PGCE (Secondary): English & Media
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Why study PGCE (Secondary): English & Media at Goldsmiths
Please note: this programme is closed to applications for 2025 entry.
This course is split equally between teaching English and teaching Media Studies. It will give you an understanding of the important issues and practices underpinning the teaching of English and of Media Studies for 11-18 year olds.
- English and Media Studies are both subjects which seek to develop confident, articulate, critical, creative readers and writers of a range of texts. You will learn about how schools can value students’ cultural and linguistic backgrounds and draw on these to enhance their understanding of the media and English core curriculum.
- You will have the opportunity to learn at the English and Media Centre, where much of this programme’s teaching will take place.
- You will gain an understanding of the different media-related courses taught across Keystage (KS) 4 and 5 and develop your media production skills. You will observe expert teachers tackling key issues in media and cultural studies related to semiotics, genre, narrative, representation (gender and race), audience, media industries, ideology, and post-modernism and begin teaching these academic ideas on school placement.
- In English, you will explore how to apply your knowledge of all kinds of texts to the classroom situation. This will include a focus on novels, poetry, drama, non-fiction and speaking and listening. You will also develop your understanding of language, including aspects of grammar, spelling and vocabulary, all supported by the English and Media Centre’s range of publications.
- You will develop an understanding of how learning progresses through KS3 and KS4 and how students are asked to demonstrate their knowledge in the GCSE exams for English Language and English Literature.
- In your school placements, you will have the opportunity to put your learning into practice gaining teaching experience at KS3 and KS4, including GCSE teaching, alongside observing expert teachers and engaging in weekly subject-focused dialogue with your mentor. Should you wish, there will also be the opportunity to experience English teaching at KS5.
Contact the department
If you have specific questions, contact Claire Pollard.
Teacher Training Code
J937
Length
1 year full-time
Fees
Home - full-time: £9535
International - full-time: £21200
Department
What you'll study
- The Studies and Professional Issues in Research in Education (SPIRE) module is focused upon issues that most impact the young person’s experience of education in the 21st Century. In sessions, you will be asked to consider a range of issues relating to education, engage with research and policy and link all of this to your own experience in the classroom.
- You'll spend a minimum of 120 days in school which are divided into two blocks allowing you to develop a broad understanding of the role of the teacher in contrasting settings.
- You'll also spend the equivalent of eight weeks in university, with a mix of lectures and small group seminars designed to support you in developing a strong and confident knowledge of your subject area.
- The Underpinning the School Experience module is Professional Studies which prepares you for the wider roles and responsibilities of the teacher. This will be enhanced by ongoing training during school experience and will include aspects such as behaviour management, working with pupils with English as an Additional Language and Special Educational Needs.
Learning & teaching
A range of teaching methods are employed across all our PGCE programmes, including:
- Taught subject sessions
- Practical workshops
- Compulsory lectures
- Seminars
- Group and individual tutorials
- Individual and group presentations
- Supported self-study
Entry requirements
- You must meet our fitness to train requirements
- a GCSE Grade C/4 or above in English and Mathematics. Please note, that we can only accept some UK and international GCSE equivalent qualifications.
- an undergraduate honours degree, at 2:2 or above from a university in the United Kingdom or an international equivalent in a subject related to English or Media Studies. If your degree is media-related, we would expect you to have an A level in English (grade B or above). If your degree is English-related, we would expect you to have a KS5 qualification in Media or experience of working in the media industries.
International qualifications
If you have a non-UK qualification that you believe is GCSE equivalent, you must check this with the Admissions team.
How to apply
You apply for this PGCE through the Department for Education’s Apply for Teacher Training website. More information about the process can be found on the Get into Teaching website.
Please take a look at the information on applying, including the specific qualifications or experience you need for this course.
There's no closing date for primary or secondary applications, but we advise you to apply early to avoid disappointment.
Interview process
Interviews will require you to demonstrate your own knowledge of the subjects you intend on teaching as well as include activities to gauge your understanding of the teaching profession.
Activities at the interview will include:
- A written English test
- Presenting a novel suitable for KS3 study to a small group
- An individual interview
- You will also be asked to complete a specific task that connects to the Teaching of Media Studies
All interviews will take place at the English & Media Centre.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees
These are the PGCE fees for students starting their programme in the 2025/2026 academic year.
- Home - full-time: £9535
- International - full-time: £21200
If your fees are not listed here, please contact the Fees Office - registry (@gold.ac.uk).
Funding opportunities
Find out more about fees and funding opportunities for PGCE applicants. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.
There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.
