Study PGCE Secondary - Modern Foreign Languages at Durham University in the UK,
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PGCE Secondary - Modern Foreign Languages

UK

5

What will I learn?

With a focus on French and German or Spanish, the PGCE Secondary - Modern Foreign Languages equips you with the skills to teach modern languages and share the importance of language learning to understand other cultures and backgrounds.Whether designing engaging lesson plans, creating a stimulating learning environment, or developing the skills to encourage student participation, you will gain the subject knowledge and pedagogical skills needed to make the study of languages accessible and stimulating in a classroom environment. The course also addresses the challenges of teaching languages and encourages an appreciation of languages in a predominantly monolingual society.Successful completion of the PGCE leads to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education awarded by Durham University and the recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status. The QTS element is accredited by Newcastle University and awarded by the Department of Education.We pride ourselves on offering a well-planned blend of research and experience in the classroom to start you on your successful career as an Early Career Teacher. We emphasise your entitlement to the Core Content Framework throughout our PGCE course to fully prepare you for the Early Career Framework, which will support you during your first two years of teaching as an Early Career Teacher.The University-based sessions focus on a weekly specific pedagogical theme, integrated with sessions devoted to your subject specialism, delivered by subject specialists in the University and the school partnership.The Professional Studies sessions explore your understanding of critical concepts and classroom practice, allowing you to reflect on your teacher identity and progress as a developing teacher.Please note that the course does not run to standard University terms. It is delivered full-time, starting in early September and continues over 10 months.

Study options

Full Time (1 Year)

Tuition fees
£26,000.00 (US$ 33,577) per year
This is a provisional fee yet to be approved

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Start date

October 2027

Venue

Durham University

The Palatine Centre,

Stockton Rd,

Durham,

County Durham,

DH1 3LE, Northern England, United Kingdom

Full Time (1 Year)

Tuition fees
£26,000.00 (US$ 33,577) per year
This is a fixed fee

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Start date

October 2026

Venue

Durham University

The Palatine Centre,

Stockton Rd,

Durham,

County Durham,

DH1 3LE, Northern England, United Kingdom

Entry requirements

For international students

The equivalent of a UK 2:2 honours degree, of which approximately 50% is comprised of Modern Foreign Languages or a similar subject. Alternatively, applicants who have achieved a lower second class honours degree will be considered in conjunction with having resided in a country where the national language corresponds with the language you wish to teach. (If your degree is from an overseas institution, you must apply for a Statement of Comparability from NARIC)

Please note that if your first teaching language is not French, you may be advised to undertake a French Subject Knowledge Enhancement course prior to commencing the PGCE MFL, due to the difficulties of placing trainees without French in our partnership schools. Similarly, if French is your only teaching language, you may be advised to undertake a Spanish or German Subject Knowledge Enhancement course prior to commencing the PGCE.

If you need to improve your subject knowledge you may be asked to complete a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course.

GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 (or C) or above (or equivalent). Well consider candidates with pending GCSEs. Well consider candidates who need to take an equivalency test in English and/or Maths.

If your qualifications are from an overseas institution, you must apply for a Statement of Comparability from ENIC

Your interpersonal qualities and your potential to achieve professional skills relating to the Teachers' Standards will be considered when making an admissions decision. Candidates who meet the criteria will be invited to an interview, which will be held online, consisting of a range of questions and a series of tasks designed to illustrate your potential to meet the Teachers' Standards by the end of the course.

It is highly recommended that any foreign nationals applying "have spent six months living in the UK", have had employment or volunteered as a teaching assistant in a state school in England or in an International school following the English national curriculum, and have some knowledge of, or experience in working with, the English National Curriculum.

Successful candidates will receive an offer conditional upon a successful Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and medical assessment. This is for “fitness to teach” before starting the course.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

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About Durham University

Durham University connects a rich history with modern values to create a well-respected and forward-thinking institution.

  • Durham hosts over 18,000 students from across the world
  • Named top 30 international university in the world
  • Durham is one of the top 5 universities in the UK
  • The university received the TEF gold teaching standard

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