Program Overview

Primary Education PGCE

The Primary Education PGCE course is designed to give students a secure understanding of primary teaching and learning, developing the skills needed to teach core and foundation subjects using various teaching approaches.

About the Course

This course is a practice-led approach to gaining Qualified Teacher Status, with 80% of the time spent on placement. The University-based sessions focus on developing the professional role, subject knowledge, and principles of learning.

Course Structure

• Reflective Primary Teacher: Develop skills in self-reflection and innovative thinking.
• Evidence-Informed Primary Teacher: Explore what is known about learning in primary education and apply it to practice.
• School Experience 1 and 2: Make the transition from observing and supporting to planning and delivering lessons, further developing lesson-delivery skills.

Assessment

The assessment strategy is based on critical evaluation of theoretical perspectives as they apply to teaching practice. It includes:

• Profile Review Points (PRPs): The process by which the mentor reviews progress in teaching practice, using the Teachers' Standards framework.
• Reflective Writing: Develop understanding of the interplay between theoretical perspectives and practice-based experience.

Careers

On graduating, students can apply for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), enabling them to work in a primary education setting. There are also opportunities to progress to further study at MA/MSc, MPhil, PhD, and EdD levels.

Entry Requirements

• 2.2 honors degree or equivalent in a related subject area
• GCSE grade 4 English (or a C)
• GCSE grade 4 Maths
• GCSE grade 4 Science
• Safeguarding checks, including an Enhanced DBS, and Occupational Health check are required

Fees

The PGCE tuition fee for the Academic Year 2026/27 is Ł9,535. Students can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for PGCE tuition fees. A limited number of bursaries are available for Primary PGCE courses.

Bursaries and Scholarships

Bursaries and scholarships are available to trainees on tuition fee-based teacher training courses in England that lead to the award of qualified teacher status (QTS). Subject-specific bursaries and scholarships include:

• Computing: Ł29,000 bursary, Ł31,000 scholarship
• Mathematics: Ł29,000 bursary
• Physics: Ł29,000 bursary, Ł31,000 scholarship
• Chemistry: Ł29,000 bursary, Ł31,000 scholarship
• Design and Technology: Ł20,000 bursary
• Biology: Ł5,000 bursary
• Geography: Ł5,000 bursary

University Facilities

The University of Bedfordshire offers a range of facilities, including:

• Teacher Education Centre with realistic mock classrooms
• Specialist Forest School
• Large outdoor spaces for developing the extended classroom
• Specialist sensory suite for teaching SEND and early years classes
• Recently refurbished science labs
• Multimedia space for webinars and podcasting
• Wide range of sports facilities, including a sports arena, multi-use games areas, and sports pitches

Student Experience

The University of Bedfordshire is one of the largest providers of teacher education in the region, with a long, successful history of teacher education. Students gain real-world experience on a practice-led teaching course, completing training in the classroom at placements in partner schools around the region. University-based staff teaching QTS courses were previously employed as teachers, senior leaders, and/or head teachers, providing evidence-informed and up-to-date practices in education.