Skip to content

Science: Chemistry Subject Knowledge Enhancement

Summary

  • For good honours graduates with a science background who are interested in teaching but who need to develop their subject knowledge to teach chemistry
  • Develop a deep understanding of subject knowledge, concepts and skills
  • Get a head-start and prepare yourself for your PGCE course

Introduction

Good chemistry teachers are in short supply and the Chemistry Enhancement Course is an opportunity for more people to become chemistry teachers.
The University of Brighton is offering a 9 month enhancement course for those graduates who want to teach science with a chemistry specialism, but whose knowledge needs enhancing before they can begin their Initial Teacher Training (ITT).

This course will bring you to the standard required to teach up to KS4 (11-16 year olds), depending on your starting point and progress during the course. The intention is that all successful students would have the potential to teach A-level chemistry.

You don’t have to do your teacher training at the University of Brighton. You can apply for a PGCE or GTP place through any ITT institution. School based trainers can refer a SCITT candidate to a Chemistry Enhancement Course to top up subject knowledge prior to joining the school. Please note that there is no direct entry onto the Chemistry Enhancement Course. All students must be referred onto the course by their PGCE or GTP provider. Hence the need for a conditional offer from the ITT provider before you join the enhancement course.

Professional accreditation

Upon successful completion of the course, you will then move onto their chosen course of Initial Teacher Training (PGCE, School Based Training or Graduate Teacher Programme).

Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) bursary

SKE students starting their course in the course in the academic year 2012/13 may be offered a tax-free bursary; the amount of the bursary depends on the length of the course (number of units) and the subject (whether Group A or Group B).  The rates for eligible SKE courses offered at the University of Brighton in 2012-13 are as follows:

Subject Course length Amount
Chemistry 18-unit £7,200

Course structure

The programme comprises a mix of:

  • Chemistry subject modules
  • Modules about teaching chemistry

Assessment is by completing a portfolio of evidence during the course and by set module assignments.

The training programme is innovative and designed to be enjoyable and supportive of the subsequent teaching of chemistry. Course tutors are all excellent practitioners, experienced in the delivery of chemistry education.

The course will consist of taught sessions, practical and investigative sessions, seminars, presentations, field study, school visits, self-study modules. Each of the modules is taught by specialist lecturers who are experienced teachers and specialists in their subjects.

Additionally, there will be underpinning mathematics and ICT sessions.

Practical skills sessions will take place in order to enhance laboratory skills. The skills learned during these sessions will be applied in an investigational context in ‘Investigations’ projects. You will have the opportunity to experience the work of the chemist in schools and work alongside some innovative science departments.

Attendance pattern

Full-time for nine months.The programme runs from September to July.

Location

Falmer campus

Typical entry requirements

To apply you need to first have secured a place on an ITE course. This can be at any university, school-centered ITT (SCITT) or Graduate Teacher Placement. If you are applying for a PGCE, you can indicate on your application form that you are interested in doing a subject enhancement/ extension course.

Entry will be dependent upon qualifications and experience:
Above GCSE triple award standard to demonstrate evidence of having appropriate elements of your chosen specialism in further studies and/or occupational experience of the subject. Applicants with GCSE Science: Double Award will need to demonstrate evidence of having appropriate elements of chemistry in further studies and/or occupational experience of the subject.

In addition, all applicants are required to have:

  • GCSE English and mathematics to at least grade C or equivalent
  • Motivation: A real desire to teach chemistry at secondary school level.
  • Good honours degree in a science related subject.

Contact

For more information, or if you wish to apply, please contact the Programme Assistant Adam Morley: