Secondary with QTS: Geography

This course is available at the university and through School Direct.

Why study with us?

Geography is very rewarding and enjoyable to teach and we believe it has a unique contribution to make to the school curriculum. Geography enables pupils to develop unique skills, specialist knowledge and concepts in areas of relevance to their daily lives.

We help trainees develop into enthusiastic, reflective and thoughtful teachers of Geography specialising in the creative use of fieldwork, enquiry-based learning and ICT. Fieldwork is a key aspect of the course and we make good use of the exciting locations on offer in the area, such as the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Manchester and Liverpool.

We have often been highly rated by OFSTED for our success in enabling our students to share their enthusiasm and expert geographical knowledge with young people.

What can this course lead to?

Our former students have rewarding careers in the UK and around the globe. This course will enable you to apply for a position as a secondary school Geography teacher as soon as you qualify.

Resources and facilities

We have a dedicated Geography room which has a good selection of relevant resources and ICT facilities. All students have access to our Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment which can provide easy online access to course information, course materials, relevant web links and an online discussion board.

Our library is well stocked with Geography and generic education material. The Learning Gateway offers an interactive, flexible space to study. You can also take advantage of the Library and Student Services (LiSS), which provides learning resources, equipment, student advice, skills training and study space.

We work closely with local schools and field study centres to make the most of the local environment. In many ways, however, the most important resource is you!

Entry requirements See course specific entry requirements listed below.

More about levels and credits

Credit and UCAS requirements Credit: 60 credits UCAS code: F8X1 Selection criteria

• A minimum UK 2:2 honours degree or recognised equivalent qualification in Geography or a related discipline is required. A minimum 50% of your degree must be in Geography or a related discipline. All successful applicants must have met this requirement by 31 August 2013.

  If you don’t have an undergraduate degree but do have a Masters or other higher qualification, your application will be considered by our academic tutors on a one-to-one basis.

• GCSE grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics or recognised equivalent qualifications. Preference will be given to those who hold these qualifications at the point of application and all successful applicants must have met this requirement by 31 August 2013.

• Successful completion of the QTS skills test in literacy and numeracy by 31 August 2013.

• We strongly recommend that you obtain a minimum of 2-3 days secondary school experience in a mainstream UK secondary school observing a class in your chosen teaching specialism before applying.

• A satisfactory academic (university) reference OR a satisfactory professional reference if more than three years since academic study.

• All candidates must demonstrate professional suitability through interview and must obtain medical and enhanced CRB clearance according to established university procedures.

Costs

Click to view information on your study type and home location.

University-based students

Home

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year has been set at £9,000.

As a full-time UK student, you are entitled to a tuition fee loan which you only start to pay back when you are earning over £21,000 a year if you're from England or £15,795 if you're from Scotland. You may also be eligible for a maintenance loan (up to £5,500) and a maintenance grant (up to £3,354). For more information about student loans and grants, visit our student finance page.

Teaching Agency bursary

The Teaching Agency awards training bursaries based on subject and the classification of your first degree. For this course, you may be eligible for:

• £9,000 if you have a first class degree
• £4,000 if you have a 2.1

If you have exceptional subject knowledge from another career or postgraduate study (ie PhD or Masters), you may be eligible for a higher bursary than your degree classification would otherwise allow. Find out more about the TA discretionary bursary.

More financial support

Access to financial support doesn’t end at registration. We have several support funds available to our current students, including:

• Access to Learning Fund
• Utilities trust

EU

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year has been set at £9,000.

As a full-time EU student, you are entitled to a tuition fee loan which you only start to pay back when you are earning over £21,000 a year (or the equivalent in your country). For more information about student loans, visit our student finance page.

Teaching Agency bursary

The Teaching Agency awards training bursaries based on subject and the classification of your first degree. For this course, you may be eligible for:

• £9,000 if you have a first class degree
• £4,000 if you have a 2.1

If you have exceptional subject knowledge from another career or postgraduate study (ie PhD or Masters), you may be eligible for a higher bursary than your degree classification would otherwise allow. Find out more about the TA discretionary bursary.

International

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year is £10,800.

Fees are billed annually and may be paid by the student or a sponsor. 75 percent of the annual tuition fees must be paid before or at registration. For students requiring a Tier 4 Student Visa, a deposit of £3,500 is expected as a minimum before a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) will be issued. For more information, visit our international student finance page.

Early payment discount

If you are paying your own fees, you may be eligible for an early payment discount of £1,000. This discount is awarded to students who pay in full before registration.

Additional financial support

Our money doctors will be on hand throughout the year to help you manage your money while you’re in the UK. However, if you do happen to run into financial difficulty during your time here, you may be able to access a small emergency support fund.

School Direct students

Salaried

If you have a salaried school direct place, you won't have to pay a penny; your host school will cover your tuition fees in full. You will not be eligible for any additional funding.

School direct salaries are set by the school and should be in line with unqualified teacher pay scales.

Non-salaried

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year has been set at £9,000.

As a full-time student, you are entitled to a tuition fee loan which you only start to pay back when you are earning over £21,000 a year if you're from England or £15,795 if you're from Scotland. You may also be eligible for a maintenance loan (up to £5,500) and a maintenance grant (up to £3,354) if you're a UK student. For more information about student loans and grants, visit our student finance page.

Teaching Agency bursary

The Teaching Agency awards training bursaries based on subject and the classification of your first degree. For this course, you may be eligible for:

• £9,000 if you have a first class degree
• £4,000 if you have a 2.1

You may receive a 25 percent premium on your bursary if your training is based in a school where more than 35 percent of the pupils are eligible for free school meals.

If you have exceptional subject knowledge from another career or postgraduate study (ie PhD or Masters), you may be eligible for a higher bursary than your degree classification would otherwise allow. Find out more about the TA discretionary bursary.

Apply now

University-based
Visit the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) website to apply online.

School Direct
Select a school or teaching alliance from the School Direct course list to apply online.

Modules

The course is made up four modules. Two of these are connected to teaching and learning in Geography and these assignments carry Masters credits. One is connected to teaching and learning across the curriculum and the last module is the school-based element of your work.

For detailed summary of all course content please read our programme specification for this course.

Course summary

The course has a unique approach. Most of your time is spent working with specialist geography tutors and fellow PGCE geographers. This enables the blending together of practice and theory from a geographical perspective. An example is the study of the strategies for using geographical images in the classroom. This is linked to the theories of how children learn and how to manage behaviour safely and successfully in the classroom.

In your placement, you then incorporate these strategies into engaging lessons including literacy, numeracy and ICT with support from your mentor. You will also be encouraged to observe in classrooms and analyse your experiences. Many other topics are studied through this approach such as games, simulations, using videos, sustainable development, teaching about the weather, climate change and map work.

There is also a strong consideration on how to integrate ICT and the enquiry approach into the geography classroom. A key focus is out-of-school learning. Two residential experiences and workshops with school pupils will develop your understanding of techniques for teaching and learning through fieldwork investigation. Web-based learning helps you to develop into a critically reflective practitioner. This has also been recognised by OFSTED as a strength of the course.

Case studies

Karl Croniken, 2010-2011

‘This time last year I was a clerical assistant working for Her Majesty's Court Service. Little did I know that 12 months later I would be a confident and competent trainee geography teacher who regularly stands in front of thirty pairs of eyes and attempts to instil some geography knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject in to each and every pupil I teach. I am enjoying what I do and I’m developing into a good teacher. The challenge but also the reward of knowing the pupils are achieving and succeeding by coming into my classroom and coming into contact with me gives me the buzz to want to carry on, improve and succeed.'

Stephen Higgins, 2010-2011

‘One of the most noticeable things about Placement B is that you’re expected to work far more independently than on Placement A. There’s not as much ‘hand holding’ and the focus is less about you as a person and more about your ability to teach young people and carry out the professional responsibilities of a teacher.

On the PGCE course, I have made some fantastic friends, learnt a lot about myself and hopefully I’m now on my way to becoming a good teacher. It hasn’t always been easy, but the guidance of the University staff, school mentors and course mates makes the journey a lot easier.

I was asked recently by someone who’s thinking about doing the Geography PGCE course next year what the course is like. I think my reply summed up my overall experience of the course: “It’s hard work, but it’s worth it”.'

Sarah Evans, 2010-2011

‘In September I turned up to university not really knowing what to expect apart from that it was going to be a challenging year. I knew some people on the course because they had been at Lancaster University with me but we very quickly bonded as a group and I have made some great friends. When I was at university I really enjoyed being there even with the long days and I learnt so much. It was good to talk to other members of the class and share ideas. I’m now nearing the end of my second placement and fortunately I have got a job at this school. I’m really looking forward to starting my teaching career and although I will miss everyone at university hopefully we will keep in touch.’