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Education (Secondary RE) Graduate Diploma,Postgraduate Certificate (PGCE)

PGCE Secondary
The Course Programme Structure Staff Profiles Why YSJ ?

 

What resources will I have access to?

The Fountains Learning Centre houses the David Hope RE centre which contains teaching and learning resources. This centre is one of the major RE resource centres in the UK. There is a wealth of literature that can be used during school placements, as well as guidance and support for the practical development of teaching this basic curriculum subject. The regional Centre for Global Education is located on campus, providing a rich resource for cross-curricular links, teacher guidance and activities for use in school. Trainees complete school placements in our partnership schools. These schools offer excellent opportunities for high quality experiences and are supported by trained mentors from both schools and York St John University. The schools are located across a number of Local Authorities to ensure trainees experience diverse teaching opportunities.

 

What costs will I incur?

The fees are subject to review.

Please visit our tuition fees webpage for up-to-date information about fees

From September 2013, tuition fees for the programme will be £9,000.  On this full-time programme you won’t have to pay anything up front; your fees are simply added onto your student loan and are repaid when you are earning over £15,000.  All trainees may be eligible for further support from Student Finance England, in the form of a means-tested grant and TA bursaries.

Please find more information by clicking on the following links:

www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/funding/postgraduate-funding

More information on Full time and Part time funding »

A 10% discount is applicable to all YSJU Alumni undertaking PG level study

 

What will I study?

Trainees will study both Level 3 (Graduate Diploma) and Level 4 (Postgraduate Certificate) modules. Trainees who are awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in Education will be eligible to continue their studies towards a Masters degree on a part-time basis at York St John University. Professional modules studied will aim to develop the trainee from an entrant to an emerging professional within secondary education and consider appropriate theories of teaching and learning. Current issues in education will also be addressed and trainees will be expected to analyse and evaluate critically their response towards professionalism and the practitioner in the 21st century. These modules will be supported by school placements at key points during the programme.

 

School-based programme

Out of the 180 day programme, 120 are spent in schools working in partnership with each other and York St John University. About half of your school-based time is spent in classroom teaching practice, the bulk of this being in the summer term. It is a great privilege to be a mentor in a partnership school. York St John is continually providing relevant and necessary training for us and is hugely supportive of both the schools and the trainees.

"I genuinely feel that the trainees could not be better supported and equally it is wonderful to have such a close link to the University."

Di Illingworth
Mentor, Easingwold School

 

How will I be assessed?

There are no formal examinations and assessment takes the form of continuous assessment to include course work assignments produced as a result of professional practice, research and school based training.

 

External Examiner comments

Our external examiner said:

"Once again I was extremely impressed by the quality and nature of the partnership between the university and its partner schools. The degree of involvement by mentors in the shaping and reviewing of the programme is exemplary. Both trainees and mentors praised the high levels of support offered by university tutors. Trainees were particularly grateful for all the support they received from University staff whom they described as ‘expert practitioners’; who are ‘passionate about what they do’; who ‘really do care’; and who make ‘an excellent team’."

(External Examiner report 2012)

 

Graduate Profile

Studying at York St John for my PGCE was one of the most creative, rewarding and fulfilling years of my life. The training was dynamic, varied and challenging. There was an excellent blend of professional and subject specific training that has proved invaluable in my life as a Religious Studies teacher. The lecturers, visit to places of worship and teaching placements were outstanding learning environments to develop as a trainee. The support and advice was exceptional, and I still feel as part of a special leaning community.

Robin Parmiter

PGCE Secondary RE Graduate

 

Degree programme information

Programme specifications »