PGCE (Secondary) Chemistry at University of Brighton

Programme overview

Chemistry teachers enable students to explore the building blocks of matter and how substances interact often through hands-on experiments that make learning exciting and tangible. Through this they’ll learn to think logically, working on their problem-solving skills and developing a sense of curiosity about how things work. Our Secondary Chemistry PGCE leads to QTS – the professional teaching qualification.

Faculty: School of Education | Department: Teaching (postgraduate) | Duration: full-time: 1 year | Study mode: full-time | Location: Brighton, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Two-thirds of your year will be spent teaching under supervision in schools. Our tutors and mentors will advise and support you throughout each placement. You will receive comprehensive feedback during this time, enabling you to see what you are doing well and where you might need to improve. The university works in partnership with schools and colleges to provide a high-quality programme of support, ensuring a sound relationship between theory and practice. You will benefit from undertaking two placements in two schools or colleges, with the opportunity to visit additional schools or colleges as part of the peer observation programme.

Career pathways

A (Secondary) Chemistry PGCE at Brighton prepares you for a career teaching chemistry in secondary schools. Leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), the course develops the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to help young people explore the building blocks of matter, understand how substances interact, and develop logical thinking, problem-solving skills and scientific curiosity.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Degree and experience. Normally an honours degree or equivalent qualification in chemistry or a subject that is closely related. If your degree was awarded more than five tears ago, isn’t in the subject area you wish to teach, or you have relevant professional experience but need to learn how to apply that to teaching you may be suitable for a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course. If you pass the SKE it qualifies you to start a PGCE. GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4). At least English language and maths. If you don’t have the required GCSEs, an equivalency test demonstrates that you have achieved the same standard as a traditional GCSE grade C or level 4. At Brighton, we accept equivalency tests from A Star Equivalency. If you have equivalency test results from another provider, contact us at [email protected] to see if we can accept them. We cannot accept Functional Skills for teaching courses. International student application deadline. The deadline for international applicants is late May. This deadline is in place to ensure sufficient time for the visa process to be completed before the course starts in early September. Training to teach in England as an international student.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,790 a year (2026/27). First-year tuition fee, full-time; fees may rise in later years. Source

International applicants: GBP 18,108 a year (2026/27). First-year tuition fee, full-time; fees may rise in later years. Source

Duration: full-time: 1 year

Apply through the official page: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training

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