Entry Qualifications

• Applicants are considered from a variety of backgrounds.

• Normally, applicants possess a good honours first degree comprising at least 50% Geography (preferably a balance of both Human and Physical).

• Joint Honours degrees, for example Geography and Development Studies, are also considered. Degrees in closely related subjects such as Environmental Science, Geology, African Studies, etc. will be considered where combined with a good grade in A level Geography or substantial, relevant and broad geographical experience and understanding can be demonstrated.

• We would normally expect confidence and familiarity in using a range of ICT applications.

• Applicants should be hard-working and self-motivated, possess an analytical mind and be able to demonstrate a high level of communication skills.

• An interest in young people and how they learn is essential.

Course Description

This one year full-time programme will equip trainees to teach Geography within the 11-16 age range in a variety of schools and colleges (including Welsh medium if requested).

The Geography PGCE course provides a first rate professional introduction to a teaching career and stimulating opportunities to gain the confidence and skills for dealing with the daily challenges of teaching geography in a secondary school.

The PGCE programme is organised into two blocks of taught sessions complemented by directed time self-study, each followed by practical teaching experiences in two (contrasting) schools.

The first block focuses on equipping you with the skills to recognise good practice in geography teaching and to manage teaching in a classroom.

The second block focuses on developing a deeper understanding of learning and assessment, on widening the range of teaching strategies and tackling approaches to more complex concepts and dimensions of geography.

All trainees undertake a programme of research designed to refresh and to extend geographical knowledge.

The emphasis is on good subject knowledge, rigorous planning, interaction, imagination, critical reflection and hard work!

The Geography PGCE will equip you with the skills to:

• Know how to transform your geographical expertise into effective and successful Geography lessons.

• Develop an understanding of how pupils learn Geography.

• Evaluate your teaching to improve quality and professionalism in the classroom.

Here are some of the reasons we suggest the Swansea School of Education Geography PGCE provides a successful and professional training experience :

• a strong tradition in training quality Geography teachers;

• a staged and structured training programme that weaves together the theory and practice of geography education;

• emphasis on recent trends in geography teaching and learning approaches;

• a well-established partnership between schools and Geography Departments throughout the South Wales area, working with trained and experienced teacher mentors;

• high levels of professional support available in both university and school;

• integrated use of ICT into the learning process;

• a good employment record within Wales and England;

• opportunity to gain fieldwork management and safety skills and experience.

Tuition Fees 2012/2013

PGCE Programmes - £9,000

Students will not have to pay up-front for their tuition. Tuition fees will be paid for by a loan which students will only start to repay once they have left their course and are earning over £21,000 a year. Eligible Welsh and non-UK EU domiciled students will be entitled to receive a fee grant to cover fees above £3,465. This grant is non-means-tested and does not have to be repaid. For further details, please visit www.tda.ac.uk  , www.studentfinancewales.co.uk    or www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

PGCE Training Grants 2012/13

Incentive grants available in Wales for new eligible students on PGCE Secondary and Primary courses in 2012 are as follows:

These incentives will be variable depending on degree qualification. Eligible postgraduate students with a first class degree will recieve the highest funding levels, with progressively lower amounts for those with a 2:1 or 2:2

CONTACT

Laura Aston on 01792 481202
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Or Admissions Officer on 01792 481094
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it