Learn how to share your enthusiasm for chemistry and inspire the next generation of children and young people. This course enables you to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). It equips you to teach National Curriculum science at Key Stages 3 and 4 and to teach chemistry at higher level Key Stage 4 and post-16 teaching. Chemistry teachers are in high demand, so the job prospects when you qualify are very good. And since chemistry is a priority subject, you could be eligible for a tax-free bursary of up to £25,000. During the course you develop the skills, knowledge and understanding to teach pupils of all abilities by • enhancing your subject knowledge and skills • learning to use relevant literature, research and educational theories relating to teaching science and the wider curriculum • building your confidence and enthusiasm to become a successful teacher of pupils at all levels of ability • developing a wide range of interactive and engaging teaching strategies • developing your classroom management and behaviour management skills • using a variety of techniques for monitoring pupils' progress • learning about the wider role of teachers in school • learning about the way schools and the education system function • understanding how to apply your skills and knowledge in a school setting • developing your evaluation and critical reflection skills • meeting the QTS standard for teachers With our PGCE you complete two periods of school-based training in 11–16, 11–18 or post-16 settings. This allows you to experience the full progression through at least two key stages. In total you spend around 120 days on school-based training. While on placement you benefit from excellent support and mentoring from a university-trained mentor. We have placement links with over 600 schools and other institutions, we are also involved with a variety of lead schools on the School Direct programme, and many of our students end up being offered teaching jobs in the schools that they train in. All of our practical sessions take place in purpose-built labs, which replicate the teaching areas typically found in schools. During the course, you’ll be able to choose to complete either the PGCE or the professional graduate certificate in education (ProfGCE). Both qualifications will earn you QTS status, but the PGCE also gives you 60 credits towards a masters degree.

We have a superb record for graduate employment: Over 96% per cent of our PGCE graduates are teaching or in further study within six months of graduating. Many students gain employment in the region, thanks to our excellent links with over 600 placement partners. About a third of our students accept a job where they did a placement. After completing this course, you are able to teach science at Key Stages 3 and 4, and to teach chemistry at a higher level, at Key Stage 4 and post-16. You could choose to teach in a range of settings, such as 11–16 or 11–18, as well as in the learning and skills sector (also called post-16 or post-compulsory education). The UK government is actively recruiting more science teachers, so specialising in chemistry is a good move.