Geography PGCE
London, Bloomsbury
Ages 11 - 16 Secondary
There has never been a better or more important time to train as a geography teacher in London, one of the most diverse and exciting cities in the world. The course provides a well-balanced experience in schools, university and fieldwork. You will develop the professional knowledge, skills and expertise for a rewarding career, joining a vibrant geography education community, preparing young people for the changing world. The course includes knowledge of pedagogy and curriculum at A Level (Key Stage 5), preparing you to teach at all levels of secondary education.
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
Duration
Programme starts
Applications accepted
Applications open
Early application is advised as programmes may close as soon as places are filled. Applicants should check the for the latest vacancy information.
Skills
This course will give you everything you need to face the classroom, both the pedagogical theory and the practical skills to be an inspiring teacher.
Support
Our gradual immersion approach will introduce you to the classroom progressively, from one pupil to the whole class.
Experience
Placement in very diverse, carefully chosen schools will allow you to learn from different contexts and be prepared to teach in any school.
Start teaching
With a PGCE you can start teaching as soon as you complete the course and are recommended for Qualified Teacher Status.
IOE, ¹û¶³Ó°Ôºâ€™s Faculty of Education and Society, has been ranked 1st for Education in the QS World University Rankings by Subject for the past decade (2014–2023).
Structure
The programme is taught through a mix of face-to-face and online sessions, (including keynote lectures and debates, presentations, discussions, and classroom group tasks), and a practical teaching element based in two schools. Students are required to read widely and to carry out written assignments in their own time.
Students will also take part in specific activities that provide the opportunity to focus on specific, pivotal areas of our curriculum. These opportunities (totalling 20 days of ITAP) will strengthen the link between theory and practice and provide students with specific feedback to support their progress in these pivotal areas.
We have identified four placement days for ITAP. The remaining 16 days for ITAP will take place during IOE timetabled time.
Assessment is by practical teaching, assignments and portfolio tasks. Throughout, you have excellent support to succeed from your school mentors and university tutor. There is no written exam but you will undertake two Master's level modules. These assignments draw on your practice giving scope for you to be creative, choose the exact focus, follow your interests in geography, education and tailor the work to the classes you teach on placements. The assignments help your reflection and evaluation of practice become critical and informed. In this way, you learn not just `what works' in teaching in a particular school, but to understand how to apply your knowledge and skills to different schools, and classrooms. This makes you a deeper thinking, more independent and resilient teacher.
The PGCE Geography course is a full-time programme. During university taught sessions, students are expected to be present all day. Students spend a minimum of 124 days on school placement and will be required to attend for full and entire school days, including pre- and post-teaching sessions as expected of a normal, full-time teacher at their placement school.
I found my time at IOE to be a very enriching experience in which I acquired in-depth knowledge of a range of educational philosophies, issues, and perspectives.
Modules
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You will undertake two modules at level 7 (Masters level) of 30 credits each and one Professional Practice module at level 6. The level 7 credits can be carried forward onto some full Masters programmes at IOE (check individual programme requirements).
When you are not undertaking face-to-face teaching at IOE, you will be undertaking at least 124 days of teaching practice in various Partnership Schools.
Throughout the year, you will also participate in specific activities at IOE and in school that focus on important areas of our curriculum. These activities (totalling 20 days with at least 4 days in school) will help you to better understand links between theory and practice. They will also involve feedback from experts so that your progress is supported in these pivotal areas. These days form part of your 124 days on placement.
Compulsory modules
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.
Upon successful completion of 60 credits and the Professional Practice module, you will be awarded a PGCE in Geography.
Fieldwork
The fieldwork experience will empower you to teach in real-world settings and develop essential fieldwork-leading skills. You will have the opportunity to engage in practical, hands-on learning by visiting Kew Gardens. You will also have a three-day residential stay in the Lake District, where you will learn how to lead geographical fieldwork activities at Key Stage 4 and 5.
School placements
Students will spend most of their time in two placement schools, working with geography mentors who provide strong support. We are fortunate to have a superb range of excellent schools with whom we work, across the region, with many outstanding mentors and strong geography departments.
The Professional Practice module is assessed through these placements, associated tasks and a portfolio.
During placement periods you should be prepared to travel to and from each school placement. It should be noted that there is variation in how accessible schools are, and whether they have parking facilities. However, if you let us know of any particular accessibility needs you have, we will endeavour to accommodate them.
We ensure your placement will provide fulfilling and valuable experiences through:
- A dedicated team who will identify the best schools for your placements
- Support and guidance from your university tutor and your school-based mentor
- School experience that allows you to progress at an appropriate pace for you
- Reasonable travel times from your home to your school
Making the most of your placement
Teaching is a demanding profession and student teachers can feel nervous about school placements or anxious about the workload. Your tutor and school-based mentor will help you navigate your school experience, ensuring that you have the input you need. Empathetic feedback and discussion about your developing professional practice will support you to be successful.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº buildings can be obtained from . Further information can also be obtained from the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Student Support and Wellbeing team.
Where you'll study
IOE, ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº's Faculty of Education and Society, is a world-leading centre for research and teaching in education, culture, psychology, and social science. We are one of the UK’s largest teacher training providers, offering a wide range of programmes across all phases of learning and more subjects than any other university. We also offer an extensive range of master’s programmes. Our research addresses society’s most important challenges and feeds into our teaching, enabling our graduates to go on to influence future generations for the better, from individual lives to societal change.
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