PGCE
(Secondary): Media
Offering you a balance of theory and practice, this programme provides the opportunity to explore and understand the ways that the key concepts of Media Studies and Film Studies are taught at secondary school and at post-16 level.
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Why study (Secondary): Media at Goldsmiths
- Media is a powerful and democratising subject that develops young people’s critical thinking skills. You’ll learn about approaches for teaching the current formal media curriculum and ways of drawing on students’ own media experiences to enhance their understanding. We will look at ways that teachers can adapt their teaching to reflect the changing media landscape and how practical work can be used to enhance students understanding of theoretical ideas.
- You will have the opportunity to learn at the English and Media Centre, where much of this programme’s teaching will take place.
- You will gain an understanding of the different media and film related courses taught across KS4 and 5 and develop your media production skills. You will observe expert teachers tackling key issues in media and cultural studies related to semiotics, genre, narrative, representation (gender and race), audience, media industries, ideology, post-modernism, and auteur theory and spectatorship in Film studies. You will also begin teaching these academic ideas on school placement.
- The course also looks at the role of media education and media literacy more broadly, examining policy and practices in relation to issues such as resilience to media messaging, digital citizenship and positive online participation.
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Claire Pollard.
Teacher Training Code
V077
Length
1 year full-time
Fees
Home - full-time: £9250
International - full-time: £20160
Department
What you'll study
- In addition to exploring pedagogy, assessment and classroom organisation, the programme will include consideration of the role of media education in schools and issues around media and digital literacy. You will also develop your practical skills, gaining experience in teaching pre-production, production and post-production.
- You'll have the opportunity to learn at the English & Media Centre, where much of this programme's teaching will take place.
- The programme is taught and assessed at masters level. In addition to the award of QTS, if you pass all academic elements of the programme at an appropriate level, you will graduate with 60 masters level credits which are equivalent to one-third of a masters degree.
- Full academic support is provided to ensure you are fully prepared for assessment regardless of your prior experiences.
School-based work
During the autumn term (term 1) you are placed in your first school, the aim is induction, both into schooling and the teaching of media, and into learning and teaching practices.
You do this by:
- Observing teachers working and pupils participating in learning activities
- Learning about whole school policies and practices
- Studying the media curriculum at Key Stages 3 and 4 (examinations)
- Progressively taking on teaching activities, initially in tandem with the class teacher
Spring and summer terms (terms 2 and 3) are devoted to teaching practice in a second school, developing your competence to meet the Professional Standards.
You will design a scheme of work for the Key Stage 3 curriculum, and develop your understanding of pupil learning styles, National Curriculum requirements, assessment and examinations.
Learning & teaching
A range of teaching methods are employed across all our PGCE programmes, including:
- Taught subject sessions
- Practical workshops
- Compulsory lectures
- Seminars
- Group and individual tutorials
- Individual and group presentations
- Supported self-study
Entry requirements
- You must meet our fitness to train requirements.
- A GCSE Grade C/4 or above in English and Mathematics. Please note, we can only accept some UK and international GCSE equivalent qualifications. If you have a non-UK qualification that you believe is GCSE equivalent, you must check this with the Admissions team.
- An undergraduate honours degree, at 2:2 or above from a university in the United Kingdom or an international equivalent in a subject related to Media Studies or Film. Applicants with an undergraduate degree in a different subject, but with extensive experience working within the media industries, will also be considered.
International qualifications
If you have a non-UK qualification that you believe is GCSE equivalent, you must check this with the Admissions team.
How to apply
You apply for this PGCE through the Department for Education’s Apply for Teacher Training website. More information about the process can be found on the Get into Teaching website.
Please take a look at the information on applying, including the specific qualifications or experience you need for this course.
There's no closing date for primary or secondary applications, but we advise you to apply early to avoid disappointment.
Interview process
Interviews will require you to demonstrate your own knowledge of the subjects you intend on teaching as well as include activities to gauge your understanding of the teaching profession.
Activities at the interview will include:
- A written English test
- Presenting a novel suitable for KS3 study to a small group
- An individual interview
- You will also be asked to complete a specific task that connects to the teaching of Media or Film
All interviews will take place at the English & Media Centre.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees
These are the PGCE fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year.
- Home - full-time: £9250
- International - full-time: £20160
If your fees are not listed here, please contact the Fees Office - fees (@gold.ac.uk).
Funding opportunities
Find out more about fees and funding opportunities for PGCE applicants. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.
There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.
