We are no longer considering applications for the Social Science PGCE for 25/26 entry. Please check back later in the year should you wish to apply for the next intake (September 2026).
The PGCE in Social Science is a recognised teaching qualification aligned to the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland professional competences which affords graduates ‘Eligibility to Teach’ (referred to in some other jurisdictions as 'qualified teacher status', QTS). The course is aligned broadly with the Northern Ireland Curriculum, supporting graduates in teaching Social Science across the 11-18+ year age range. We offer three routes within this pathway: Politics, Sociology and Health and Social Care (with students supported in teaching other Social Science related subjects in the curriculum, such as Learning for Life and Work and qualifications cognate to their subject specialism). The programme aims to develop your competence and confidence in the teaching of Social Science and in the general professional role of the teacher.
The PGCE will appeal to you if you wish to move into teaching, if you are a graduate in Social Science or about to graduate in Social Science.
The programme combines university-based tuition, consisting of taught sessions and directed independent study, with professional placements in schools and is organised around three interdependent strands:
Professional School-based Experience - focuses on developing practical teaching competence particularly through working closely with experienced teachers during periods of school placement.
Subject Studies - focuses on teaching and learning within your subject specialism (and cognate areas).
Education and Professional Studies - focuses on common aspects of teaching and the professional role of the teacher, bringing together relevant theory, policy and practice. This includes issues such as: the Northern Ireland education system, curriculum theory and policy, theories of learning and assessment, social class and educational disadvantage, special educational needs and barriers to learning, pastoral care and child protection/safeguarding, student voice, mental health and wellbeing of students, positive behaviour management, diversity and inclusion and whole school approaches to literacy, numeracy and the social and emotional health of young people. Students are also offered a choice of elective courses designed to enhance the subjects and skills they can offer to schools.
Extra places are reserved to prepare those who are interested in teaching their subject through the medium of Irish in Irish-medium schools. An additional certificate in Irish Medium Education (IME) is awarded in conjunction with St Mary's University College.
Closing date for applications: 1 November 2024. Late applications may be accepted (refer to Entry Requirements for details).
Further information, including an Application Guide, can be found on the School website at go.qub.ac.uk/qubpgce.
Over 83% of research submitted by colleagues based in the Education Unit of Assessment was judged to be ‘World Leading’ or ‘Internationally Excellent' by a peer review panel (REF2021).
Education (Social Science) highlights
Student Experience
The Education and Training Inspectorate has assessed the ‘Outcomes for learners’ on the course to be ‘Outstanding’. Students are involved in active, enquiry-based and research-informed learning throughout the course.
Further Study Opportunities
PGCE graduates may transfer 30 credits into one of the School’s Educational Master’s programmes. https://youtu.be/LByYLMT86Fc
Professional Accreditations
We are a General Teaching Council (GTCNI) accredited provider of Initial Teacher Education programmes. On completion of the programme you will achieve Eligibility to Teach / Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
After enrolment, you will complete an Induction week followed by a short placement in a primary school in early September.
The next six week block of the course is devoted to university-based tuition (subject-specific taught sessions and directed independent study) before you commence your first period of professional placement based in a school (11 weeks) after a short mid-term break.
At the beginning of February, you return to university-based tuition in preparation for your second professional period in a school (12 weeks). A final week of university-based tuition completes the course at the beginning of June.
Successful completion of the PGCE depends on achieving satisfactory standards in both practical teaching and in University-based modules, which are assessed through course work.
The extended placements, which we arrange, are normally in two different school types. This ensures a varied experience of teaching in different schools and working with pupils from the whole ability range.
In the two post-primary schools you will work closely with members of each school’s staff. Your subject lecturer from Queen’s will also maintain close co-operative links with these teachers during your school placements.
SSESW Dr Ian Collen coordinates and teaches on the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Modern Languages programme. His research interests are in languages in the primary school, modern languages education and teacher professional development, focusing on bridging the gap between Initial Teacher Education and Beginning Teacher.
SSESW Ms Lesley Emerson is the Co-ordinator of the PGCE in Social Sciences. She is interested in research which seeks to make a difference in children and young people's lives, particularly in the contexts of school and community.
Teaching Times
Typically Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm. School-based placements are dependent on the host school's timetable for the school day.
Learning and Teaching
Learning opportunities available with this course are outlined below:
Indicative Number of Modules per Semester
1.5 modules per Semester (30 CATS points)
Indicative Proportional Mix of Time in Classes, Tutorials/Seminars/Labs, and Private Study in a Teaching Semester
60% lectures and 20% tutorials, 20% private study.
Assessment
Assessments are associated with this course are outlined below:
Coursework comprises subject studies assignments, practical teaching and core tasks arising from lectures, workshops and tutorials addressing key educational issues.
Facilities
The School is situated across a suite of three buildings in Belfast's Queen's Quarter. We provide student and staff common rooms, computer suites and designated study spaces.
The Thomas J. Moran Graduate School connects students across all disciplines to one another, and to mentors, leaders, and employers within the university and beyond. We support postgraduates to become ‘what’s next thinkers’, training you to be thinkers, communicators, innovators and leaders who are future ready. https://www.qub.ac.uk/graduate-school/
What our academics say
"The PGCE in Social Sciences at Queen's is a highly sought after course which prepares students to deliver the Northern Ireland Curriculum up to and including A-level. The course attracts graduates from universities across the island of Ireland, UK and beyond. The course not only prepares students to teach Politics or Sociology or Health and Social Care, but also supports their development in teaching Citizenship Education (as part of the Learning for Life and Work learning area) at Key Stages 3 and 4, and other cognate areas/qualifications. Graduates are thus prepared to offer a diverse range of related subject areas to prospective employers.”
Lesley Emerson, Pathway Convenor (PGCE Social Science)
The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.
Please note the closing date for 2025 entry to this programme is 1st November 2024.
Applications received after the closing date will be regarded as LATE and will be considered only if vacancies exist when all applications received by the closing date have been processed. Normally we do not consider ‘late’ applications before June at the earliest.
All applicants must possess the following:
- At least a 2:2 Honours degree (and/or higher degree) or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University relevant to teaching Politics, Sociology or Health and Social Care to A-level. Degrees in cognate areas may be considered if 50% or more of the modules studied are deemed currently relevant to teaching the chosen Social Science for which you have applied (that is Politics or Sociology or Health and Social Care) to A-level.
- At the time of application, GCSE Mathematics grade C/4, and GCSE English Language grade C/4 or equivalent qualification. (Please note Essential Skills Level 2 qualifications are not regarded as equivalent for entry to this professional course as the professional accrediting authority, the GTCNI, does not recognise them as equivalent. University Access courses must meet DE Circular 2010/03; this means that modules taken must be in the field of English language and/or mathematics as appropriate, and content must be comparable in breadth and depth to GCSE).
We reserve the right to enhance the shortlisting criteria if the course is over-subscribed.
Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed.
Please note, applicants who are successful in obtaining an offer following completion of the selection process must provide official confirmation that they have satisfied any conditions of their offer by 12 noon on Thursday 28th August 2025 as the course will commence on Monday 1st September 2025.
International Students
Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.
English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required.
*Taken within the last 2 years.
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, Queen's University Belfast International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.
This PGCE prepares students for teaching in secondary-level schools (age 11-18+). You will gain ‘Eligibility to Teach’ (referred to in some other jurisdictions as 'qualified teacher status', QTS).
Qualified teachers have found employment in secondary schools, progressing through either a subject specialist or pastoral route into middle and senior management. Others have gone on to successfully complete further postgraduate study.
Elizabeth M Fulton Prize for top performing student in Social Science.
Excellence in Teaching Award – competition across all PGCE subject areas.
Overall Best Performing PGCE Student.
Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.
2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Students are required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure Check with Access NI costing £32 and are responsible for funding this themselves. Students have two mandatory placements in a post-primary school in Northern Ireland and are responsible for funding any travel, accommodation and subsistence. These costs vary depending on the location of the placement provider. Students will be expected to dress professionally and may incur additional costs for clothing. Additional costs will be incurred for the creation of teaching materials whilst on placement, which may be partly absorbed by the placement school.
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.
Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.
Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.
If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.
Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.
There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
How do I fund my study?
The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.
A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.
This module aims to develop students' confidence and competence in the teaching of their chosen specialist subject area (Social Sciences) and in the general professional role of the teacher. Students completing this module should have an informed understanding of curriculum and teaching methodology, subject knowledge and subject application and assessment of pupils' learning in the specialist subject area(s).
Learning Outcomes
The following general subject methods learning outcomes will be translated into subject specific form in the module handbook where they will also be linked to various assessment tasks.
Knowledge and Understanding and Subject Specific Teaching Competence
On successful completion of the course students will demonstrate knowledge, understanding and competence in the application to their own teaching: of the requirements of the Northern Ireland curriculum in relation to this subject, current and revised, and associated examination specifications; of teaching methodologies and how pupils learn; of subject specific pedagogical content knowledge from Key Stage 3 to A level; of the use of ICT in teaching and learning in this subject; of strategies for managing teaching and learning effectively in the classroom; of assessing pupils using a variety of strategies; of various approaches to learning and teaching the subject; of contextual factors which may influence the quality of teaching and learning; of the teaching competences mandated for Northern Ireland; of the importance of continuing professional development.
Skills
On successful completion of the course students will be able to: reflect on their classroom practice through lesson evaluations; reflect on their school experience through their Formative Profile and Career Entry Profile; critically evaluate broader educational issues raised in General Lectures, tutorials and workshops in the context of teaching their subject; reason and think creatively about the teaching and learning of their subject.
Coursework
100%
Examination
0%
Practical
0%
Credits
30
Module Code
EDU7201
Teaching Period
Full Year
Duration
10 weeks
Pre-requisite
No
Core/Optional
Core
Educational and Professional Studies
Overview
Aims: to provide some of the essential background that students will need to understand when working in classrooms and schools; to encourage students to reflect on pedagogy as a systematic discipline that can be theorised and researched with a view to developing more effective practice; to encourage students to reflect on how children learn with a view to optimising their learning through effective pedagogical approaches.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Students will be able to: develop their knowledge and understanding of wider educational issues and practices; analyse and reflect on aspects of school organisation encountered during school experience; consider issues related to teaching as a career (e.g. appointment procedures and career development, membership of professional associations, legal issues in education, child protection issues); understand how the curriculum is designed and assessed; understand how schools interact with and serve society.
Skills
Specific skills
Students will be able to: identify and evaluate educational concepts and issues related to education and to engage in critical debate about current educational issues , drawing on evidence from theory, research and practice; reflect on classroom and group management issues; discuss and reflect on educational issues with other students in other subject areas; discuss and reflect on school experience placements including issues related to preparation.
Cognitive Skills
Students will be able to: critically evaluate the relevance of learning theory to practice; synthesise relevant literature in support of an argument; use research data in support of an argument.
Transferable Skills
Students will be able to: manage their own learning development; learn effectively and be aware of their own learning strategies; systematically develop their skills in essay writing at masters level; express ideas and opinions, with confidence and clarity, to a variety of audiences for a variety of purposes using appropriate technology, including ICT; work productively in different kinds of groups (formal, informal); identify the main features of a given problem and to develop strategies for its resolution.
