Subject Knowledge Enhancement (12 weeks) - (SKE)

The Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course develops subject knowledge in graduates wishing to enter the teaching profession whose degree level knowledge, whilst strong in itself, needs to be further developed, enhanced and applied to the requirements and expectations of the secondary school curriculum including, where appropriate, examination specifications.

SKE is available in those subjects that the Department for Education (DfE) lists to encourage graduates to enter the teaching profession. The subjects available for SKE at Birmingham City University are aligned to the subjects offered on the PGCE course. In most cases, students accepted onto the SKE course will be eligible for a bursary from the DfE in accordance with prescribed criteria. The duration of the SKE will vary according to specialist subject and the student’s need, identified at interview. A condition of entry onto the SKE course is the acceptance of a place on an initial teacher training course, such as PGCE.

Our facilities

Our School of Education and Social Work is based at our City South campus in leafy Edgbaston.

We’ve spent £41million expanding the education facilities at City South. These facilities offer hands-on practical experience, replicating the spaces you will come across in professional practice. Alongside classrooms and lecture theatres, we also have a range of specialist teaching and learning spaces for specific subjects including science, design and technology, drama and physical education.

As well as subject-specific rooms, our facilities include the Primary Innovation Lab, which houses £24,000 worth of LEGO. This room is a special resource for our education students, offering an innovative and creative way to approach subjects across the curriculum – from computing to English, mathematics to art. The lab responds to research that children and young people learn best from practical experience.

Our Social Work students have access to a home environment room and mock hospital wards which offer an opportunity to gain experience of working with service users in different situations.

Computer facilities

The Seacole building has two open-access IT Suites which offer PCs, printers, photocopiers and scanners. There is also an IT Helpdesk for quick and easy help with your computing or internet issues.

Our PCs utilise the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:

• Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
• Ability to save files to USB, DVD & CD
• Microsoft Office software
• Research and statistical software
• Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home

Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs.

In addition to desktop PCs, we also offer a laptop loan facility, allowing students to borrow a laptop for up to six hours while on campus.