Meet our PGCE students

Learn from the experiences of our students past and present. This includes those who completed either a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).

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Sebastian Li looking happy in the countryside at sunset

My PGDE training was harsh, but yet one of the most rewarding experiences I ever had.

Sebastian Li Languages PGDE

As an international student on the PGDE, Sebastian has found the experience challenging but hugely rewarding.

Daniella Dunn at Graduation

The PGCE prepared me comprehensively for life as a teacher and it also fostered my skills as a practitioner researcher

Daniella Dunn English PGDE

PGCE (formerly PGDE) English graduate Daniella is pleased that she chose the University of Sheffield to study her PGCE due to the quality of training that she received and the subsequent opportunities and experiences that the course created for her.

Conor Hurton PGDE student

Languages PGDE has given me an incredible and very desirable foundation for my teaching career

Conor Hurton Languages PGDE

Conor Hurton reflects on the care and support offered by his tutors on PGDE Languages which has provided the foundation for a career that he loves.

Billie Parnham PGDE alumnus

My experience has enabled me to be the best teacher that I can be

Billie Parnham Languages PGDE

Modern Foreign Language teacher Billie Parnham feels the course equipped her with the assets of an outstanding teacher, one that always reflects on her practice and strives to engage students and create outstanding resources.

Photograph of Emily Homer

My Initial Teacher Training year allowed me to enter the profession with confidence and ambition

Emily Homer Geography PGDE

Emily has built on the vital expertise and experiences she gained on the course to confidently begin a successful teaching career and is now on track for a role in leadership.

Yasmin Badat PGDE alumni

Completing the PGDE is the best thing I ever did

Yasmin Badat Geography PGDE

Newly qualified teacher Yasmin took the plunge from working as a teaching assistant to undertake her PGDE. She reflects on the challenge of training to teach during the Covid pandemic, but thanks to the high quality tuition and all the support, she is so proud of her achievements.

PGDE History alumnus

The PGDE at The University of Sheffield is More Than Just Teacher Training

Eric Redknap History PGDE

Eric works in specialist education with some of the most challenging and complex young people in South Yorkshire, helping them to become happy, confident, and functioning citizens. The support and guidance he received from tutors on the PGDE enabled him to fulfil this ambition.

Photograph of secondary school classroom

Geography PGDE has eclipsed all my expectations

Simon Davies Geography PGDE

PGDE Geography student, Simon, sees the high caliber of students that the course at Sheffield attracts as a major resource for his teaching development, where he benefits from the mutual support of a diverse year group who have the mindset of sharing best practice and embracing collaboration.

PGDE Alumnus Beth Taylor teaching science

Learning to teach at Sheffield was the best decision I have made

Beth Taylor Science with Chemistry PGDE

The training and skills that Beth developed on the PDGE have led to a successful teaching role at a top school in Dubai where she has lead the school to achieve the “Enthuse Award for Excellence in STEM”.

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PGDE alumnus receives prestigious award from Institute of Physics

Stephen Gascoigne Physics PGDE

Stephen successfully beat off stiff competition from physics teachers across the country to receive a prestigious award by the Institute of Physics for achieving outstanding attainment of pupils in A Level Physics.

Rhianne Quigley wins the 2017 Rex Walford award

PGDE alumnus wins Rex Walford Award

Rhianne Quigley Geography PGDE

In her first year of teaching after completing a PGDE, Rhianne won the Rex Walford Award for a scheme of work that explored the importance of place geography within KS3.

PGDE award winner Lorna holds her trophy - image

PGCE alumnus wins Teacher of the Year award

Lorna Geography PGCE

Lorna, a teacher at The Farnley Academy in Leeds, was presented with the Gold Plato Award for Teacher of The Year in a Secondary School 2015 at the Pearson Teaching Awards, dubbed the 'Oscars for Teachers'.

Are you interested in a degree with a foundation year?

Join our mature student taster event on 3 June 2025.

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Three students sat at a table looking at a shared laptop screen

International postgraduate taught scholarships

We offer a generous package of financial support for international postgraduate taught students, including scholarships worth £10,000 towards the original tuition fee.

Applications are open for existing offer holders for a postgraduate taught programme starting in September 2025.

International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship 2025