PGCE Secondary Education with Drama
Become a drama teacher and earn Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Marjon is the top university in the UK for education-based courses in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2021. We've been training teachers for 180 years, we know education.
Entry requirements
A degree at 2:2 or above
GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 or grade C or above (or an equivalent qualification)
Experience of working with young people
Full entry requirements
See our full entry requirements and information about interviews for PGCE Secondary Education.
Any questions about postgraduate study at Marjon?
Contact Rachel Bailey-Lewis, our Student Recruitment Officer (Postgraduate).
Course Summary
Do you want to become an outstanding teacher? Our specialist PGCE in Secondary Education with Drama is a direct route to a career of which you can be proud. Drama teachers empowering young people and this course aims to produce dynamic confident, and creative teachers who are committed to making drama accessible for all.
Our PGCE Drama includes a specific focus on the use of masterclasses and develops a range of teaching styles appropriate to the delivery of Drama within the National Curriculum and GCSE/A Level specifications.
During this varied PGCE Drama, trainees acquire a broad and deep understanding of a teacher’s daily activities in challenging and diverse settings. Furthermore, our PGCE Drama trainees take up ‘enhancements’ linked to other curriculum subjects e.g English, primary phase or Special Education Needs and Diversity.
The curriculum is based around three themes and these are embedded in all MTEP modules across our provision and is carefully structured to provide you with the skills and subject knowledge required to teach effectively:
The themes are:
- The professional role of the developing teacher
- Development of teaching and learning
- Curriculum and specialisms
Our processes are aligned with the MTEP curriculum, the CCF, the ECF, the ITE Ofsted inspection framework and the Teachers’ Standards and explicitly considers how all components are sequenced incrementally to build your expertise and confidence. You are taught, trained and supported at both the centre and on placement by expert colleagues.
Collaborative learning and a strong culture of support underpin our PGCE Drama, and trainees will enjoy a stimulating and effective learning environment from start to finish. Ofsted 2014 commented: “Beyond having very positive attitudes and commitment to teaching, they show a passion for their subject, and want students to do well and enjoy their work.”
Why this course at Marjon?
Top university in the UK for education-based courses in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2021
93.9 % of our graduates are in further study, sustained employment or both five years after graduating, compared to a sector average for England of 88.2% - we are 1st in the South West (LEO, 2019)
Marjon Teacher Education Partnership has well-established links with over 300 schools across the South West and London
Marjon education and teaching graduates are 3rd in all University providers for graduate earnings five years after leaving the university (Institute for Fiscal Studies, 2018)
Our graduates are more socially mobile than other providers across the South West with more trainees gaining NQT employment in more diverse areas (DFE Supply, Retention and Mobility data, 2018)
Learn from excellent role models - work with outstanding teachers and specialist leaders in education, and with tutors who are engaged in hard hitting research into key educational issues
Modules for this course
1st Year
Professional practice in schools
Learning behaviours in context
Becoming a teacher: a reflective journey
Inclusion in the secondary classroom: maximising achievement
Understanding the learner: assessment and progress
This course is perfect if you’re curious about these questions:
How can I build strong relationships with pupils, colleagues and parents in school?
How can I promote a love of learning in my pupils and a passion for Drama?
How can I overcome young people’s fears of performing in front of their peers?
How can I raise the profile of drama in schools by showing how pupils develop personally and socially?
How do good teachers keep on top of their workload?
How do I best prepare for applying for teaching jobs?
“ All trainees commented on how well the schools were set up for the start of their placements which helped them settle in well ... Trainees were able to talk with confidence about their teaching experiences and all knew the specific areas that they had to develop as they go into their NQT year.”
What might you become?
Plymouth Marjon University is widely renowned for producing excellent teachers. We have superb links with over 300 partnership schools throughout the South West, London and overseas and our graduates teach in schools across the country. Our wide and diverse partnerships were praised by Ofsted for making "effective use of local diversity and wider links which ensures trainees have breadth and variety in their training, so making them highly employable" (Ofsted, 2014).
We have a long established history of teacher education, we've have 180 years of experience in training teachers. A PGCE from Marjon represents a strong start to any teaching career. 93.9 % of our teaching graduates are in further study, sustained employment or both five years after graduating, compared to a sector average for England of 88.2%. This makes us 1st in the South West (LEO, 2019).
Working with:
Dept for Education
Marjon is recognised as a teacher training provider by the Dept for Education.
School-based learning may be available
How you’ll be taught and assessed?
How will you be taught?
You will have a minimum of 120 days in school in 2 block placements and 12 weeks in University undertaking a range of activities, teaching includes lectures, seminars, workshops, conferences, tutorials, independent study or research and school based training.
How will you be assessed?
Assessments relates to your development of practice in school. All are coursework based, you will generate reflective journals, portfolios, essays and presentations.
Placement assessment is carried out by school mentors and university tutors against the three themes of the MTEP curriculum:
- The professional role of the developing teacher
- Development of teaching and learning
- Curriculum and specialisms
Giles is Programme lead for the Secondary PGCEs and Schools Direct.
Fees and funding
Fees UK students: £9,250
Fees for International students: £14,500
This fee covers your tuition and access to course-specific equipment and facilities, as well associated services including access to the library, study skills support, IT support, student support and wellbeing services and membership of the Student Union. There may be additional costs by course.
Funding available for this course
Our Student Funding Advisors offer confidential and impartial advice about your funding options.
Learn more about fundingLecturers
Claire is Programme lead for the Secondary PGCEs and Schools Direct. Claire's specialist subject is English and before joining Marjon she worked in various secondary schools in Exeter as well for South West Teacher Training. Her research interests are reflective practice, teacher identity and retention.
More information
See the how to get into teaching guide for tips from our lecturers, trainees and recent teaching graduates.
Apply now for this course
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