PGCE Secondary Geography with History
A109The University of Winchester has a long history in teacher education and is recognised by Ofsted as an ‘Outstanding’ provider. The University offers a stimulating and supportive learning environment that challenges and inspires trainees. Our passion is to provide a university experience that helps you reach your full potential and make a real difference to your pupil’s lives.
Course overview
Throughout the course, you develop an understanding of both the theory and practice of teaching Geography (as your ‘major’ subject) and History (as your ‘minor’ subject) using a range of learning and teaching approaches. Training as part of a PGCE Humanities cohort, who train to teach two of the three Humanities subjects (Geography, History and RE), you are supported in developing practical classroom skills in teaching your major and minor subject and in the teacher’s wider professional role.
Our programme prepares you to teach across the age range 11-16 and is structured around a combination of taught modules based at the University and placement modules based in schools or educational settings. Classroom practice is assessed through placements, totalling 120 days. You also have the opportunity to gain Masters level credits (up to 60 credits).
The teaching team includes University staff with specialisms in Geography and History and in Initial Teacher Education; local authority advisers and staff; diocesan advisers; and secondary school teacher tutors. Students are supported through a combination of face-to-face university-based teaching and directed self-study/ research. Seminars and workshops are supported by school-based tasks to enable theory and practice to be integrated.
We place significant emphasis on enabling you to apply your learning to teaching in the classroom. During your teaching placements you will have the opportunity to work alongside some of the best and most inspiring teachers predominantly in Hampshire secondary schools. We also offer a number of placements in neighbouring counties, such as Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire and Surrey.
A sustained reputation for providing outstanding teacher education. Rated Outstanding in all areas in our 2024 inspection.
What you need to know
Course start date
September
Location
On campus, Winchester
Course length
- 1 year full-time
Apply
A109
Typical offer
A first or second-class honours degree
Fees
From £9,250 pa
Course features
- Obtain Qualified Teacher Status with Ofsted outstanding-rated initial teacher training
- Teach Key Stage 3, GCSE
- Cover the essential areas of behaviour management, special education needs and English as an additional language
- Gain experience of planning, teaching, assessing and evaluating your practical teaching
- Be informed by current research and grounded in a practical understanding of Holocaust Education, the teaching of emotive and controversial issues, and citizenship
- Option to gain Masters level credits
- Accredited by the Department for Education (DfE)
Course details
Suitable for applicants from:
UK, EU, World
Work placements
The course includes school experience totalling 120 days.
Learning and teaching
Start date: September
Teaching takes place: Daytime
The teaching team includes University staff with specialisms in Geography and History and in Initial Teacher Education; local authority advisers and staff; diocesan advisers; and secondary school teacher tutors. Students are supported through a combination of face-to-face university-based teaching and directed self-study/ research. Seminars and workshops are supported by school-based tasks to enable theory and practice to be integrated.
Attendance regulations
There is a requirement for students to complete 120 days in school - students cannot be recommended for QTS unless we have evidence that they have completed these days. The penalty for not completing 120 days in school is that they cannot be recommended for QTS but students can still receive the academic award. For more information about our regulations for this course, please see our Academic Regulations, Policies and Procedures library.
Location
Taught elements of the course take place on campus in Winchester.
Assessment
All modules are assessed either by assignment or by achievement of success against the teachers' standards during school experience. Assignments are varied to capture students' differing strengths and include essays, presentations and portfolios.
Feedback is given for all assignments in order that students can improve their academic writing as the programme progresses.
School placements are assessed through lesson observations. The observations include detailed feedback, usually made by the class teacher and a university link-tutor.
Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.
We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes.
Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found by attending an open evening or contacting our teaching staff.
Feedback
We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.
Further information
For more information about our regulations for this course, please see our Academic Regulations, Policies and Procedures section.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Department for Education (DfE) for the purpose of delivering initial teacher training programmes to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Modules
Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing. The University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed. For further information please refer to winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions
Modules
This module will develop critical understanding of what it means to be a teacher in the mid 2020s and some of the policy and societal issues that inform and shape the role. Key theories, or ‘big ideas’, underpin the module, forming strands of learning that will be explored during curriculum sessions. Students will be introduced to the professional expectations and responsibilities associated with being an educator. They will develop their understanding of key pedagogies, planning and assessment and the importance of reflective practice.
As part of this module student will receive additional, mandatory sessions relevant to their route
This module will introduce students to the structure, key concepts and specialist subject knowledge of curriculum subjects. Informed by research and contemporary policy, students will examine teaching approaches likely to engage children and promote learning. Students will explore one area of the curriculum for their assignment.
The module focuses on understanding child development and meeting individual needs. Students will engage in current issues relating to inclusion and additional needs and will develop some specialist knowledge of specific learning requirements. In addition, students will consider the role of other adults, parents and agencies in protecting children’s social, emotional and educational wellbeing.
Whilst on school-based professional placement, students will be guided and supported by a teacher mentor. Students will become familiar with the class and school policies and plan and teach groups and whole class lessons focusing on explaining and modelling, and establishing positive learning environments. They will progress to whole class teaching and rehearse and refine effective behaviour management and assessment strategies. Students will engage in continual reflective practice, collecting evidence and evaluating and recording their personal and professional progress. Students will engage in ITAP sequences as part of this professional placement.
Entry requirements
A First or Second Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in Religious Studies, Theology, Philosophy, History, Geography or a related field in Humanities.
GCSE English language and mathematics at grade C or 4 or above, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the University.
- You will need to provide original certificates to the University. If you only hold a ‘statement of provisional results’ and do not hold original certificates, please contact the relevant awarding body to obtain a ‘certified statement of results’ as soon as possible. Further information about obtaining a replacement exam certificate is available on the gov.uk website.
- Functional Skills, Key Skills, Adult Numeracy and Adult Literacy qualifications are not accepted by the University as GCSE equivalents.
- If you do not hold GCSE qualifications, please contact us to confirm that we are able to accept the qualification you hold.
Additional Requirements
If you are offered a place after attending an interview you will need to meet the following additional requirements. The University will send you more information about when and how you need to complete each of these tasks if you accept our offer.
- Obtain enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance check after accepting an offer. Please note, the cost of the clearance check is covered by the applicant (£40 at the time of publishing). If you interrupt your studies and return the following academic year you may be required to pay for a new DBS clearance check.
- If you have spent over 6 months outside the UK in the last 5 years you will be required to obtain criminal records checks from each of the countries you lived in for over 6 months continuously. Further information about obtaining a criminal records check from outside the UK is available on the gov.uk website. Please note, obtaining criminal records checks from other countries can take a long time.
- You will also be required to complete an occupational health check to confirm that you are fit to teach.
- All applicants are also subject to checks against the Secretary of State’s Teacher Prohibition Orders.
Childcare Disqualification
Student teachers who are enrolled on an initial teacher education programme at the University, including school-led programmes, which involve placement in a primary school or setting in its later years provision and/or early years provision (nursery and reception classes) need to be aware of the following requirements: Childcare Disqualification.
How to Apply
The way to apply for postgraduate teacher training in England has changed. You can now use Apply for teacher training, a new GOV.UK service.
Apply for teacher training is easy to use and gives clear guidance to help potential teachers make strong applications.
To learn more about the new service and to get help with your application, visit Get into Teaching.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions about the course or studying at Winchester, please get in touch using our Ask a Question form and we will get back to you shortly.
If English is not your first language: IELTS 7.0 overall (including 7.0 in academic writing) or equivalent is required.
If you have completed your qualifications outside the UK, the Department for Education (DfE) are able to help you obtain a UK National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) statement of comparability for free. For further information, please visit the get into teaching website.
We will look for evidence of a commitment to the teaching profession, an understanding of professional requirements, and an awareness of current educational issues in an application. Prior experience in a school is not required, however prospective students may find experience in a school useful for obtaining insights into the primary education classroom. Experience in a school or similar setting may also provide reassurance to prospective students that teaching is the right choice for their career.
We will also look for you to demonstrate competency in Fundamental skills in English and mathematics during the selection process.
If you meet all of the above criteria or are expecting to meet the criteria prior to the course start date, you have a strong chance of being invited to interview.
If you have spent over 6 months outside the UK in the last 5 years you will be required to obtain criminal records checks from each of the countries you lived in for over 6 months continuously. Further information about obtaining a criminal records check from outside the UK is available on the gov.uk website. Please note, obtaining criminal records checks from other countries can take a long time.
If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by emailing our International Recruitment Team at International@winchester.ac.uk.
Additional costs
2025 COURSE TUITION FEES
UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man
Full-time
Total Cost: £9,250
If you are a UK student starting your degree in September 2025, it will cost £9,250. Remember, you don't have to pay any of this upfront if you are able to get a tuition fee loan from the UK Government to cover the full cost of your fees each year. If finance is a worry for you, we are here to help. Take a look at the range of support we have on offer. This is a great investment you are making in your future, so make sure you know what is on offer to support you.
International Students
Full-time
Total Cost: £16,700
International part-time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £139.17 and a 15 credit module is £2,087.
Additional costs
As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities.
Mandatory
Placements
The programme includes a significant number of days on placement, these placements may be closer or further from your home than the University of Winchester. Currently the University expects students to travel up to 90 mins to reach their placement and to cover the costs of travel themselves.
Disclosure and Barring Service
All students who accept an offer for this course are required to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance check. Please note, the cost of the check is £49.50 and covering the cost is the responsibility of the student.
In addition to the check, all students are strongly encouraged to sign up to use the DBS Update Service [https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service] for the duration of their course. Students who fail to sign up to the Update Service may be required to complete and pay for an additional check during their course which may affect their ability to engage successfully with placement.
SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS
Bursaries of up to £9,000 are available to trainees with a Geography ‘major’ to 'Bursaries of £25 000 are currently available to trainees with a Geography 'major'.
We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our Scholarships and Awards section.
CAREER PROSPECTS
The programme leads to a PGCE Secondary Geography with History with a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Graduates go on to obtain teaching positions in various secondary schools and other school settings (such as special schools, independent schools, pupil referral units and sixth form colleges) as highly successful humanities teachers and future leaders.
OUR CAREERS SERVICE
Winchester is renowned for Outstanding teacher training. The lecturers are extremely knowledgeable and I've been able to implement lots of ideas from the course into my teaching pedagogy. The placements reaffirmed my love for teaching and helped prepare me for the future - from broadening my experience, to developing skills in planning, to growing my confidence as a well-rounded teacher.
