PGCE Secondary Route to QTS for School Based Employees at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Programme overview

A one-year full-time PGCE for graduates already employed in a secondary school without QTS, allowing them to gain QTS while continuing to teach. The course is built around an individual learning and development plan, includes 120 days in school (7 in a lead partnership school and a three-week alternative placement) and carries 40 credits at master's level. Open to English-medium and Welsh-medium practitioners; places are limited to 20.

Faculty: Cardiff School of Education & Social Policy | Duration: 1 year full time (starts June 2027, school-based) | Intake: 7 June 2027 | Location: Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

What you will study

Three phases (Insights, Enhancement, Inspire) and three 40-credit modules: Professional Practice 1 and 2 (level 6, school-based, 60 days each) and Investigations of Practice 1 (level 7). Content includes inclusive pedagogies and assessment, pupil voice and rights, human development, support for ALN and EAL, Welsh language pedagogy and 35 hours of Welsh language development.

Career pathways

Recommendation to the Education Workforce Council for QTS and secondary teaching in schools across Wales, the UK and abroad.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must be employed in a teaching role at a school by the start of the programme with at least three years of sustained teaching in the last six years, whole-class teaching experience, and a joint application with the employing school (which must meet the school criteria and name a senior mentor). Minimum 2:2 honours degree (applicants below 2:2 may be considered for certain subjects with a master's, PhD or substantial relevant experience). GCSE grade C/4 or above in English Language (or Welsh Language First Language) and Mathematics (or Mathematics - Numeracy), or equivalent. Welsh Government Education Health Standards; the employing school confirms the criminal records check. Required documents: personal statement, CV with GCSE evidence, at least one academic reference, degree certificate or transcript, supplementary application form. Interview of about one hour. Application windows: October to January (closing 29 January 2027, interviews February) and February to April (closing 24 April 2027, interviews early May). International applicants: IELTS 7.5 overall with no sub-score below 7.0 (or equivalent).

Intake: 7 June 2027

Duration: 1 year full time (starts June 2027, school-based)

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