Citizenship PGCE
London, Bloomsbury
This is the programme information for 2026/27 entry
If you require details of the previous year's programme, Citizenship PGCE (2025/26), click here
The Citizenship PGCE offers you the opportunity to learn to teach at the leading edge of Citizenship education for the 11-16 age range, and to develop your knowledge and understanding of teaching a range of associated subjects at A level/post-16. These subjects include government and politics, humanities, economics, media literacy, climate/disaster education, international relations/affairs, peace education, philosophy, social sciences, law, personal development, active citizenship and personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education.
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
Duration
Programme starts
Applications accepted
Applications open
Applications open
Early application is advised as courses may close as soon as places are filled. Applicants should check the government website for the latest vacancy information.
Skills
This course will give you everything you need to face the classroom, both the pedagogical theory and the practical skills to be an inspiring teacher.
Support
Our gradual immersion approach will introduce you to the classroom progressively, from one pupil to the whole class.
Experience
Placement in very diverse, carefully chosen schools will allow you to learn from different contexts and be prepared to teach in any school.
Start teaching
With a PGCE you can start teaching as soon as you complete the course and are recommended for Qualified Teacher Status.
IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, has been ranked 1st for Education in the QS World University Rankings by Subject since 2014.
About this course
The Citizenship PGCE supports you to teach young people about the knowledge, skills and concepts they need to become a democratic and participatory citizen in society.
On the course, you will learn how to teach children and young people about political, legal, economic and media, literacy. You will inspire them to think about the changing world, drawing on perspectives about rights, climate, sustainability, equality, diversity and inclusion. You will also learn how to build criticality in young people so that they can develop clear evidence-based viewpoints bringing in intersectional and diverse ideas.
You will learn how to plan for compelling and engaging learning in Citizenship education that both supports, inspires and challenges students as they prepare for qualifications and their wider life as citizens in society.
The Citizenship PGCE features four Intensive Teaching and Practice (ITAP) sequences designed to establish and develop your Citizenship teaching throughout the year. Closely linking theory and practice, and enabling you to observe, deconstruct, plan, practise and progress in specific areas of teaching, these focus on:
- Establishing positive learning environments.
- Planning and sequencing Citizenship knowledge, concepts and skills.
- Oracy and debate; complex discussions in a Citizenship classroom.
- Developing Active Citizenship.
Who this course is for
The course is suited to those wishing to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for teaching in a UK maintained (state-funded) school and who have fulfilled the appropriate entry requirements.
Backgrounds in areas such as youth work, teaching assistant work, Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), NGO/charity work, campaigning and activism are advantageous (though you do not need to have this experience to apply).
This course is suitable for a wide range of subject knowledge backgrounds including applicants who have knowledge/experience of politics, media literacy, humanities subjects, law, international relations, youth studies/work, community studies/work, anthropology, human rights, political ideologies, democracy, peace work/studies, climate or environment studies or others – contact the course leader if you would like to check your eligibility.
Additionally, while visiting schools/or observing teaching is useful it is not necessary and we often have applications from candidates with strong knowledge, or motivation in the subject area but with less experience visiting schools. The most important thing for your application is that you show a keen willingness to develop in both the subject and your teaching practice.
What this course will give you
The Citizenship PGCE is led by an experienced and innovative Citizenship educator, Hans Svennevig. Hans has taught in Citizenship education for 20+ years and is involved in a range of Citizenship education activities and organisations that inform the development of the PGCE. As such, student teachers at UCL Institute of Education (IOE) are at the forefront of the latest specialist teaching approaches.
IOE is fortunate to partner with some of the best schools for Citizenship, with many of our mentors being alumni of IOE's Citizenship PGCE course. Our partner schools guarantee at least 50% of a student teacher’s timetable are citizenship topics. We also provide opportunities for you to teach GCSE Citizenship in one or both schools and some schools have opportunities to teach A level or to have other post-16 experiences.
The course educates teachers in a dynamic, creative and innovative way, drawing in experts across the Citizenship education field to explore current affairs, controversial and sensitive issues and the teaching of community action. All of this knowledge, the concepts and the skill-based pedagogies can be successfully applied to Citizenship education and additional subjects that graduates go on to teach. Our approach to Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) is proudly subject-specific. Our ITAP sequences are embedded through the Citizenship course and will give you the opportunity to build your practice and confidence in pivotal areas of Citizenship pedagogy including around the teaching of controversial issues and active Citizenship.
The Citizenship PGCE has significant links with the subject association - the Association for Citizenship Teaching. These links help connect you to high-quality resources, continuous professional development and to a range of speakers and events.
All students who have completed this course went on to get a job or further study in their chosen field. 100% of students rate the Citizenship PGCE course good-outstanding for satisfaction each year (IOE Secondary PGCE student teacher survey, 2021-24).
Making an impact
Citizenship education and climate injustice
Can schools bear the weight of a warming world? Sustainability is something we all know about, so how can we take action? Read reflections from a Citizenship student teacher.
Structure
The course is taught through a mix of face-to-face and online sessions, (including keynote lectures and debates, presentations, discussions, and classroom group tasks), and a practical teaching element based in two schools. You are required to read widely and to carry out written assignments in your own time.
You will also take part in activities that provide the opportunity to focus on developing specific, pivotal areas of teaching through our ITAP sequences. These opportunities (totalling 20 days, 4 of which are school-based) will strengthen the link between theory and practice and provide you with specific feedback to support your progress in these pivotal areas.
Assessment is by practical teaching, assignments, portfolio tasks and through an oral presentation.
The PGCE is a full-time course, designed so you learn to teach in schools for approximately two-thirds of the course (124 days) and through IOE-based learning in the other third.
When you are not undertaking teaching and learning activities at IOE or in other forms outside of schools, you will spend at least 124 days of study and practice in a range of school settings – including two longer placements in IOE partnership schools. Because actual placement dates are determined by partner school term dates, the exact number of days spent in school for any given student may vary slightly.
Contact hours vary throughout the year depending on whether you are on placement or attending IOE.
University sessions typically run from 9.00am (earliest) to 5.30pm (latest). During school placements, you will be expected to attend according to the school’s policy. This will typically involve attending at least 30 minutes before the start of the school day and leaving at least 30 minutes after the school day ends (with additional time expected if there are particular departmental or other meetings you need to attend). You will have readings and additional self-directed study to complete in addition to these contact hours.
The course really does prepare you for teaching in so many ways. There were sessions on practically everything – planning, assessments, behaviour, pastoral care, SEN, dealing with controversial issues… The list goes on.
Modules
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You will undertake two modules at level 7 (Master’s level) of 30 credits each and one Professional Practice module at level 6. The level 7 credits can be carried forward onto some full Master’s courses at IOE (check individual course requirements). You will be awarded a PGCE when you successfully complete all three modules.
Throughout the year, you will also participate in specific activities at IOE and in school that focus on important areas of our curriculum. Our ITAP sequences (totalling 20 days with at least 4 of these days in school) will help you to better understand links between theory and practice. They will also involve feedback from experts so that your progress is supported in these pivotal areas.
Compulsory modules
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.
Upon successful completion of 60 credits and the Professional Practice module, you will be awarded a PGCE in Citizenship.
Fieldwork
You will take part in a few trips each year, such as to Parliament, and to other dynamic centres of learning. These opportunities help you learn how to develop and later lead school trips of your own.
School placements
You will spend most of your time in schools, working with Citizenship mentors who support you through your two school placements. We are fortunate to have an exceptionally strong choice of schools with whom we work, with many outstanding mentors and strong citizenship departments.
The Professional Practice module is assessed through these placements, associated tasks and a portfolio built up throughout the year.
During placement periods, you will need to travel to and from each school placement. Please be aware that not all schools have parking and that there is variation in how accessible schools are. However, if you let us know of any particular accessibility needs you have, we will endeavour to accommodate them.
We ensure your placement will provide fulfilling and valuable experiences through:
- A dedicated team who will identify the best schools for your placements
- Support and guidance from your university tutor and your school-based mentor
- School experience that allows you to progress at an appropriate pace for you
- Reasonable travel times from your home to your school
Making the most of your placement
Teaching is a demanding profession and student teachers can feel nervous about school placements or anxious about the workload. Your tutor and school-based mentor will help you navigate your school experience, ensuring that you have the input you need. Empathetic feedback and discussion about your developing professional practice will support you to be successful.
Accessibility
The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.
Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.
For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.
Where you'll study
The Department of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment brings together world-leading research, teaching and learning, which reflects our expertise in and contributes to high quality education, teaching and teacher development. We specialise in geography, economics, business, mathematics, history, religious education, citizenship, science, assessment and curriculum studies in education.
Visit us
Online - Open day
Graduate Open Events: Secondary PGCE Overview and Subject Talks
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The event features a series of sessions where you can discover UCL’s world-leading Teacher Training programmes in Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Further Education, and explore the various routes into teaching. Each phase will have dedicated sessions, providing an opportunity to meet course leaders and learn more about the programmes that interest you. Additionally, there will be sessions where you can ask questions about Admissions and Student Funding for Teacher Training.
Online - Open day
Graduate Open Events: Teacher Training Admissions Q&A
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The event features a series of sessions where you can discover UCL’s world-leading Teacher Training programmes in Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Further Education, and explore the various routes into teaching. Each phase will have dedicated sessions, providing an opportunity to meet course leaders and learn more about the programmes that interest you. Additionally, there will be sessions where you can ask questions about Admissions and Student Funding for Teacher Training.
Online - Open day
Graduate Open Events: Teacher Training Student Funding Overview and Q&A
—
The event features a series of sessions where you can discover UCL’s world-leading Teacher Training programmes in Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Further Education, and explore the various routes into teaching. Each phase will have dedicated sessions, providing an opportunity to meet course leaders and learn more about the programmes that interest you. Additionally, there will be sessions where you can ask questions about Admissions and Student Funding for Teacher Training.
Got questions? Get in touch
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