Science with Biology Secondary Education PGCE
Help young people achieve their potential. Share your love for science. Become a biology teacher in secondary education.
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Help young people achieve their potential. Share your love for science. Become a biology teacher in secondary education.
The PGCE Science with Biology Secondary Education degree will qualify you to teach biology at secondary level in any state-maintained school in England and Wales.
This one year PGCE Biology course blends theoretical knowledge with carefully supervised teaching experience. You will attend placements in a variety of educational settings to gain a broad understanding of the realities of secondary level teaching.
Through the teachers' student loan reimbursement scheme, all eligible biology teachers will be able to apply for a reimbursement on their student loan payments made in the first ten years of their careers. Read more about the eligibility criteria.
Placements are an important part of this PGCE Biology course. During that time, you will benefit from practical learning and be supported by school-based trainers and University-based tutors.
Your progress will be assessed with written assignments, case studies and assessments of your teaching practice.
This course is a mixture of University-based learning and in-school training. The course is designed to enable you to spend 120 days in a school or other educational institution.
Being able to support yourself while taking the time to complete your teacher training course is an important consideration when it comes to making the decision to apply. In this article, we look at the different options available when it comes to teacher training funding.
Learn more about what teacher training funding is available
Teaching placements are an integral part of your initial teacher training, and we offer placement opportunities across several of our undergraduate and postgraduate education courses. Read on to discover more about what to expect on your teaching placement, as well as how you can prepare, the skills and knowledge you’ll gain, and the support you’ll receive throughout.
Learn what to expect on your teaching placement
Are you considering studying for a teaching degree and want to specialise in STEM subjects? Read on to discover why becoming a STEM teacher is both rewarding and beneficial to your career.
Find out more about teaching a STEM subject
We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.
You'll usually need a 2:2 (or above) honours degree from a UK Higher Education institution or an equivalent qualification and be deemed suitable to train to teach by the School of Education at the University of Sunderland.
In addition to academic qualifications, you must also:
Your numeracy and literacy competency will be assessed continuously throughout the course following the DfE’s removal of the Professional Skills Test.
If English isn't your first language, you'll also need International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at a score of 6.5, with at least 6.5 in writing, and no section below 6.0.
You'll be assessed on your potential to learn and not your experience.
All successful applicants will be invited to an interview. Interviews start early November, so we recommend that you apply as soon as UCAS opens in October.
Please note, applicants with a foundation degree will need to supplement this qualification with at least 60 credits at level 6 (HE level 3) in order to attain an equivalent single qualification.
This course is subject to revalidation to meet the requirements for Initial Teacher Training from 2024.
The annual fee for this course is:
Please note, this course is currently closed to international applicants.
*European Union (EU), EEA (European Economic Area), and Swiss nationals who don't qualify for the EU Settlement Scheme are classed as international, however, for 24/25 admission, you'll receive a European student fee scholarship and will pay the home tuition fee rate for the duration of your studies. The discounted fee will be reflected in your offer letter. Learn more in our Help and Advice article.
Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
Biology teachers are in short supply nationally. The Department for Education has announced training bursaries of £25,000 for trainees with a First Class degree, 2:1, 2:2, PhD or master's. See the Get into Teaching website for more details.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
This degree awards Qualified Teacher Status, which means that when you graduate you’ll be qualified to teach in any state-maintained secondary school in England and Wales. Most graduates from this course go on to become a secondary school teacher.
Good teachers area always in high demand. All qualified teachers will have a starting salary of at least £30,000, and this will be higher for teachers working in London. The amount you earn will then increase until you reach the top end of your pay scale, after which you can choose to progress into more senior roles, such as leading practitioner or head teacher.
The teachers’ pension scheme is also one of the most generous public sector pension schemes in the UK, one of the few guaranteed by the Government.
The University of Sunderland has partnerships with over 650 schools, colleges and other educational establishments across the North East and beyond. You’ll spend at least 120 days on placement. We’ll work with you to find you the perfect teaching placement – schools that can nurture and support your aspirations and interests, and help you become the best secondary school teacher you can be. When you’re ready to start searching for a teaching job, you will already have valuable first-hand teaching experience, as well as a wide network of professional contacts who can help you find the right career opportunities.