Further Education Diploma, you will be surrounded by people just like you. Everyone there will want to benefit their career in a specific area. Make deeper connections and network with your fellow students and tutors. Your PGCE or Further Education Diploma class is your team.
Studying at Edge Hill University gives you more than professional practice in the classroom. Spend time in group discussions and reflection with your tutors and fellow students. Immerse yourself in the knowledge around you to become an outstanding teacher.
Why study at Edge Hill University?
Edge Hill began life as a teacher training college for women in 1885. Having trained teachers for almost 140 years, we’ve earned an amazing reputation within the sector and have most recently been graded Ofsted Outstanding.
We’re proud to be one of the first universities to be rated outstanding across all three initial teacher training age phases. The glowing report stated that “trainees at Edge Hill flourish” and reflects the commitment of Edge Hill – the largest Initial Teacher Education (ITE) provider in the North West – to deliver the highest quality education and support for its trainee teachers.
Throughout our time we have developed relationships with over 2,000 partner schools, colleges and other settings. These partnerships allow us to provide top-class opportunities for our students. Professional practice is an essential element of any PGCE or Further Education Diploma, giving you an excellent experience throughout your training.
Not all of our partners are traditional schools. You can experience education in SEN schools, hospital schools and forest schools, so you’ll be more than prepared by the time you graduate. As one of the largest providers of professional qualifications for teachers, many PGCE students return to specialise in areas including dyslexia and dyscalculia.
Edge Hill’s Ormskirk campus is home to a £9 million Faculty of Education building. Housing a stimulating learning environment with a 300-seat lecture theatre, ICT suites, teaching rooms and a cafe. In addition, the Faculty of Education Piazza building is now the base of Secondary and Further Education and Training provisions.
Learn more about why to study at Edge Hill.
Fees and funding
The Department for Education has a number of bursaries available. You may be eligible to receive a bursary worth up to £29,000 by joining selected Secondary PGCE programmes.
Instead of a bursary, you may be eligible to apply for a Teacher Training Scholarship. These prestigious awards, worth up to £31,000 for the academic year 2025/26, are aimed at outstanding graduates who are passionate about their subject and have the potential to be inspirational teachers.
Find out more about bursaries and Teacher Training ScholarshipsReady to apply?
Ready to start a PGCE or Further Education and Skills Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching? You can apply online through GOV.UK. You’ll need to prepare some key information to ensure your application is accurate and stands out from the crowd.
This includes:
- Proof of your degree equivalent to UK first-class or second-class honours (2:2 or above)
- Proof of your GCSE English Language or English Literature and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent qualification)
- Personal details and contact information
- References
- Personal statement
- Work experience details
- Details of adjustments needed
You’ll also need to apply for DBS and medical clearance as soon as possible, so you can start in a school on placement right away and not miss a second of the experience.
You may wish to find out more about the application process. To find out more about the PGCEs available at Edge Hill, visit our website or contact our Couse Enquiries team on [email protected] or call on 01695 575171.
FAQs
Contact
If you have any questions about studying for your PGCE or Further Education and Skills Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching at Edge Hill, please contact Course Enquiries.
August 30, 2024
