PGCE English with Drama (QTS)
Engage and inspire on this combined teaching course with a focus on both language and literature, expression and performance with strong placement links in London
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Viewing course details for 2025-26 year of entry
- Code
- Q583
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Start
- September 2025
- Fees
- £9,535 (UK) £12,800 (INT)
- Duration
- 1 year full-time
- Course Leader
- Alexandra Suthern
- Study mode
- On campus
- Location
- Hendon campus
- School / Department
- Education
Why study PGCE English with Drama at Middlesex?
On the PGCE English with Drama (QTS) course, we are passionate about language and literature in all its forms. We will equip you with the skills and experience necessary to both educate and inspire secondary English and drama pupils. In English, you will explore language, literature, expression and the role of communication. In drama, you will learn how to engage pupils through both the practical and theoretical nature of lessons.
- A dynamic subject - Language is at the heart of everything we do. It sustains thought, it provides clarity of instruction and it develops community. As an excellent communicator, this is your chance to strengthen young people’s English skills through writing, reading, and spoken language. Whether chairing a lively debate, navigating a class through a complex Shakespeare extract, or developing authentic writing for real audiences, you will become an inspiring influence for all pupils.
- Strong course structure - Our ambitious curriculum has fully embedded the Core Content Framework for Initial Teacher Training to develop strong English subject knowledge and pedagogy – with the additional experience of teaching drama at KS3. Through interactive workshops, tutorials and seminars this one-year full-time course enables you to meet the national Teachers’ Standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with English as the main subject and drama as a second subject area.
- Dedicated tutors - Learn from experienced tutors who are subject specialists in their field, as well as other experts in our partner schools
- A wide range of skills - Explore English and drama pathway sessions which are varied, engaging and offer both theoretical and practical approaches to teaching English and drama in the secondary classroom. You can also take advantage of the excellent Professional Studies offered at Middlesex University.
You'll also gain an understanding of English across all key stages and Drama in Key Stage 3 (KS3) including:
- Teaching literature
- Learning theory and cognitive science
- Promoting effective reading strategies
- Supporting and developing writing
- Spoken language
- Creative approaches to English teaching
- Theatre practitioners
- Physical theatre
- Stimulus and devising
This is an alternative pathway for training teachers who wish to teach both English and Drama. If you are interested in doing one subject in isolation, read more about PGCE Drama (QTS) or PGCE English (QTS).
"The highly aspirational and rich training programme, together with expertly led input from university staff, leads to trainees being fully ready for and confident about embarking on their career in teaching.
Secondary trainees are fulsome in their praise for their tutors at the centre and while on placements.
Secondary trainees develop an in-depth knowledge of their subject and how to teach it effectively. This is because subject tutors are experts in their field and the programmes build trainees’ learning sequentially."
Ofsted report 2024
3 great reasons to pick this course
About your course
You will critically evaluate the effectiveness of a wide range of resources and your own lesson plans. You will analyse research data and critically evaluate how research has contributed to the knowledge and understanding of how to teach English and drama effectively.
To find out more about this course, download the programme specification (PDF).
Register your interest
Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.
Teaching
The course is designed to provide 120 days in schools with a minimum of two school placement periods. Each placement provides a sustained teaching experience over the complete teaching week. The remaining 60 days of the course are university-based. The course will consist of a range of presentations, discussions and practical workshops where exemplar material can be selected from a specialised subject context.
Whether you are studying full or part-time, your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.
We aim to make timetables available at least two weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.
You will be based at our north London campus in Hendon and your school-based placement.
We have a strong support network online and on campus to help you develop your academic skills. We offer one-to-one and group sessions to develop your learning skills together with academic support from our library, IT teams and learning experts.
The university-based modules are assessed by coursework. The Professional Practice is assessed against the standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Each module is assessed on a pass/fail basis. All modules are compulsory and must be passed. You do not have an automatic right to reassessment for the Professional Practice module.
The Professional Practice module assess your ability to demonstrate you are able to apply the knowledge, understanding and skills of the ITE curriculum to your teaching practice, and fully meet the Teachers' Standards by the end of your training programme.
You'll evaluate your work, skills and knowledge and identify areas for improvement. Sometimes you'll work in groups and assess each other's progress.
Each term, you'll get regular feedback on your learning.
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North London campus
Our north London campus is just 20 minutes from central London, giving you easy access to everything this vibrant city has to offer. Make the most of incredible professional opportunities, cultural experiences, and more affordable living, all within a supportive and close-knit campus community.
Learn moreFacilities
The Sheppard Library
Our library is open from 7am to 11pm Monday to Sunday during the term and includes:
- Over 1,000 study areas with rooms for group study and over 600 computer spaces
- 350,000 books and e-books and more than 24,000 online journals
- Free laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing.
Student support
We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health and disability support.
Additional needs
We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Neurodiversity team.
Wellness
Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.
Work while you study
Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.
Financial support
You can apply for scholarships and bursaries. We have also reduced the costs of studying with free laptop loans, free learning resources and discounts to save money on everyday things. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.
Careers
How can the PGCE English with Drama (QTS) support your career?
Our university's postgraduate courses have been recognised for their ability to support your career.
Employment rates are extremely high. Typically over 95% of our PGCE graduates are in employment or further study six months after graduation according to Graduate Outcomes, 2022.
Career paths
After completing this course, you'll be able to apply for a position as an early career teacher (ECT) in a secondary school setting.
As a newly qualified teacher, your salary will be between £25,714 and £32,157, depending on where you teach.
Teachers can find career progression in both the classroom and the school's management structure. You might aspire to become the head of a department, age group or curriculum. By developing your leadership skills and experience, you could progress to a senior management position, such as deputy head or head teacher.
For more information on salary and career progression, visit the Department for Education's website.
MDXworks
MDXworks, our employability service, will help you make the most of your experience and connections to achieve your career goals. You'll have unlimited access to one-to-one advice and support from specialists in your sector plus 24/7 online support. You can also make the most of events and networking opportunities, on and off campus.
Global network
At Middlesex, you’ll study with students from 122 countries who’ll hopefully become part of your global network. After you graduate, we'll support you through our alumni network to help you progress in your chosen career.
Qualifications
We welcome your application regardless of your background or experience.
For this course, ideally, we are looking for these qualifications:
- A 2:2 honours degree or above and two or more years of relevant experience
- Graduate-level qualifications.
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements.
Your graduate-level qualification or degree subject should ideally be in English with a background in drama. For example, a Drama A Level or experience of using drama in work-based settings.
If this is not the case, you’ll need to prove your subject knowledge in some other way. You may be asked to complete Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) training prior to starting the course.
Further requirements
The following requirements are set out in the Initial Teacher Training Criteria document. You must have:
- GCSE grade C / grade 4 or above in English and Mathematics or be retaking them this year. We also accept the equivalency tests by Equivalency Testing, A Star Teachers or any other appropriately accredited provider. We cannot accept functional skills or key skills or IELTS
- Been subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced disclosure check and/or any other appropriate background check
To strengthen applications, it is recommended that you have obtained, or have set up to obtain, recent and relevant experience within state secondary school settings in England.
International students are eligible to apply for this course.
Here are the qualifications relevant for this course:
- A 2:2 honours degree or above and a strong A Level in English language or literature or equivalent.
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements.
Further requirements
The following requirements are set out in the Initial Teacher Training Criteria document. You must have:
- GCSE grade C / grade 4 or above in English and mathematics or standard equivalent
- We also accept the equivalency tests by Equivalency Testing, A Star Teachers or any other appropriately accredited provider. We cannot accept functional skills or key skills or IELTS
- Been subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced disclosure check and/or any other appropriate background check.
English language
You'll need good English language skills to study with us. We cannot accept IELTS on this course. Find out more about our English language requirements.
Visas
International students can apply for a student visa to train to teach in England if they are undertaking an unsalaried initial teacher training (ITT) course and:
- they have an unconditional offer from a licensed sponsoring institution
- they can financially support themselves in the UK and pay for their course
- they meet the English language requirements for the student visa.
Find out more about the student route visa.
Safer recruitment
We are committed to keeping children and young people safe from harm. Our recruitment processes adhere to the principles of safer recruitment – we implement robust and safe recruitment practices which support the identification and rejection of any applicants who are unsuitable to work with children and young people. We will respond to any concerns about the suitability of applicants during the recruitment process.
Apply as early as possible to make sure you get a place. You can submit your application before you receive your final qualification.
Lead Partner schools
We also have a small number of Lead Partner schools who recruit to PGCE programmes on behalf of Middlesex University. You can find schools offering these opportunities on DfE Find and Apply. If you are interested to apply via the Lead Partner route, you need to apply to the Lead Partner school via DfE and Apply. If you apply via the Lead Partner route, you would undertake your school-based training placement in the Lead Partner school or one of its linked schools. Otherwise the Lead Partner route provides access to the PGCE programme as described on this course page.
Safer Recruitment
We are committed to keeping children and young people safe from harm. Our recruitment processes adhere to the principles of safer recruitment – we implement robust and safe recruitment practices which support the identification and rejection of any applicants who are unsuitable to work with children and young people. We will respond to any concerns about the suitability of applicants during the recruitment process.
Personal statements
Make sure that you highlight your best qualities in your personal statement that are relevant to this course. Such as your ability to be forward-thinking, creative and collaborative.
Interviews
Entry onto this course requires an interview. We use the interview to find out more about you, to better understand your aspirations and interests, and to explore why you want to study with us.
At the interview stage, your suitability for teaching will be judged, including your subject knowledge for teaching and your potential to demonstrate proficiency with fundamental English and mathematics. If we identify any shortfall, you may be required to complete some additional work before starting the course.
During the course, your subject knowledge and fundamental English and mathematics will be developed and assessed to ensure you reach the required level.
We aim to arrange all interviews on our Hendon campus.
Exceptions
You can also apply through Department for Education’s Teacher Training website for:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
- Lead Partner Routes (School Direct salaried, Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship or fee-funded PGCE)
Find out more
Find out how to apply for postgraduate taught courses and watch our step-by-step video.
Admissions questions? Ask us a question now via the live chat icon on the screen.
Fees and funding
The fees below are for the 2025/26 academic year:
UK students1
Full-time students: £9,535
International students
Full-time students: £12,800
Additional costs
Travel fees for attending centre-based and school-based training.
Get answers from our Unibuddy student ambassadors
View our range of student ambassadorsWe’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.