Course Leader: Chauvan Brookes
What does the Sussex ITE partnership offer?
You can apply directly to the University to study for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) specialising in Business. Alternatively, many schools work in partnership with the University to offer School Direct places which also lead to a Business PGCE award. Either route will prepare you, as a trainee teacher, to teach Business at Key Stages 4 and 5 (14-19 years).
This course can also be undertaken part-time over two years by suitable candidates.
Successful trainees will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Why is Business teacher education distinctive at Sussex?
Business education can be one of the most important subjects students can undertake. Whether you decide to continue with further education, become an employee or start your own business, Business education brings together theory and practical applications to help build success. Business education gives you the opportunity to understand how local, national and international businesses functions, the role it plays in our society, the opportunities it generates, the skills it requires, and the impact it can have on our lives and local and international economies. We are surrounded by real world applications which enrich learning for Business students.
Our Business teacher education provides carefully structured, professional learning opportunities which will enable you to critically and effectively progress in planning, teaching and assessing successful Business education. Together, university teacher educators and excellent classroom practitioners share their enthusiasm and professional knowledge to give you opportunities to focus on how to best engage, enthuse and enlighten your pupils in their understandings.
Building on successful and engaging practice in Business departments, you will be encouraged to take an active role in your own professional learning by developing secure knowledge of the Business curriculum in Key Stages 4 and 5.
Teaching, learning and assessment
You will learn to be a Business teacher through a combination of taught sessions at the University, and school-led professional development and classroom practice. You will start your course with a 2-3 week induction at the University in September, followed by a programme of lectures, seminars and workshops every Friday. These involve presentations, group work, role play, classroom modelling and peer teaching, for which you will explore ideas and approaches and reflect on your own experiences.
Over the course of the academic year, you will undertake two periods of professional practice in two different schools (these may vary slightly in length, but will equate to a minimum of 120 working days in total). You will be supported in your professional placements by a Business specialist who will act as a Mentor, offering you tutorial support and developing a programme of practice-based professional studies for you. Your progress will be assessed through observations, feedback and discussion. To this end, you will create and maintain a portfolio of evidence demonstrating how you have met the various Teachers' Standards.
You will engage with the theoretical foundations of classroom practice, and demonstrate the depth of your professional knowledge by completing three academic assignments during the course.
Additional entry requirements
To be accepted on this course, you must meet the partnership's established entry requirements for Initial Teacher Education. See 'Our Entry Requirements' at the bottom of our Applying web page. Additionally you should be able to demonstrate:
- a strong knowledge and understanding of the study of Business, and a sound awareness of how the subject is currently taught within state secondary schools
- a good honours degree (2:2 or above) in Business, or a related subject. In certain circumstances, business industry experience together with a degree may suffice.
Undertaking a short classroom type teaching task and showing an awareness of the curriculum and school life is part of our interview process, so candidates may wish to prepare themselves by spending some time in an appropriate school setting for the subject/phase they intend to teach beforehand.
NOTE:
All candidates offered a place on a teacher training course will be required to satisfactorily complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (formerly known as a CRB check), including a check of all cautions and warnings as well as convictions, before their place can be confirmed. The University will pay the costs of this check on your behalf.
How to apply
Applications for all Initial Teacher Education courses are made online via the Government's Department for Education website. See also our 'Applying' web page for a step-by-step process for how to apply to train to teach at Sussex.
Funding
See our Scholarships, fees and living costs web page for information on fees and eligibility for financial support. Specific information on bursaries, financial incentives and other sources of funding for Initial Teacher Education are available on our see our PGCE & School Direct Trainee Fees & Bursaries: 2023 and from the Department for Education.
Enquiries
See full details of the Secondary Business Studies PGCE course at Sussex on the Prospectus.
General enquiries about any ITE course, including application queries, should be directed to the ITE admissions team:
E: iteadmissions@sussex.ac.uk
Specific course enquiries can be directed to the Course Leader:
E: chauvan.brookes@sussex.ac.uk