PGCE History with Humanities (QTS)
History and humanities teachers are in high demand. This course will give you the skills to become an expert at teaching your subject at secondary level
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Viewing course details for 2025 year of entry
- Code
- 38ZG
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Start
- September 2025
- Fees
- £9,250 (UK)
- Duration
- 1 year full-time
- Course Leader
- Tremaine Baker
- Study mode
- On campus
- Location
- Hendon campus
- School / Department
- Education
Why choose PGCE History with Humanities (QTS) at Middlesex?
Humanities teachers are in great demand and this course will appeal to graduates who are passionate about history and also want to develop the skills and understanding to teach outside their specialism.
The course combines study at Middlesex University with work-based training at partner schools.
History is more than a study of the past. It can give you a better understanding of your own and others' identity, provide valuable historical skills such as researching or critically evaluating evidence, and help you make sense of current issues, to understand how the present has been shaped by the past.
You will gain the knowledge and skills to work as a history with humanities teacher at a secondary school level. You'll develop the ability to transfer these skills and teach in subjects across the humanities spectrum (such as geography, citizenship or religious education).
Our ambitious History PGCE curriculum has fully embedded the Core Content Framework for Initial Teacher Training and emphasises the importance of developing strong subject knowledge and an understanding of associated theory and pedagogy for teaching.
What you will gain
Our course gives you Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a strong understanding of how and why to teach history in secondary schools while helping you appreciate the unique aspects of other subject specialisms. This will help you develop your confidence in teaching across a range of humanities subjects.
Middlesex University also has dedicated subject tutors who have established strong relations with external specialists and partnership schools across Greater London who will deliver contemporary and subject-specific training sessions.
The course integrates on-campus training at Middlesex University with school-based training at partner schools. You will be supported by mentors, university tutors and expert colleagues throughout your training to acquire the knowledge and skills required to meet QTS standards.
The wider course focus on the humanities will help you to develop a common pedagogical approach to teaching across all subject areas so you can teach humanities subjects at KS3 and history up to and beyond KS4 (at A Level).
"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
The History PGCE curriculum has been structured to support you on the teacher training journey from novice to expert. Prior to the start of the course, you'll be shown how to audit your history with humanities subject and pedagogical knowledge and you'll develop an action plan to address knowledge gaps.
The course begins by developing your understanding of the purpose and rationale for teaching history in schools and engages you with research and literature about the pedagogy of history teaching and how to teach your subject effectively.
The curriculum will give you a thorough grounding in teaching key historical skills and concepts, such as those relating to causation or interpretations, whilst also supporting you in identifying areas of commonality between humanities subject specialisms, such as those relating to the use of enquiry or outdoor learning, and the skills to teach sensitive and controversial topics.
You will have many opportunities — both individually and in groups — to apply general principles regarding humanities learning to your specialist subject, and for part of the course you will work in parallel with geography students. There will also be breakout sessions where you will be working in your specialist subject, and subject specialists will deliver sessions such as those covering teaching history at KS4.
About your course
Here is a brief overview of the modules you will study on your course.
Compulsory
The module enables students to develop and demonstrate their progress in the understanding and skills necessary to operate as an effective teacher within the Secondary age range. As such, it supports students in demonstrating they are making progress towards meeting current professional requirements under the Teachers’ Standards when teaching secondary aged pupils. This includes developing students’ knowledge and understanding of their secondary specialist subject curriculum alongside development of effective teaching, learning and assessment approaches.
Students will develop reflective perspectives on teacher identity and empowering pedagogies in practice. They will explore aspects of inclusive practices in the classroom, encouraging reflection on cultural responsivity.
This module introduces students to the role of research in developing best practice in teaching and learning drawing particularly on theories and ideas about how young people learn. Students will also develop knowledge, understanding and skills for effective teaching of their specialist secondary subject and the module content will contribute towards their development of deep subject and curriculum knowledge. It addresses the emphasis for trainee teachers to appreciate and understand the role of research-based practice for developing effective teaching and learning approaches. In addition, the module will introduce students to strategies to support their development as critically reflective specialist subject teachers in a secondary school setting.
The module is linked with using the best available research evidence to underpin an intensive focus on a particular teaching and learning approach.
This module develops further students’ subject and curriculum knowledge for teaching by exploring the principles of curriculum choice, sequencing and enriching learning. Students will draw upon literature from related disciplinary areas in addition to key education literature and develop specialist knowledge about curriculum planning and supporting progression for all learners. Simultaneously students will deepen their knowledge and understanding of their Humanities subject discipline.
The module supports students to achieve the current requirements for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). It enables students to deepen their understanding and develop the skills necessary to operate as critically reflective secondary teachers of their subject discipline in a school setting.
The module enables students to develop and demonstrate their progress in the understanding and skills necessary to operate as an effective teacher within the Secondary age range. As such, it supports students in demonstrating they are making progress towards meeting current professional requirements under the Teachers’ Standards when teaching secondary aged pupils. This includes developing students’ knowledge and understanding of their secondary specialist subject curriculum alongside development of effective teaching, learning and assessment approaches.
Students will develop reflective perspectives on teacher identity and empowering pedagogies in practice. They will explore aspects of inclusive practices in the classroom, encouraging reflection on cultural responsivity.
This module introduces students to the role of research in developing best practice in teaching and learning drawing particularly on theories and ideas about how young people learn. Students will also develop knowledge, understanding and skills for effective teaching of their specialist secondary subject and the module content will contribute towards their development of deep subject and curriculum knowledge. It addresses the emphasis for trainee teachers to appreciate and understand the role of research-based practice for developing effective teaching and learning approaches. In addition, the module will introduce students to strategies to support their development as critically reflective specialist subject teachers in a secondary school setting.
The module is linked with using the best available research evidence to underpin an intensive focus on a particular teaching and learning approach.
This module develops further students’ subject and curriculum knowledge for teaching by exploring the principles of curriculum choice, sequencing and enriching learning. Students will draw upon literature from related disciplinary areas in addition to key education literature and develop specialist knowledge about curriculum planning and supporting progression for all learners. Simultaneously students will deepen their knowledge and understanding of their Humanities subject discipline.
The module supports students to achieve the current requirements for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). It enables students to deepen their understanding and develop the skills necessary to operate as critically reflective secondary teachers of their subject discipline in a school setting.
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, where you'll be taught through online and face-to-face lectures, seminars and practical workshops. The course will also include 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 to students at least 2 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 on placements at nearby partner schools.
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.
Pastoral support
You will have access to an individual subject tutor who will support you and guide you across the course, including undertaking visits to your placement schools. In each school placement, training is overseen by a Professional Coordinating Mentor and you will also be given a subject mentor to support you.
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 23 minutes away by underground train, travelling from London Kings Cross.
Learn moreFacilities and support
Our Sheppard Library provides a wide range of resources and support to help you to succeed in your studies.
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Over 1,000 study spaces including rooms for group study and over 500 computers available.
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We have one of London's biggest and best university campuses with everything you need in one place.
Our facilitiesStudent 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 Dyslexia 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.
Careers
How can the PGCE History with Humanities (QTS) support your career?
Our course gives you Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Teaching is a profession with excellent progression and benefits and our graduates have an excellent reputation within the profession.
Our employment rates are extremely high, with around 94% of our History with Humanities PGCE graduates in employment or further study six months after graduation. The starting salary of a qualified teacher in inner London is £30,480.
For more information on salary and career progression, visit the Department for Education's website.
Career paths
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. And through developing your leadership skills and experience, you could progress to a senior management position, such as deputy head or head teacher.
Some of the roles our graduates have gone on to work in include becoming a head of department or lead practitioner, and previous students have worked for a range of mainstream and special educational needs schools.
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
Our London location helps us connect with over 1,000 industry partners to develop our students’ future employment prospects.
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.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
We welcome your application regardless of your background or experience.
For this course, ideally, we are looking for these qualifications:
- A 2:2 or above with at least 50% history content supported by a strong A Level (or equivalent) in relevant subjects
- GCSE grade C / grade 4 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.
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 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.
We welcome students from the UK, EU and all over the world. Join students from over 122 countries and discover why so many international students call our campus home:
- Quality teaching with top facilities plus flexible online learning
- Welcoming north London campus that's only 30 minutes from central London
- Work placements and networking with top London employers
- Career support to get you where you want to go after university.
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements.
Here are the qualifications relevant for this course:
- A second-class honours degree 2:2 or above with at least 50% history content supported by a strong A Level (or equivalent) in relevant subjects
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, science 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.
- 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.
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 student route visa.
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 theEnglish language requirements.
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.
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, we'll assess your suitability for teaching, 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.
Interviews will be either held on campus or arranged virtually.
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: £9,250
Loans and Bursaries
UK students can apply for a tuition fee loan which covers your fees and is only repayable after your graduate. In addition, UK students may be eligible for additional grants and loans including those from:
- The Department for Education - on the Department for Education website you will find a full list of designated ITT subjects and funding offers.
Additional costs
We cover your costs for the day-to-day things that you need to do well in your studies.
- Free – laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing
- Free specialist software for your course
- Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.
The following course-related costs are not included in the fees, and you will need to budget for these:
- Travel fees for attending centre-based and school-based training.
Financial support
We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.
Postgraduate scholarships
You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:
- The Alumni Postgraduate Award – for all UK/EU Middlesex alumni a 20% fee reduction
- The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
- The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
- The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
- Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees.
Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.
Fees disclaimers
1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.
Get answers from our Unibuddy student ambassadors
We’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.