Case Study

I always wanted to go to university. No one in my family had been before me and I have a real love of learning, so it was a natural choice for me. Before coming to Sunderland, I studied for my A Levels in Chemistry, Maths and Physics at a local sixth form.

I really liked the University of Sunderland and the sense of community when I studied and completed my undergraduate course in BSc (Hons) Biopharmaceutical Science. What attracted me to the PGCE Secondary Education in Science with Chemistry course was the reputation Sunderland has for teaching. It made studying for a PGCE at the University an easy choice for me.

The amount of time you get to spend in schools is invaluable – there's no better way to learn how to teach a class of pupils than being in that environment and doing it yourself. The University organised the placements for me and took all the stress out of searching for suitable schools. Another area of the course I particularly enjoyed was the Guest Speaker initiative that the University organises. All the speakers were passionate about teaching and their lectures inspired me to be the best teacher I could be.

I would absolutely recommend the University of Sunderland – it's fun, friendly and full of opportunities for PGCE students! I would tell prospective students thinking about completing a PGCE to make the most of it and all the opportunities that come from studying at the University. It's an amazing experience and it's over before you know it, so enjoy every day and give it your best!

Since completing the PGCE, I have secured a job teaching science in a secondary school. The Government bursary for studying Chemistry Education was a fantastic help, and allowed me to pass my driving test and get my very first car!"

Published 5 June 2018