PGCE Business Education prepares teaching students aged 14-19, helping them develop professional skills and attitudes for teaching business in schools and colleges, as part of courses ( level A and GCSE) and BTEC. Where prospective teachers also wish to focus on teaching economics, support will also be provided both at the university and in placement schools.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2026
Modes and duration
Full time: 1 year
Application dates
All applicantsOpen: 13 October 2026Close: 6 August 2026NotificationThis programme is now full and we are currently not accepting applications for September 2026 entry. Applications for September 2026 will open in October.
Tuition fees (2026/22)
UK:£9,250 (FT)Overseas:£21,600 (FT)
Note on fees: The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.
Level: Secondary
Age range: 14–19
Accreditation
Students who successfully complete this programme will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).Location: London, Bloomsbury
Entry requirements
First degree
A minimum of a lower second-class UK Bachelor’s degree or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a Business-related subject.
Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) tests
For PGCE Business Education there is no SKE as such. However, support is given over the duration of the course in order to develop subject knowledge, where needed.
A levels
No specific subjects required.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5. We do not accept “applied” or “additional” GCSE subjects. Applicants who do not offer a GCSE in English Language or Mathematics may demonstrate an equivalent standard by completing a test via Equivalency Testing or A Star Equivalency and achieving at least a grade 5. For Mathematics, equivalency tests in Mathematics Foundation or Mathematics Higher with grade 5 are accepted. BTEC, Functional Skills or Access course qualifications are not accepted in place of GCSEs.
School experience
We recommend that you aim to gain some experience in a classroom prior to the interview.
DBS and Occupational Health
If you are made an offer you will be required to successfully complete Occupational Health and Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure checks. The Occupational Health Check is £77, and depending on your DBS requirements, there may be an additional fee of £12.75 if you can submit your DBS Enhanced Disclosure check via a UK Post Office. These checks are required to ensure you meet the Department for Education’s requirements for physical and mental health to teach, as well as assessing your suitability for access to children and vulnerable adults. More details can be found on the Entry requirements page.
Skills tests
Trainees will be assured against a set of fundamental Mathematics and English skills by the end of their teacher training.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Good