PGCE Secondary programme frequently asked questions (2025/26 entry)
What is a PGCE with QTS?
A PGCE is a Postgraduate Certificate in Education that is awarded after you successful complete 60 Level 7 credits. QTS is ‘Qualified Teacher Status’ that is issued by the Government after being recommended by a teacher education provider.
If you successfully complete all aspects of the Secondary PGCE, you will receive a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status.
Why LJMU?
At LJMU, we care deeply about you becoming an effective, confident and resilient teacher who makes a real impact in schools. Our team of University tutors are all experienced teachers and work in partnership with schools throughout the Greater Merseyside area to provide high quality teacher education. We have a strong commitment to social justice, and will guide you through an ambitious curriculum that prepares you for a brilliant career.
How will I learn?
The Secondary PGCE programme is a full-time professional programme. This means that you will be expected to give full-time attention to your studies for a full academic year, starting in early September and ending in early July.
You will learn through a combination of:
- university lectures, seminars and workshops
- at least 120 days across two different school placements
- directed and self-directed study
Throughout your studies at University and placement, you will be supported by expert colleagues who are trained to ensure you develop into an effective professional teacher.
How do the placements work?
Your school placements are a central part of your training and education as a student teacher. Over the year, you will have two different placements – your ‘home’ school, where you will spend most of your time, and your ‘alternative’ school in January and February.
All placements are allocated by the University and you may be required to travel up to 90 minutes to get to your placement school.
Our placements are split into three phases. As you progress through each phase, you will gradually learn how to be an effective teacher. You will start with observations and working with small groups of pupils. You will then progress to teaching sections of lessons to entire lessons, before working towards teaching multiple lessons every week.
Each week, you will meet with a school-based mentor who will observe your teaching and set you targets that help you make progress.
What if I want to book a holiday?
Every aspect of your PGCE programme is compulsory. If you do not complete all aspects of your programme, you may not be able to be recommended for QTS. Therefore, it is important you only book holidays during the half-terms of your placement school and when you do not have University-based sessions. If you have any questions about this, check with your Programme Leader once you have started the programme.
When does the programme start?
Our Secondary PGCE programmes start on Thursday 4 September 2025 and finishes on Friday 26 June 2026.
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed through a combination of academic assignments and professional practice, against our curriculum (rooted in the ITE Core Content Framework) and the Teacher Standards.
What does a typical week look like?
After your induction period, you will spend Monday – Thursday in a placement school, and Fridays at University. There is a block period of six weeks Monday – Friday in school from January, and then you will be in school full-time for your final phase.
What support will be available?
You will be assigned a Liaison Tutor from the University who will support you on placement. You will also be assigned a subject specialist school-based mentor to support your practice in school.