Program Overview
The Secondary Modern Foreign Languages at Birmingham City University is a Postgraduate Certificate programme in Humanities over 12 months, delivered On-campus. This programme equips graduates with advanced knowledge and practical skills for professional and academic careers in the field.
Students gain a rigorous grounding in both the theoretical foundations and applied dimensions of humanities. The programme combines coursework, research components, and practical projects that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and specialist expertise relevant to industry and research needs.
Graduates of the Secondary Modern Foreign Languages programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, government, and the private sector across United Kingdom and internationally. The programme provides an internationally recognised qualification within the Bologna higher education framework.
Key Program Features
- Duration: 12 months
- Language of instruction: English
- Study mode: On-campus
- Tuition: GBP 12,000 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 9,250 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
- Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Secondary Modern Foreign Languages programme are prepared for diverse careers in humanities:
- Researcher / Academic
- Cultural Programme Manager
- Editor / Writer
- Translator / Interpreter
- Museum Curator
- Communications Specialist
Program Curriculum
- We are a key source of new teachers to schools across the West Midlands region; a destinations survey of our 2021/22 Secondary Teaching graduates showed they were employed in nearly 100 West Midlands schools as Early Career Teachers.
- Our curriculum is designed by research-active subject experts to be integrated between university and school-based training with input from our partnership schools, ensuring you’re equipped to meet the needs of the teaching workforce now and in the future.
- We have partnerships right across the West Midlands and beyond so you can benefit from training in a range of schools and early years settings, preparing you for work in a wide variety of schools when you qualify. A destinations survey of our 2021/22 Secondary Teaching graduates showed that 76% of their employing schools were from within our BCU partnership.
- You will complete at least 120 days across a minimum of two placements, in line with Department for Education (DfE) requirements, supported by a subject mentor in your school and a personal development tutor at the University.
- Should you wish to take your development further, you'll gain Master's level credits gained as part of this course that you can then use towards a full Master's degree.
- You may be able to obtain financial support to help you during your studies. For more information visit the Department for Education's Get Into Teaching website.
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
UK students
EssentialYou will need to have a good degree (minimum 2:2 but 2:1 or 1st preferred) from a UK higher education institution or equivalent at least 50 per cent of which is in a\xc2\xa0modern foreign language\xc2\xa0or a modern foreign language-related subject.
You must have a GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in both English language and mathematics prior to enrolment\xc2\xa0and if you are offered an interview you will take a written test to assess your standard of English.
If you do not already have GCSEs in English language and mathematics, or their equivalent, and are not registered to take them, you should visit\xc2\xa0Equivalency Testing.
It should be noted that applicants taking the equivalency tests need to have passed prior to\xc2\xa0enrolment.
For entry onto a teaching course from September 2014 you will also be required to pass the Skills Tests in Literacy and Numeracy. Please visit the\xc2\xa0DfE website\xc2\xa0for further information.
Pre-Interview School Experience
For secondary teacher training there is an expectation that you will have had some general experience of working with secondary age students in a school setting.
In preparation for the selection interview stage of the recruitment process you are required to engage in a teaching episode, observed by an experienced qualified teacher.
It will support your application to undertake this teaching episode prior to\xc2\xa0enrolment\xc2\xa0and in advance of your interview.
Please read our\xc2\xa0guidance document\xc2\xa0before downloading the\xc2\xa0Pre-Interview School Experience Report\xc2\xa0which you will need the qualified teacher observing you to complete.
Selection Interview
The selection interview will assess your subject knowledge and personal qualities such as the potential to relate well to secondary age students, enthusiasm, sensitivity, communication skills and robustness and resilience for teaching.
You will also take a written test to assess your standard of English.
Applicants must meet The National College for Teaching and Leadership requirements for Initial Teacher Training, which means being medically fit and successfully completing an enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 12,000 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 9,250 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
Tuition fees: GBP 12,000 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; GBP 9,250 (Tuition (Year)) — EU/EEA students
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Contact Birmingham City University directly for scholarship, grant, and financial aid information for this programme. Many European universities offer merit-based and need-based funding for international and domestic students.
About Birmingham City University
Birmingham City University
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Birmingham City University is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields....
University Profile- Start Date September 2026
- Language English
- Duration 12 months