Swansea University Schools Partnership's integrated and rigorous PGCE programme will challenge you academically and professionally. The PGCE Biology programme aims to develop critical understanding of the nature of Biology and its position in the school curriculum. You will be encouraged to research and test your own approaches to Biology pedagogy to find those techniques that work best for you and for the pupils you teach. Students will be taught in our cutting-edge laboratory facilities on our campuses. Swansea University Schools Partnership is committed to developing research-informed reflective practitioners who can demonstrate creativity and flexibility in their teaching so that learners develop their Biology competence in an environment that cultivates enjoyment of the subject.
Course Details - Modules
The SUSP ITE programme comprises two modules:
Research-informed Reflective Practice (EDPM30) is largely university-based and will comprise the following:
• Core Studies: focusing on the overarching issues that drive policies within the Welsh cultural context
• Subject Studies: focusing on the specifics of pedagogy in your subject area, lesson planning, understanding your subject's place in the Areas of Learning and Experience (AoLE)
• Subject Knowledge Enhancement: Focusing on reviewing the curriculum requirements in your subject area and preparing you for the topics you may be teaching
• Professional and Pedagogical Studies: focusing on the implications for your subject area on whole school issues such as provision for children with additional learning needs, differentiation and assessment.
• Research Methods in Education: focusing on research methodologies suitable for educational purposes and preparing you for your close-to-practice research project.
EDPM30 carries 60 level 7 credits. Student teachers who complete 60 Level 7 credits can carry over the credits to our MA Education programme if they enrol within five years of successfully completing the module.
Professional Practice (EDP300) is designed to ensure that all student teachers develop a deep understanding of the how the Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership link to the Four Purposes of the new Curriculum for Wales. This module leads to the recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Student teachers will spend a minimum of 120 days on Professional Practice in two schools in the network within which they are placed, with additional opportunities in a range of complimentary settings. EDP300 integrates research with classroom practice through a Practice and Theory course delivered jointly by Subject Tutors and expert teachers in network schools. Subject Mentors and Subject Tutors will provide strong individualised support for student teachers working towards meeting the Professional Standard for Teaching and Leadership.
Course Details – Assessment Method
EDPM30 Research-informed reflective practice
Assessment for EDPM30 will allow student teachers to demonstrate that they have developed the high level critical thinking skills that will enable them to integrate academic and experiential learning.
Assessment 1: Critical reflection on lesson planning.
Student teachers will plan lesson with a clear, critical focus on the planning decisions they have made. This focus will involve critical engagement with academic and professional literature. The lesson will be taught and, having engaged in professional dialogue with their mentor, the student teacher will reflect critically upon then lesson and suggest any changes they would make to the plan. This critical reflection should demonstrate that they have a clear understanding of how the literature informs planning for specific outcomes in their subject and how the chosen lesson applies theory to practice. Student teachers will outline (i) the research literature that justified their choice of learning activities and (ii) how the lesson plan takes account of statutory Frameworks, (iii) other factors that contributed to enhancing the learning experience for pupils (e.g. seating plans, support from other adults). The final assignment will be a 3,000 word submission, with an appended lesson plan.
Assessment 2: Critical reflection on classroom management.
Student teachers will identify an area of classroom management they wish to improve or refine. They might draw upon professional dialogue with their mentors and class teachers, video recordings of their practice, personal reflection and so on to help them identity their area of focus. Student teachers will write a literature review on the chosen element and decide upon a plan of action based on their reading. They will then enact this plan in the classroom environment and provide a critical reflection of the strategies they employed. The final report will be a 3000-word submission.
Assessment 3: Close-to-practice research project report.
In assessment 3, student teachers will be required to identify a research question. Student teachers will develop a proposal for, and carry out, a small scale, close-to-practice research project designed to improve pupil engagement. The findings will be presented as a written report incorporating a literature review, methodology, analysis of data and discussion of findings. The report will critically reflect on interventions and strategies that were implemented in the project. The final close-to-practice report will be a 6000-word submission.
EDP300 Professional Practice
The assessment for EDP300 will allow student teachers to demonstrate that they have achieved the Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership and can be recommended for the award of QTS conferred by the Education Workforce Council. Student teachers will be required to provide evidence against each of the 32 QTS level descriptors set out in the Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership. During their teaching practice, student teachers will be presented with a range of experiences in different educational settings which are designed to ensure that they have more than one opportunity to gather evidence against each of the Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership in Wales. Student teachers will use the EWC Professional Learning Passport (PLP) to record evidence of achieving the Professional Standards. They will be able to upload evidence through the medium of English or Welsh in a variety of formats including sound files and video (with appropriate permissions) in addition to more traditional written submissions (e.g. lesson plans, schemes of work, teaching and learning resources, reflective diaries, research reports).
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
3FTZ
Institution code:
S93
Campus Name:
Singleton Park Campus
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
Applicants for the Secondary PGCE are required to have achieved the following prior to admission to the programme:
An honours degree at a minimum of 2:2 in a relevant subject, or a related subject with at least 50% relevant subject content;
Grade B GCSE in English/Welsh (students applying for the Welsh medium programme will be required to have a GCSE in Welsh);
Grade B GCSE in Maths
The GCSE Grade B in English/Welsh and Mathematics are a requirement set by the Welsh Government. However, we welcome applications from those with a GCSE Grade C in English/Welsh and/or Mathematics. Applicants with a grade C in GCSE English/Welsh or Mathematics who meet all other entry criteria may be accepted if they complete successfully an equivalency test. Due to the current COVID-19 situation, we are unable to follow our planned timetable of equivalency testing. Therefore, applicants will be expected to sit their equivalency test(s) during the PGCE academic year where they will be given up to 3 attempts. Should the situation change before the summer, we will restart our programme of tutorials and tests before the beginning of the academic year. Please note that applicants must pass their equivalency test(s) in order to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
All interviews will be held virtually (using Microsoft Teams) with a PGCE subject specialist through the medium of English or Welsh as desired. The format will consist of a short interview and professional discussion.
All PGCE students will complete a Digital Competence audit on enrolment and have digital competence training embedded into their PGCE programme of study.
All applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check. Applicants must not have been excluded from teaching or working with children nor be registered with the DBS as unfit for working with children or young persons (please see additional costs section).
All applicants must meet the requirements of the Education Health Standards (Wales) confirming their health and physical capacity to teach (please see additional costs section).
International applicants
Completing the PGCE programme in the UK does not provide ‘Leave to Remain’ status to work as a teacher within the UK. Applicants should familiarise themselves with the UK Visa and Immigration Service regulations and requirements that apply to study and post-study in the UK.
Successful completion of the Swansea University Schools Partnership Initial Teacher Education programme leads to (i) the award of a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and (ii) a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status and registration with the Education Workforce Council for Wales. Applicants should consult with the relevant education service or government department to enquire if completion of a PGCE in a UK University will allow them to teach in their home country or any other country outside the UK.
Applicants typically require an overall IELTS (or equivalent) test score of 7.0 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component (writing, reading, speaking and listening).
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
