On the University-led and School Direct PGCE routes, you’ll have lectures and seminars at Manchester Metropolitan and usually spend at least 120 days on placements in schools across the North West. At university, you will mainly study with students in your specialism. You’ll learn how to plan and deliver lessons through interactive, hands-on workshops. Although you will mostly learn with your subject group, you’ll take critical studies lectures and reflect on professional development in sessions with mixed groups with students from other subject areas. These sessions help you to develop all aspects of your professional practice. Some of the topics you’ll explore include behaviour management, mental health and emotional wellbeing, teacher persona, and safeguarding. You’ll also develop your study skills during these lectures, engaging with the latest educational research and theories. Engaging with research ensures your classroom practice is current and meets the needs of your learners. Many of your tutors are involved in research and will be able to provide insight into how this informs your teacher persona and classroom practice. At the beginning of the course, you’ll be supported in developing your study skills and how to engage with postgraduate studies, alongside being introduced to education and the professional requirements of teachers. We’ll also give you a full overview of the year and the tasks you’ll be completing, to help you to stay organised throughout the course.You’ll also be supported with your employability throughout the course. Tutors and mentors will help you to develop your teaching CV and prepare you for your first post as an early career teacher. On your placements, you’ll put the skills you’ve learnt at university into practice and build your confidence in the classroom. You’ll develop your subject knowledge and understanding of subject specialist teaching. Whilst on placement, you’ll be supported by an experienced mentor. They will guide you through all aspects of your placement, from teaching your first lesson to assessing and reporting to parents. During your placements, you’ll meet a variety of different learners and you’ll be supported to develop your teaching to meet their individual needs. When you graduate, you’ll gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in your subject, and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and can work at any level in schools and colleges.You’ll also be awarded 60 masters’ credits (a masters degree is 180 credits), which you could put towards further study and career development.