PGCE in Secondary Education History

About the course

This Masters level professional training programme introduces you to the requirements for teaching History to the 11-16 age range and leads to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status. Where appropriate, opportunities to experience post 16 provision will be available.

You will be introduced to the principles and theories of secondary teaching through both subject studies and a developing professional practice course. Training is undertaken in partnership with local secondary schools.

We are looking to select trainees who:

• have the passion, commitment and enthusiasm to teach in secondary schools

• are resilient and able to work under pressure

• have good subject knowledge to train to teach in the area they are interested in

Why choose this course?

The University of Hertfordshire is a leading regional provider of Initial Teacher Training. Consistently high achieving in its Ofsted inspections, it is recognised as a very good quality training provider by local employers. Graduate employability is high. 

Rated Good by Ofsted 2023, the Ofsted report highlighted that ''The University of Hertfordshire ITE programme is thoroughly planned and carefully sequenced. This ensures that the curriculum is ambitious and provides trainees with the knowledge and skills to teach their chosen subject effectively''.

The programme is structured to allow you to develop the skills required by a secondary History teacher, and to develop specific expertise for making a distinctive contribution to secondary practice.

The strengths of our PGCE secondary programmes are the high levels of pastoral care and support we offer trainees. We also have effective partnerships with schools, which enhances trainees' subject knowledge and conceptual understanding of teaching and ensures our trainees achieve good levels of attainment.

In addition, this qualification is worth 60 Master's-level credits (one third of a Master's degree). Following completion of the PGCE you can top-up part-time to a Master's degree in Education.

10th for teacher training in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, Advance HE, 2023).

What will I study?

A wide range of teaching and learning methods are used. Tutor led sessions will include lectures, seminars and workshops, where active participation is encouraged. Twenty-four weeks of the programme are spent in local partnerships schools.

This enables you to benefit from the knowledge and expertise of a team of practising teachers who lead key sessions as well as support you in your school-based training where you develop your classroom expertise.