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Attend our next Teacher Training Information event to find out more about becoming a teacher at Sussex
Train to be a teacher on one of our teaching courses. We offer a range of routes into teaching, including primary and secondary school teaching.
Our PGCE courses prepare you for a successful career as a teacher.
Experienced mentors and professional tutors will run your school-based teacher education. You’ll learn to teach in schools in Sussex, Brighton & Hove, Surrey, Hampshire or Kent. University tutors will support you throughout the year.
We have a proud history of innovation for all our teacher training. We pioneered the model of school-based teaching over 50 years ago, which has now been adopted by all training providers in England.
You can also study on our Early Years Education (with Early Years Teacher Status) MA. This Government-funded course allows recent graduates and practitioners that are already employed in Early Years settings to train as Early Years teachers in one academic year, alongside studying for a full academic Master’s degree. Find out more:
A PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) is a qualification that will give you qualified teacher status (QTS), allowing you to teach in UK schools. You’ll combine the practical experience of school placements with learning the cutting-edge theory behind teaching and education. You can choose to study full-time or part-time.
As part of the application process, you will need to submit a personal statement and attend an interview. Learn more about how to apply for teacher training.
Find out more about teacher training at Sussex.
Contact iteadmissions@sussex.ac.uk if you have any questions about our courses.
On our PGCE courses you’ll train to be a teacher through a combination of taught sessions at the University and school-led professional development and classroom practice. You’ll start your course with a two to three week induction in September, followed by a programme of lectures, seminars and workshops. These involve presentations, group work, micro teaching, classroom modelling and peer teaching, where you’ll explore different ideas and reflect on your own experiences.
Over the course of the academic year, you will undertake two periods of professional practice in two different school, supported by a mentor (in secondary courses, this will be a subject specialist). They’ll offer you tutorial support and develop a programme of practice-based professional studies for you. Your progress will be assessed through observations, feedback and discussion. You will create and maintain a portfolio of evidence demonstrating how you have met the various Teachers' Standards.
You will benefit from an initial 'serial placement', where your working week is divided between four days in school and a day of reflection at the University. Towards the end of the course, you will experience a full-time teacher's timetable during a 'block placement'.
You will engage with the theoretical foundations of classroom practice, and demonstrate the depth of your professional knowledge by completing three academic assignments during the course. Successful trainees will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Learn more about our each of our postgraduate teacher training courses:
We have developed strong partnerships with schools across the region who share our philosophy of learning. Teachers in these schools are key members of our training team and we work together as teacher educators and excellent classroom practitioners to provide research-led, innovative and effective teaching. Our partnership promotes a creative and reflective approach to learning that starts with the individual child and the environment.
We try to match your skills and experience with our local partner schools. Children are involved from day one with the process and form part of every interview panel. You’ll gain experience across the whole Primary age range, as well as having opportunities to explore Key Stage 3 and Pre-Schools.
A distinctive feature of the PGCE Primary course is the integrated six month professional practice placement. This is designed to enable you to build strong partnerships within a specific school community and its pupils. You will have a shorter, contrasting experience in a different school setting at the end of the course.
The PGCE Primary course also constitutes the first year of our innovative Education MA. Successful graduates of the Primary PGCE can carry up to 90 Masters credits towards this postgraduate course, which can be taken part-time by Newly Qualified Teachers.
Art education is an essential component of a balanced education for all young people. It allows for open-ended and personal learning opportunities not always available in other subject areas. It offers students the chance to develop skills and techniques, think critically, problem solve and express their own ideas. As a subject area it is popular and students attain high grades at GCSE across the country.
Alongside your university and school placement training, you’ll benefit from a studio-based program that will broaden your skills, enabling you to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum and teach Art at Key Stages 3 and 4. You’ll cover a range of areas including drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, photography and digital multimedia. You will examine the varied nature of art classroom practice, taking into account national and local initiatives, as well as focusing on your own personal research projects. You’ll also draw upon individual specialisms and share skills.
Teacher educators based in local schools will share their expertise and curriculum knowledge to help you make progress with planning, resourcing, teaching and assessment. Our University based programme offers cross curricular based competencies to compliment your subject specific practice.
Find out more about the Secondary Art and Design PGCE on our prospectus.
Business education can be one of the most important subjects for students, bringing together theory and practical applications to help build success. It gives young people the opportunity to understand how local, national and international businesses function, as well as the impact it can have on our lives and economies. We are surrounded by real world applications which enrich learning for Business students.
Our Business Studies PGE provides you with carefully structured professional learning opportunities. It will enable you to critically and effectively progress in planning, teaching and assessing successful Business education. Together, university teacher educators and excellent classroom practitioners share their enthusiasm and professional knowledge to give you opportunities to focus on how to best engage, enthuse and enlighten your pupils.
Building on successful and engaging practice in Business departments, you will be encouraged to take an active role in your own professional learning by developing secure knowledge of the Business curriculum in Key Stages 4 and 5.
Find out more about the Secondary Business Studies PGCE on our prospectus.
At the heart of the Computer Science PGCE course at Sussex is a belief in the importance of deep learning and creativity. It is crucial to enable learners to become independent, critical thinkers who develop expertise in formulating problems and finding their solutions. Through helping pupils to identify and talk about scenarios with teachers and peers, you’ll help develop their success not only in Computer Science, but also in other areas of the curriculum as well as life in general.
You will gain an understanding of how to develop the computational thinking skills of your learners, developing connections between your own knowledge and passion for computing and the importance of trial and error, reflection, analysis and evaluation. You will help learners become the creators of technology, not just users of technology. You’ll develop their understanding of the role of computing in the classroom, examining moral and social issues arising from the widespread use of computers. You’ll incorporate the teaching of the Computing National Curriculum and examinations at both GCSE and GCE level. Opportunities to study and reflect with other trainees ensure you can be part of evolving an invaluable network of peer support.
Our Computer Science team is drawn equally from the University and our schools partnership. You’ll be suported by tutors with experience as Heads of Department and teacher-educator researchers who specialise in developing inquisitive learning.
Many teacher trainees and mentors progress to our Masters courses, in order to continue to enhance their teaching abilities and deepen their subject knowledge, by researching best practice.
Find out more about the Secondary Computer Science PGCE on our prospectus.
In many secondary schools, these department areas are linked and teachers teach both subjects – so we offer this unique course to enable you to become specialists in both curriculum areas.
We have a strong tradition in the study of Business and Computing, and this has influenced our teacher training courses. This combined PGCE course will offer you a strong grounding in Business theory and techniques of how to teach Business at KS4 and KS5. It will also give trainees an understanding of KS3 /KS4 requirements for Computing and specialist input for Computing using industry standard hardware and software.
Computing is a vital area of the curriculum and there is shortage of students with coding skills – needed for the fields of app and game design, website design, cyber security and more. This is shortage subject, which means that students can apply for a bursary while they train. This is a vital time to be engaged in developments in Computing and information technology (IT). Technological change has had a profound impact on Computing classrooms, and we are preparing children for possible careers in IT and Computing due to the growth of careers in these fields.
You will gain an understanding of how to develop the computational thinking skills of your learners, developing connections between your own knowledge and passion for computing and the importance of trial and error, reflection, analysis and evaluation. You will help learners become the creators of technology, not just users of technology. You’ll develop their understanding of the role of computing in the classroom, examining moral and social issues arising from the widespread use of computers. You’ll incorporate the teaching of the Computing National Curriculum and examinations at both GCSE and GCE level. Opportunities to study and reflect with other trainees ensure you can be part of evolving an invaluable network of peer support.
Business education can be one of the most important subjects for students, bringing together theory and practical applications to help build success. It gives young people the opportunity to understand how local, national and international businesses function, as well as the impact it can have on our lives and economies. We are surrounded by real world applications which enrich learning for Business students.
Many Business and Computing teacher trainees go on to teach both subjects, though some choose to specialise in one or the other whilst enhancing their teaching with the knowledge and skills acquired while training in the second subject. Many PGCE students progress to our part-time Education MA course which is designed specifically to enable newly qualified teachers to continue to enhance their teaching abilities and deepen their subject knowledge by researching best practice.
Find out more about the Secondary Computing and Busines Studies PGCE on our prospectus.
The study of Design and Technology in schools is a core element of the National Curriculum at Key Stage 3 and covers a range of GCSE and vocational options at Key Stage 4. The introduction of T levels alongside existing A-Levels at Key Stage 5 makes it an exciting time to teach and study the subject.
This PGCE supports you in developing your skills as an effective teacher and a reflective learner, as well as how to become a dynamic and creative teacher across the Key Stages. Tutors will support you to explore the subject through the full range of subject specialist areas, including resistant materials, textiles and graphics, control systems, food preparation and nutrition. You will specialise in two of these areas appropriate to your previous experience, subject knowledge and skills and interest..
Our programme covers both classroom pedagogy and how to effectively and safely guide you in making and modelling products in all materials areas alongside the use of CAD/CAM. Trainee teachers come to us from a variety of design or food and nutrition backgrounds, and you’ll be encouraged – both at university and on placement – to deliver the curriculum through new materials areas alongside your own specialism.
Find out more about the Secondary Design Technology PGCE on our prospectus.
Drama offers school pupils the opportunity to enrich their lives and communities, explore complex issues and emotions, and build their self-confidence and practical skills. Whether at Key Stage 3, GCSE or A level, Drama nourishes pupils, gives them a wide range of experience from working in groups and makes them use their imagination to acquire technical and design expertise.
You’ll train to teach in one of the most rewarding subjects in the school curriculum. You will develop your understanding of this exciting subject within Secondary education, and learn a range of strategies for teaching. Beyond the classroom, you will engage in the broader role and position of Drama in school life, supporting – and sometimes leading – performances and productions.
We believe that Drama should be an inclusive experience for everyone. Distinctive features of our course include the different inputs offered by local school practitioners, as well as teaching labs where cohorts can stretch and challenge each other in practice-based workshops.
Find out more about the Secondary Drama PGCE on our prospectus.
At the heart of the English PGCE course at Sussex is a belief in the importance of reading. Enabling pupils to become independent, critical readers who love reading and talking about texts with teachers and peers will allow them to succeed in all other areas of the school curriculum.
You will gain understanding of how to develop the reading abilities of your pupils, drawing connections between your own knowledge and love of literature and the comprehension strategies and exposure to challenging texts that will enable your pupils to become similarly enthusiastic, engaged readers. Exploratory talk about texts is also central to developing pupils' talk and writing, combined with rich, textual models. You will deepen your own grammatical understanding and that of your pupils, enabling them to become creative, effective writers.
Our team is drawn equally from the University and our school partnership. You’ll learn from tutors with experience as Heads of English in school, Lead Examiners for GCSE examination boards and teacher-educator researchers, who specialise in developing pupils' reading and higher-cognitive talk and in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Our dynamic partnership includes excellent school practitioners leading sessions on topics including A-level English Language, Drama and E-learning.
Your subject and pedagogic knowledge will also be enriched by visits to places like the British Library, the Globe Theatre and the Mass Observation Archive, modelling 'out-of-classroom' experiences central to your pupils' learning. Visiting an 'outstanding' inner-city school that has rapidly improved performance in the last three years will enable you to explore key strategies in teaching English that can effect whole-school change. You will develop your understanding of innovative, evidence-based practice, fusing theory and practice in academic assignments.
Our focus on reading is pivotal to raising the achievement of disadvantaged students, and our partnership is currently involved in a range of research interventions on reading, including evaluating the most effective strategies for improving educational outcomes.
Many English teacher trainees and mentors progress to our Masters courses, in order to continue to enhance their teaching abilities and deepen their subject knowledge, by researching best practice.
Find out more about the Secondary English PGCE on our prospectus.
At the heart of the combined English and Drama PGCE course at Sussex is a belief in the importance of English Language, English Literature and Drama. Enabling pupils to become independent, critical readers who love reading and talking about texts with teachers and peers will allow them to succeed in all other areas of the school curriculum.
You will gain understanding of how to develop the reading abilities of your pupils, drawing connections between your own knowledge and love of literature and the comprehension strategies and exposure to challenging texts that will enable your pupils to become similarly enthusiastic, engaged readers. Exploratory talk about texts is also central to developing pupils' talk and writing, combined with rich, textual models. You will deepen your own grammatical understanding and that of your pupils, enabling them to become creative, effective writers.
Drama offers school pupils the opportunity to enrich their lives and communities, explore complex issues and emotions, and build their self-confidence and practical skills. Drama nourishes pupils, gives them a wide range of experience from working in groups and makes them use their imagination to acquire technical and design expertise.
You’ll train to teach in one of the most rewarding subjects in the school curriculum. You will develop your understanding of this exciting subject within Secondary education, and learn a range of strategies for teaching. Beyond the classroom, you will engage in the broader role and position of Drama in school life, supporting – and sometimes leading – performances and productions.
Our partnership believes that Drama should be an inclusive experience for everyone. Distinctive features of our course include the different inputs offered by local school practitioners, as well as teaching labs where cohorts can stretch and challenge each other in practice-based workshops.
Many English and Drama teacher trainees go on to teach both subjects. Some choose to specialise in one or the other, while enhancing their teaching with the knowledge and skills acquired while training in the second subject. Many progress to our Masters courses to continue to enhance their teaching abilities and deepen their subject knowledge by researching best practice.
Find out more about the Secondary English and Drama PGCE on our prospectus.
At the heart of the combined English and Media Studies PGCE course at Sussex is a belief in the importance of English Language, English Literature and Media.
Enabling pupils to become independent, critical readers who love reading and talking about texts with teachers and peers will allow them to succeed in all other areas of the school curriculum.
You will gain understanding of how to develop the reading abilities of your pupils, drawing connections between your own knowledge and love of literature and the comprehension strategies and exposure to challenging texts that will enable your pupils to become similarly enthusiastic, engaged readers. Exploratory talk about texts is also central to developing pupils' talk and writing, combined with rich, textual models. You will deepen your own grammatical understanding and that of your pupils, enabling them to become creative, effective writers.
Media is at the heart of contemporary culture and its study enriches young people’s understanding of their place in the world. Sussex has a strong tradition of serious study in media and this has influenced our teaching training course. This combined PGCE course will offer you a strong grounding in the theoretical aspects of school based media study but also develop you as a media creator with specialist input using industry standard hardware and software.
It is a vital time to be engaged in Media studies. Technological change has had a profound impact on media classrooms where the aims of preparing children for possible careers in media related fields vie with a learning design that develops an awareness of the power relations inherent in media communications..
Many English and Media Studies teacher trainees go on to teach both subjects, though some choose to specialise in one or the other whilst enhancing their teaching with the knowledge and skills acquired while training in the second subject. Many progress to our Masters courses to continue to enhance their teaching abilities and deepen their subject knowledge by researching best practice.
Find out more about the Secondary English and Media Studies PGCE on our prospectus.
We believe that Geography helps young people make sense of the world: from the fascinating and terrible power of earth-shaping forces, to the contemporary challenges of climate change, food security and energy choices, Geography provides the knowledge, understanding and skills to help pupils navigate their future. The importance of the subject is recognised by its inclusion in the English Baccalaureate, and its popularity evidenced by a continuing rise in Geography exam entries. Our approach to the subject roots it in real-world enquiry, decision-making and a commitment to out-of-classroom learning. This allows young people to become more aware of their place within their local and global community.
This course is designed to produce creative, and highly skilled Geography teachers. You’ll be introduced to a range of teaching and learning strategies, including the use of data handling (cartographic, numerical, visual, digital) and analytical skills.
Sessions taught at the University include opportunities for sharing experiences and classroom resources, as well as for drawing on local and national expertise. Sessions will be taught on campus, and also within partner schools and other off-campus locations. Fieldwork is an important part of this course, including a residential weekend which you’ll be are expected to participate in.
Find out more about the Secondary Geography PGCE on our prospectus.
We believe that History matters. It fosters curiosity and enquiry, reveals the complexity of identities, and allows pupils to place their world in a local, national and global context. As a school subject, History continues to stand out as one of the most popular and successful taught areas of the curriculum.
You’ll benefit from carefully structured professional learning opportunities, which will enable you to critically and effectively progress in planning, teaching and assessing the subject. University teacher educators and classroom practitioners share their enthusiasm and professional knowledge to give you opportunities to focus on how to best engage, enthuse and enlighten your pupils in their understandings of the past.
Building on successful and engaging practice in History departments, you are encouraged to take an active role in your own professional learning by developing secure knowledge of the History curriculum whilst recognising how your pupils make sense of the past from Key Stage 3 through to A-level. You’ll explore the nature of significance, the excitement of enquiry and the challenges of historical interpretations. You’ll also look at conceptions of chronology, change, continuity and causation.
University and school-based sessions draw on local and national expertise, offering you perspectives and startegies on a range of different teaching issues. This includes accessing original historical sources at local and national museums and archives, as well as engaging pupils in the sensitive, controversial and emotive histories of slavery and the Holocaust.
Find out more about the Secondary History PGCE on our prospectus.
As a school subject, Latin and Classics is growing in popularity and offers schools and pupils a rich, exciting and challenging addition to the school curriculum.Any study of the ancient world offers learners a unique opportunity to understand ourselves, our ancestors and our culture. We believe that introducing young people to the men and women of the classical past helps to understand not only their experiences, languages and beliefs, but also how they continue to shape the way we see our own world.
You’ll benefit from carefully structured professional learning opportunities, enabling you to critically and effectively progress in planning, teaching and assessing skills, so you can teach Latin and Classics in the classroom. University teacher educators and classroom practitioners share their enthusiasm and professional knowledge to give you opportunities to focus on how best to engage, enthuse and enlighten your pupils in their understandings of the past.
Building on successful and engaging practice in Latin and Classics teaching in schools, you are encouraged to take an active role in your own professional learning by developing secure knowledge of the curriculum, whilst recognising how your pupils make sense of the classical world and its language from Key Stage 3 through to A-level. University and school-based sessions draw on local and national expertise, offering perspectives and strategies on a range of different teaching issues. This includes accessing original historical sources at local and national museums and archives. You’ll also engage pupils in the sensitive, controversial and emotive nature of life experiences in ancient Rome and Greece.
Find out more about the Secondary Latin and Classics PGCE on our prospectus.
By choosing to teach Mathematics, you are entering a profession that is exciting, dynamic and incredibly rewarding. This PGCE is one of the most well-established teacher training courses in the UK, and we develop successful teachers with many Mathematics departments in local schools. The commitment of many local Mathematics teachers and professional tutors to this course has contributed to its quality over the years.
You will develop a deeper understanding of the complex nature of Mathematics as a subject, and consider the contribution of the subject to young people's education. You’ll be able to prepare for, and reflect on, your practical teaching skills in order to develop them alongside a critical awareness of relevant issues in education. We will equip you with the fundamental information, perspectives, insights and skills you need to be an effective Mathematics teacher.
We work creatively and professionally with curriculum/professional tutors and Mathematics teachers to enhance your understanding of teaching. The taught sessions we run are driven to develop reflective, innovative and creative Mathematics teachers. Through a range of activities and approaches, you’ll have the chance establish yourself within a national community of Mathematics teachers who take pride in enthusing children about the subject. You’ll teach them the skills to be successful learners and understand the relevance of Mathematics in everyday life.
Find out more about the Secondary Mathematics PGCE on our prospectus.
Young people need to be prepared for a world where communication with people from other countries and backgrounds is a national imperative. Studying other languages and their culture helps students to develop their understanding of their own language, fosters intercultural awareness and provides a whole host of cognitive benefits that support their wider academic achievement. It also enhances students’ career opportunities. Languages are a statutory element of the primary curriculum as well as an important choice for students at GCSE and beyond. This means qualified teachers in modern foreign languages are particularly employable.
We have trainees from a wide variety of backgrounds and pride ourselves on the high quality programme of bespoke support we give our trainees. You’ll have opportunities to be inquisitive, critically reflective and improve your practice. You’'ll be well-prepared for the realities of teaching, with the confidence, resilience and skills to be innovative, take risks and be creative.
You’ll benefit from a creative and modern approach to language teaching, which enables you to critically and effectively make progress in planning, teaching and assessing successful language lessons. Our university based sessions are led by outstanding experienced practitioners from local schools as well as by university teacher educators who will share their enthusiasm and professional knowledge to provide you with opportunities to engage and enthuse your students.
Find out more about the Secondary Modern Foreign Languages PGCE on our prospectus.
It's an exciting time for Music education, with many new initiatives and a Music curriculum which recognises the importance of the subject in the lives of young people, and emphasises creativity and innovation. Throughout course, you will be encouraged to consider your pivotal role as a musician in bringing together music from both in and outside of the school environment, helping young people to make sense of their learning and nurturing their development.
Having an identity as a 'musician in the classroom', and the ability to facilitate creative music-making, are fundamental attributes of a successful Music teacher. You will build on your existing skills as a musician and develop your subject knowledge in previously unfamiliar areas – whether your background is traditional western classical, popular music, world music or music technology. You should be open to new styles and genres, and be prepared to broaden your musical horizons.
The PGCE is highly interactive and learning is gained through seminars, discussion, tutorials and practical workshops – such as singing, improvisation, composing and world music. Imaginatively run seminar groups and workshops (often led by visiting specialists) develop your confidence and expertise in areas such as approaches to GCSE and A level, creative teaching and learning strategies, and directing extra-curricular musical activities.
You are supported in the use of music technology, but not expected to have good skills in this area before you begin the course. We encourage 'hands-on' sessions to develop skills and consider how technology can be effectively integrated in the classroom.
The emphasis of the course is on applying knowledge gained in seminars to the classroom. A number of curriculum days are spent as a cohort in schools, allowing the opportunity to observe excellent practitioners in operation, and to participate in good practice. In addition, some curriculum days are spent embedded in local school music departments, enabling observation of excellent practice and opportunities to try out different approaches and technologies. The Music team includes practicing teachers, and is active nationally and internationally in music education research and policy.
Find out more about the Secondary Music PGCE on our prospectus.
As a school subject, Psychology is growing in popularity and offers schools and pupils a rich, exciting and challenging addition to the school curriculum. We believe that introducing young people to psychology provides them with a valuable and insightful way of seeing our world and the ways in which individuals operate and integrate. By dealing with data, evidence and research methods, pupils are challenged to engage in the process of enquiry, analysis and debate.
On this course you can develop as an enthusiastic, engaged and creative teacher, committed to sharing and nurturing understanding of what shapes human behaviour, thought and actions. You’ll benefit from carefully structured professional learning opportunities. These will enable you to develop your planning, teaching and assessing skills. Building on successful and engaging practice in Psychology teaching in schools, you are encouraged to take an active role in your own professional learning by developing secure knowledge of different curricula whilst recognising how your pupils make sense of human behaviour at GCSE and A level and develop skills in research and analysis.
Together, university teacher educators and excellent classroom practitioners share their enthusiasm and professional knowledge to give you opportunities to focus on how best to engage, enthuse and enlighten your pupils in their understandings of human behaviour. Innovative learning strategies, roleplay, stimulus and 'real-world' teaching are all designed to provide you with the skills to bring Psychology to life in the secondary classroom.
University and school-based sessions draw on local and national expertise, offering you perspectives and strategies from key Psychology topics such as memory, personality and communication. You will engage pupils in the sensitive, controversial and emotive nature of subjects like deviance and ethics.
Find out more about the Secondary Psychology PGCE on our prospectus.
Effective Science teaching is about enabling pupils to learn, think and question. The central aim of the course is to develop you as a committed, thoughtful and effective Science teacher who will encourage you pupils to think for themselves and enjoy their learning experience.
Every year, we welcome trainee teachers from a wide variety of backgrounds and believe that this is a real strength of the course. Our ethos is based on collaboration and as such we recognise that all our trainees, whatever their background, have something to contribute to the cohort. The commitment of many local Science teachers and professional tutors to our courses has ensured their quality over the years.
We aim to develop successful specialist teachers, enhancing your training in original ways. We work in partnership with local schools, in respect of placements as well as for our taught sessions at the University.
Find out more about the Secondary Science PGCEs on our prospectus: