The PGCE courses at the University are of high quality as evidenced by external and internal quality assurance sytems. The courses are well established, very popular and have excellent retention and employment rates.

The University of Birminham has been at the forefront of the develpment of Level M PGCE courses.

The Primary PGCE consistently features as one of the top ten primary courses in tables formed by data gathered from the TDA Performance Profiles.

Quotes from external examiners

'The Partnership with schools is a clear strength. The small team of link tutors know their schools well and are highly respected by school based staff (mentors).' (Primary)

'The PGCE continues to be a very good course of preparation for teaching, well regarded in the local area and deservedly held in high esteem by students.' (Secondary)

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Read profiles of Primary and Secondary students.

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Find out what students have said and what Ofsted have said.

What previous students have said:

"I had an excellent mentor who not only helped me in school but also when I was applying for jobs. I felt the school was really interested in my progress." (English student)

"People told me that I would be very busy and they were right, but I have had marvellous support from the university and my school and I can't wait to start my first real job." (Geography student)

"I was very happy on this course and I learnt a great deal." (Mathematics student)

"My mentor was extremely organised and supportive. She made the time to help us. I also had the chance to be a form tutor which I thoroughly enjoyed - dealing with problems and doing pastoral care." (Physical Education student)

I have to say that my experiences of the PGCE at Birmingham seem a whole lot more positive than those of trainees I have met from other parts of the country. (Primary student)

"The support from my university tutors and my school has been absolutely first rate this year." (Religious Education student)

"I had an excellent introduction to teaching with good support and advice. I was made to feel part of the school and my mentor was extremely approachable and willing to give advice on all areas of school life." (History student)

"If anyone had told me at the beginning of the year, how much I would learn I would not have believed them. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to beginning teaching whereas twelve months ago I would have been dreading it." (Modern Foreign Language student)

Quotes from OFSTED inspections

English 'The university training sessions have a strongly practical emphasis and, together with effective tutorials with mentors, provide students with clear guidance on the teaching of English. Particular strengths observed included the handling of plenary discussions, the resourcing of group activities and the smooth transition from individual work through group tasks to whole-class discussion'.

Geography 'The university training is excellent; all the sessions seen were outstanding. Sessions on the evaluation of textbooks, assessment and the use of spreadsheets in geography, presented trainees with models of high quality teaching'.

History 'The university based sessions inspected ... provided an excellent model of teaching practice ... A striking feature of the university-based course is the involvement of a number of the partnership schools directly in various activities.'

Maths 'Training at the university is based on lively, interesting and well-planned sessions which, in many ways, exemplify good teaching. The school-based sessions seen. were also of high quality, characterised by a business-like approach, insightful, candid reflections on trainees' progress during the week, and the setting of targets for the next week'.

Modern Foreign Languages 'The two university tutors are good linguists who between them are able to cover the. teaching languages offered on the course. They set high standards for trainees and are good teachers'.

Physical Education 'The course programme is designed well to take account of the knowledge and experience that students bring to the course. The quality of training sessions is good or very good'.

Religious Education [Secondary and Primary] 'Throughout the whole course, students are consistently challenged by their trainers to be at their best. Among the course strengths are the opportunities offered to teach alongside experienced RE mentors, manage a range of effective forms of classroom organisation, use a repertoire of appropriate teaching methods, collaborate in team-teaching exercises with peers, visit places of worship, meet members of local faith communities, and pursue individual programmes of study and assignments'.

Science 'The quality of the training sessions is generally very good, trainees are clearly shown how to teach. Trainees are motivated by a wide range of activities which clearly show the input of broad specialist knowledge and experience'