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“At the University of Bolton, we take great pride in providing a quality, supportive learning environment for our students.” Professor George E Holmes DL | President & Vice Chancellor
“...tutors are very supportive and you’re not just a student ID number, at this university you are an individual with a name.” Ellisse Vernon | BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing
This course is 'Subject to Approval' and has not yet completed the University’s approvals process.
Whilst we are confident that the course will be approved, there is the possibility that the course
may not run or may be subject to alterations. This course is due to be validated by August 2024 after
which we will write to all applicants who have applied for the course to let them know the
outcome and of any changes. In the event that a course is not approved the University
will make reasonable efforts to offer an alternative course at the University.
PGCE Secondary (11-18) Computing
This PGCE Secondary (11-18) Computing with QTS will support you to gain the skills and knowledge needed to teach computing in the secondary sector and inspire the next generation of young people. Combining university and school-based experience with expert tuition from our experienced educationalists, this ITT course aims to ensure you can learn what it takes to teach.
Key information
Award:
PGCE
Mode of Study:
Full-time
Duration:
1 year
Location:
University of Bolton
Start date:
02/09/2024
Course Details
From September 2024, the University of Bolton has entered into an exciting partnership with Bath Spa University. Therefore, you will complete your course and be awarded your PGCE qualification (in your specialist subject area) from the University of Bolton and at the end of the course, Bath Spa University will be responsible for recommending you for QTS. This connection combines the extensive experience of two key providers in Secondary provision, supporting your progress and success on this PGCE Secondary programme at the University of Bolton.
This master's level Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programme offers you a range of experience in secondary schools. You will gain knowledge of diverse socio-economic settings and students with different needs and abilities. Your subject-specialist mentor will support you throughout your training, and university tutors will help you develop research-informed approaches to teaching in secondary schools. Our bespoke programme and modules allow you to develop your teaching knowledge and understanding whilst building on your knowledge of the Computing national curriculum and support your teaching during your placements.
There is a national shortage of computing teachers (1). Aligned with the Department for Education Teachers' Standards and Core Content Framework, our PGCE M (Secondary 11 - 18) Computing with QTS offers you the opportunity to step into a rewarding career as a secondary school teacher. This PGCE ensures you will have access to a minimum of 120 days of school-based experience that will build your practical expertise. When you successfully complete your PGCE and school-based training, you can be recommended for the award of QTS (Qualified Teacher Status).
This programme offers you the opportunity to gain a PGCE (Secondary 11-18) Computing and Qualified Teacher Status.
School-based experience is a core component of this course, and you will undertake at least two teaching placements, totalling a minimum of 120 days' experience in local secondary schools.
Our highly qualified and dedicated Education team offers a wealth of teaching experience in the secondary sector.
Our specialist subject studies sessions enhance your learning programme to support you in exploring and developing your skills in teaching computing and are aligned with the national curriculum.
Key Features
This is a pre-service Initial Teacher Training course. You do not need prior teaching experience or current employment in education.
The University of Bolton is one of the largest providers of teacher training for further and higher education in the UK, sitting at the heart of an extensive network of educational partners.
During the course, you will have the opportunity to gain diverse placement experiences in other institutions to enhance your professional development.
By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes Bolton an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.
Professional recognition
The programme is aligned with the Department for Education's Teachers' Standards with a final award of PGCE with QTS (upon successful recommendation).
You must have at least a lower second class (2:2) honours degree (or equivalent). If this is not in a subject aligned to computing then you may be required to complete a Subject Knowledge Enhancement Programme (SKE) to ensure you meet the minimum subject expertise to begin your Initial Teacher Training. A further skills audit will identify subject specialist skills and will inform your action plan for your training programme.
You must also have GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent) including English and Mathematics. This is a DfE requirement. Please contact us for a list of acceptable GCSE equivalents.
If your qualifications aren’t from a recognised UK education institution, advice will be taken from the International Office on comparability.
You'll be required to attend a selection day as part of the application process. This will involve a presentation of the course overview, a discussion on current educational issues, a reflection on your subject specialism skills, a teaching presentation, and a face-to-face interview. You will be sent pre-interview tasks to complete.
You’ll need to satisfactorily pass a fitness to practice assessment.
Prior to enrolment on the course, you'll need to provide at least two recent and satisfactory references, a satisfactory health declaration, and a satisfactory student agreement.
This course involves working unsupervised with children and/or vulnerable young people and adults and you must gain an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting your studies. Charges are payable to cover the cost of the DBS Enhanced Disclosure application and annual registration with the online Update Service.
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
If you have a degree and wish to pursue a career in teaching computing (and related subjects) in secondary schools, then this course is for you. It offers a strong grounding in teaching computing and examines how this can support a career as a secondary school teacher. Some key transferable skills you could gain include planning, time management, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, analytical and modelling skills, research and self-discipline.
What can I do with this qualification?
This course offers you an exciting opportunity to turn your passion for computing into a career in teaching. Graduates of this course will be qualified to teach Computing in secondary schools.
Teachers are often employed by state-maintained schools, where your employer is usually the local authority. Alternatively, you may be directly employed by an institution. This will be the case if you choose to work for an academy, free school, independent school or college.
After graduation, you may wish to undertake further study. Popular topics include education management, theory and policy. You could follow a master's in education, pursue a PhD by research or study for a professional doctorate, options which you can pursue with the University of Bolton.
Alternative career options
This course is designed to give you Qualified Teacher Status and entry into the teaching profession. However, as a graduate, you will also be able to use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. For some of the roles listed below, relevant experience and/or alternative postgraduate study may be required.
Risk analysis
Insurance
Data analysis
Market research
Data engineer
Project management
Statistics
Banking
Educational consultancy
Youth work
Community education
Early years
Education administration
Learning mentor
Social work
Careers advice
Family support
Play therapy
Student services
Educational writing
Course fees
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the
restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in
September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our
Course Search.
Useful information
As a trainee teacher, you may qualify for help to fund your studies from the Department for Education (DfE). Please visit the Government's Get Into Teaching Funding my teacher training webpage for more information.
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year:
EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status.
If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement.
Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the
normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in
March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
Additional costs
There may be some additional or optional costs associated with this course. These will be published after approval of the programme.
For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:
You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen
start date from the list below:
You should have to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course –
you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be
someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format.
Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page.
If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data
you have already input.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394
or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the
restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in
September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our
Course Search.
We aim to support your progress towards successfully meeting the DfE Teachers' Standards so that you can be recommended for the award of QTS when you complete the course. Rather than offering formal 'lectures', we prefer to engage our students in small groups. This allows our teacher trainers to model and share good practice effectively and offer you personalised and meaningful support.
You will be expected to participate in individual and group work during classroom sessions, and we will offer tutorials to supplement class-based learning. For some elements, we will use specialist equipment to develop and consolidate your practical teaching skills ready for the secondary sector. We will encourage you to reflect on your practice and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Reflective practice is an effective way to support your progress and help cement your learning.
Our assessment strategy supports your professional development and reflective practice. The modules are assessed in various ways, including portfolios of evidence of lesson planning and teaching resources, written essays, reflective writing, collaborative work, and presentations.
School-based experiences will be arranged for you and form a core component of the programme. Your learning and progress throughout the PGCE will support your learning and progress towards your recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status. During school placements, your teaching practice will be measured and assessed against the Department for Education Teachers' Standards and documented through session planning, observation reports and reflective journals.
You will receive informal feedback on your performance to help you assess your progress and improve your practice, as well as formal assessment that will contribute to your overall grade for the course. You will evidence your progress on our online learning platform. This will form the portfolio of evidence for you to be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status if you successfully meet the Teachers' Standards at the end of your course.
Disclaimer
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
