find your perfect postgrad program
Search our Database of 30,000 Courses
Manchester Metropolitan University: PGCE Secondary Music with QTS*
| Institution | Manchester Metropolitan University View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of Education |
| Web | www.mmu.ac.uk/international |
| Study type | Taught |
Postgraduate Certificate in Education - PGCE
Summary
*with a recommendation for QTS
Our one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) prepares you to teach the secondary school music curriculum for the 11-16 age range.
This is a practical course where you will be immersed in music-making and teaching and encouraged to use and develop your musical skills. You’ll be taught through hands-on sessions and explore topics that support musical learning, using both acoustic and digital instruments to strengthen your subject knowledge. You’ll consider creative and inclusive ways to teach music and how to engage pupils in meaningful musical experiences.
A key focus of the course is on teaching music musically. You’ll learn how to plan and deliver lessons that are rich in musical content and activity - lessons that enable pupils to make, understand, and enjoy music, rather than simply learning about it.
You’ll also actively engage with how music education can promote inclusion and support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), exploring strategies that make music accessible and meaningful for all learners.
We have a strong partnership with the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), with some elements of the course co-delivered by RNCM colleagues. When you’re at Manchester Met, you’ll mainly study with your PGCE music group - one of your greatest learning resources.
You’ll learn how to plan lessons, consider how research informs effective teaching, and reflect on your developing teacher persona. Peer collaboration is also central to the course, enabling you to share knowledge and experience with your fellow trainees.
Features and Benefits - Employability - You’ll have the skills and experience to teach music at Key Stage 3, GCSE and potentially A/AS-levels.
-
Teaching experience - You will spend at least the minimum Department for Education (DfE) required time (approximately 120 days) on placement, gaining experience in mainstream secondary schools.
-
Postgraduate credits - When you graduate, you’ll achieve 60 masters level credits (this is one-third of a masters degree). You can put these towards a masters degree to help you develop your new career.
-
Partnerships - We have partnerships with over 500 schools, colleges and educational organisations, meaning we are able to provide students with a range of school experiences.
-
Research-led teaching – Many of our staff are active researchers in education and their research influences our programmes. The School of Education at Manchester Met ranks in the UK’s top 10 research power in education (Research Excellence Framework, 2021) and the Institute of Children’s Futures launched in November 2024 which brings together academics, policy makers and practitioners to improve the lives of young people.
-
Student support - You’ll receive guidance throughout your journey, including academic support from subject tutors and professional mentoring while on placements, helping you develop the skills and knowledge to meet Teachers’ Standards.
Application process - You can apply directly to Manchester Met or through one of our lead partner schools. Applications are made via the Department for Education (DfE) Apply for Teacher Training service - https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Please see our website for information on entry requirements. |
| Location | Main Site Academic Division Oxford Road All Saints Manchester M15 6BH |
Summary
Our one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) prepares you to teach the secondary school music curriculum for the 11-16 age range. This is a practical course where you will be immersed in music making, teaching and encouraged to use and develop your musical skills. We teach you through practical sessions, and you’ll consider topics such as singing, pop music, dance, song writing and developing your subject knowledge. You’ll explore immersive ways to teach music and how to encourage pupils to engage with musical experiences. We have a partnership with the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and have some co-delivery with colleagues from the RNCM. To help you explore how trips can benefit your students, you’ll typically be encouraged to visit a variety of musical venues across Manchester. This includes theatre schools and music organisations with outreach programmes. When you’re at Manchester Met, you’ll mainly study with your PGCE music group. They are one of your greatest learning resources. You’ll consider how to plan lessons, reflect on your planning, learn how research can develop your teaching practice, and look at ways to develop your teacher persona. You’ll also learn through peer collaboration, sharing knowledge with your fellow music trainees.
Features and Benefits: • Employability - You’ll have the skills and experience to teach music at Key Stage 3, GCSE and potentially A/AS-levels.
• Teaching experience - You will spend at least the minimum Department for Education (DfE) required time in schools (approximately 120 days) on placements in schools, gaining experience in mainstream secondary schools.
• Postgraduate credits - When you graduate, you’ll achieve 60 masters level credits (this is one-third of a masters degree). You can put these towards a masters degree to help you develop your new career.
• Partnerships - We have partnerships with over 500 schools, colleges and educational organisations, meaning we are able to provide students with a range of school experiences.
• Research-led teaching - Our research centre, the Education and Social Research Institute (ESRI), ranks in the UK’s top 10 for research power in education (Research Excellence Framework, 2021).
Application process - You can apply directly to Manchester Met or through one of our lead partner schools. Applications are made via the Department for Education (DfE) Apply for Teacher Training service - https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training.
- with a recommendation for QTS
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Degree You can apply with GCSEs pending for this course and sit the relevant equivalency tests approved by Manchester Met (see our admissions tutor team for approved equivalency providers). As per government requirements for teacher training courses, we are not able to accept key skills, adult numeracy and literacy or functional skills as an alternative to GCSE English language and mathematics. We are not able to consider Level 3 qualifications (e.g A-levels, BTECs) as an alternative to GCSE English language and mathematics. Successful candidates will demonstrate a good understanding of teaching and learning within a secondary school setting. You may be able to evidence your understanding by drawing on related examples or experiences, such as time spent in schools, other educational settings or wider research and reading. If you are due to graduate or have graduated within the last three years your principal referee must be a university lecturer from where you graduated. Other requirements Appropriate post-16 qualifications. |
| Location | Main Site Academic Division Oxford Road All Saints Manchester M15 6BH |
Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester Met) is a historic and internationally recognised institution that dates back to 1824, known for the quality of its teaching and world leading research. The University has been named Modern University of the Year (The Times Good University Guide 2026).
Manchester is an exciting and vibrant city known worldwide for its music, sport, culture and creativity. Living and studying here means being part of a global city that opens doors to opportunity.
Manchester is home to a diverse community of more than 5,000 international students from over 120 countries. International students are offered comprehensive …
View ProfileNot what you are looking for?
Browse other courses in Music, Teaching (secondary teaching) or Music (secondary teaching), or search our comprehensive database of postgrad programs.Postgraduate Bursary Opportunity with Postgrad.com
Are you studying as a PG student at the moment or have you recently been accepted on a postgraduate program? Apply now for one of our £2000 PGS bursaries.
Click here