PGCE Secondary Education with Geography
Become a geography teacher and earn Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Marjon offers the highest quality teacher training which means our education graduates earn high wages and are quickly ready to progress to school leadership roles. Government-funded bursaries are now available for this subject - contact us to find out more.
Entry requirements
A degree at 2:2 or above
GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 or grade C or above (or an equivalent qualification)
Experience of working with young people
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and trainees. All trainees are expected to share this commitment and demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct.
Full entry requirements
See our full entry requirements and information about interviews for PGCE Secondary.
Any questions about postgraduate study at Marjon?
Contact Rachel Bailey-Lewis, our Student Recruitment Officer (Postgraduate).
Course Summary
Our specialist PGCE Geography is a direct route to a career of which you can be proud. Geography stimulates an interest in and a sense of wonder about places, this course develops a range of teaching styles appropriate to the delivery of Geography within the National Curriculum and GCSE/A Level specifications.
Geography inspires pupils to become global citizens by exploring their own place in the world, their values and responsibilities to other people, to the environment and to the sustainability of the planet. Our PGCE Geography aims to produce dynamic, confident, and innovative teachers who are committed to making Geography accessible for all.
This course has been planned jointly with geography teachers in our partner schools to prepare you to be sensitive to the need to adapt to the rapidly changing nature of geography and of education in schools. You'll work with dedicated subject mentors in our partnership schools; training in schools is of an extremely high quality, supportive but rigorous. Furthermore, our PGCE Geography trainees take up ‘enhancements’ linked to other curriculum subjects, such as other humanities areas, primary phase or Special Education Needs and Diversity.
The curriculum is based around three themes and these are embedded in all MTEP modules across our provision and is carefully structured to provide you with the skills and subject knowledge required to teach effectively:
The themes are:
- The professional role of the developing teacher
- Development of teaching and learning
- Curriculum and specialisms
Our processes are aligned with the MTEP curriculum, the CCF, the ECF, the ITE Ofsted inspection framework and the Teachers’ Standards and explicitly considers how all components are sequenced incrementally to build your expertise and confidence.
At Marjon, we pride ourselves on the quality of our initial teacher education programmes and the impact that has on your progress in schools, we recognise that you all start the PGCE Geography with different levels of knowledge and experience and the programme from the start is personalized to meet your needs.
Why this course at Marjon?
Top university in the UK for education-based courses in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2021
93.9 % of our graduates are in further study, sustained employment or both five years after graduating, compared to a sector average for England of 88.2% - we are 1st in the South West (LEO, 2019)
We have relationships with around 300 schools to give you a wide choice of learning experiences
Marjon education and teaching graduates are 3rd in all University providers for graduate earnings five years after leaving the university (Institute for Fiscal Studies, 2018)
Our graduates are more socially mobile than other providers across the South West with more trainees gaining ECT employment in more diverse areas (DFE Supply, Retention and Mobility data, 2018)
We recognise the value of excellent role models in initial teacher training and promote the involvement of outstanding teachers and specialist leaders in education in working with trainees
Modules for this course
1st Year
Professional practice in schools
Learning behaviours in context
Becoming a teacher: a reflective journey
Inclusion in the secondary classroom: maximising achievement
Understanding the learner: assessment and progress
Current students say...
Alex Wordsworth
“The tutors give me the trust and freedom to become the teacher I want to be. There is plenty of guidance and help. Personally, I’ve feel like I’ve become a more balanced and deeper-thinking individual; the course and the placements have helped with this no end. It has been an opportunity to reignite previous interests and to explore topics that are relevant to me and my pupils.”
This course is perfect if you’re curious about these questions:
How can I build strong relationships with pupils, colleagues and parents in school?
How can I promote a love of learning in my pupils and a passion for Geography?
How can field work be used to bring Geography to life?
What can I do to develop my ability to become a leader in education?
How do good teachers keep on top of their workload?
How do I best prepare for applying for teaching jobs?
“ The overall quality of training continues to be a very positive one judging by the comments made by TTs that I ‘met’ ... this goes for both university and school-based training sessions ... the humanities curriculum tutor has clearly provided thorough support to the trainee teachers throughout the training year and this was echoed strongly by the trainee teachers.”
What might you become?
Plymouth Marjon University is widely renowned for producing excellent teachers. We have superb links with over 300 partnership schools throughout the South West, London and overseas and our graduates teach in schools across the country. Our curriculum was praised by Ofsted for being "Designed to ensure you are well prepared for your wider professional responsibilities, including for pupils’ pastoral care. You will gain a secure understanding of how best to teach personal, social, health and citizenship education, in addition to your chosen subject specialism" (Ofsted, 2023).
We have a long established history of teacher education, we've got 180 years of experience in training teachers. A PGCE from Marjon represents a strong start to any teaching career. The Guardian University Guide 2024 ranked us Top 5 in the UK for education.
Working with:
Dept for Education
Marjon is recognised as a teacher training provider by the Dept for Education.
School-based learning may be available
How you’ll be taught and assessed?
How will you be taught?
Collaborative learning, critical reflection and a strong culture of support underpin the PGCE Geography. You will have a minimum of 120 days in school in 2 block placements and 12 weeks in University undertaking a range of activities, teaching includes lectures, seminars, field work, workshops, conferences, tutorials, independent study or research and school based training.
How will you be assessed?
Assessments relates to your development of practice in school. All are coursework based, you will generate reflective journals, portfolios, essays and presentations.
Placement assessment is carried out by school mentors and university tutors against the three themes of the MTEP curriculum:
- The professional role of the developing teacher
- Development of teaching and learning
- Curriculum and specialisms
Claire is Programme lead for the Secondary PGCEs and Schools Direct. Claire's specialist subject is English and before joining Marjon she worked in various secondary schools in Exeter as well for South West Teacher Training. Her research interests are reflective practice, teacher identity and retention.
Fees and funding
Fees UK students: £9,250
Fees for International students: £13,000
This fee covers your tuition and access to course-specific equipment and facilities, as well associated services including access to the library, study skills support, IT support, student support and wellbeing services and membership of the Student Union. There may be additional costs by course.
Funding available for this course
Our Student Funding Advisors offer confidential and impartial advice about your funding options.
Government-funded bursaries are now available for some students studying this course.
Learn moreLecturers
Jonathan’s career as a history teacher has spanned over 25 years, working in secondary schools in Sussex, Suffolk and Cornwall. Previously, he has worked for Cornwall LEA as an Advanced Skills Teacher, supporting history departments, NQTs and recent entrants to the teaching profession across the county. He is a Teacher Fellow of the Historical Association.
Claire is Programme lead for the Secondary PGCEs and Schools Direct. Claire's specialist subject is English and before joining Marjon she worked in various secondary schools in Exeter as well for South West Teacher Training. Her research interests are reflective practice, teacher identity and retention.
More information
- See our PGCE and School Direct presentation.
- See how to get into teaching for advice on applying for PGCE.
Apply now for this course
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