We are in the process of finalising our postgraduate taught courses for 2026/27 entry. In the meantime, you can view our 2025/26 courses.
Develop your teaching skills, and qualify as a secondary geography teacher, with our PGCE Secondary Education with Geography course.
At the Institute of Education, you’ll be trained to teach children from secondary school intake at the age of 11 to the end of their A-levels.
Our PGCE Geography course combines theory, research and practical classroom experience with children of different ages. You’ll explore a range of pedagogical approaches to geography teaching – physical, human and environmental.
You will learn through a series of seminars and workshops in a well-resourced campus environment, as well as in the field. You’ll also have the opportunity to use GIS software during your training, and to conduct and reflect upon fieldwork.
Throughout your course, you will:
This Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Secondary Geography course leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), qualifying you to teach the 11-18 age group in secondary schools in England and Wales.
We offer a diverse and experienced community of academics with extensive school teaching and academic experience. You'll be taught by staff who are nationally renowned for their expertise in geography education.
Alongside University of Reading tutors, you will be taught and guided by a team of committed and experienced University-trained school mentors.
Your learning activities will help you develop a toolkit of knowledge and skills, ensuring you are well prepared to tackle challenges and opportunities throughout your training and your career.
At Reading, we embrace cutting-edge geography and maintain up-to-date knowledge of technology in teaching, such as ArcGIS and Digimaps. This software is used in your training and then applied in lessons in schools.
One focus of our PGCE Geography programme is fieldwork. You will have the opportunity to participate in a residential trip, allowing you to reflect on how to facilitate high-quality learning outside the classroom.
Our course has links with the Geographical Association, the Geological Society, Ordnance Survey, and the Royal Geographical Society – all of whom provide guest speakers to our training sessions. We also invite local Heads of Department, teachers and school mentors to participate in your learning.
This course is designed in collaboration with our strong schools partnership, ensuring that it meets both your needs as a learner and the needs of the children you teach.
At secondary level, we have relationships with around 90 schools in the local and surrounding area. It is a testament to the strength of these partnerships and the reputation of our graduates, that most schools in Berkshire employ at least one graduate from the University of Reading.
Placements enable you to develop the skills and knowledge valued by employers. You'll build your confidence in the classroom and gain practical teaching experience.
Placements also provide you with the opportunity to connect with potential employers and build your professional network.
On your secondary PGCE course, you'll carry out school placements in contrasting educational contexts, ensuring you receive a broad range of experiences. Your placements will cover the full 11–18 age range, and you will visit at least one primary school as part of your studies.
In your school placement, you will:
We offer a flexible and broad range of educational environments. You'll have the opportunity to gain experience in:
98% of our research is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Education).
For more information, please visit the Institute of Education website.
