Program Overview

Primary Early Years Education with QTS PGCE

Overview

The Primary Early Years Education with QTS PGCE is a postgraduate program designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become an effective teacher in early years and primary settings. The program is accredited by the Department for Education and leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Course Features

• Ofsted outstanding provider for Initial Teacher Education
• Professional accreditation
• Professional practice placements
• International students can apply

What You'll Study

The program consists of three key parts:

1. Personal and Professional Attitudes, Values and Beliefs: Students will learn to take charge of, and reflect on, their own progress as a trainee teacher, and consider what their professional attitudes, values, and beliefs are when it comes to their learning journey and the education profession.
2. Subject and Curriculum Knowledge: This covers the national curriculum at key stage one for every subject, showing students how to plan, teach, and assess primary age pupils. Students will also learn about the early years foundation stage and learning and development areas within this.
3. Craft of Teaching and Pedagogy: Students will complete a small research project and discover the important theories behind early years education, including the ways children learn and how their needs differ.

Compulsory Modules

• Evidence-informed practice (early years): Students will evaluate educational research from a methodological and ethical perspective and apply it to their own practice.
• ITE Curriculum and Practice (Early Years): Students will experience an integrated curriculum that sets out regular milestone expectations for what they should know and be able to do at key milestones and throughout the program.
• Principles of learning and curriculum design (early years): Students will design and then teach a curriculum unit over a sequence of lessons, becoming familiar with seminal and current theories of learning, curriculum design, and adaptive teaching.

How You'll Study

A combination of academic study, group discussion and reflection, practical and work-based learning in the classroom will give students the knowledge and skills they need to become an excellent teacher. Students will be supported by online and distance learning materials and encouraged to develop key skills, including the use of ICT, to support their own learning.

How You'll Be Assessed

A balanced combination of coursework and observed classroom experience will be assessed against the professional standards for QTS. Before the end of the PGCE, students will need to complete a professional portfolio which acts as a useful bridge between their initial teacher training program and their two-year induction as an early career teacher.

Who Will Be Teaching You

The Faculty of Education has been at the forefront of teacher education for over 135 years and today enjoys the enviable position of being one of the country's leading providers of education, training, and research for the children's workforce. The teaching team delivering this program has a wide range of experience and expertise as early years practitioners, local authority advisers, teachers in school, and university tutors.

Entry Criteria

When applying, students are expected to have:

• A first or second-class Honours degree from a UK university (or equivalent qualification)
• GCSE English Language or English Literature, GCSE Mathematics, and GCSE Science at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent)
• Sufficient levels of information and communications technology competence to access course materials
• A commitment to, and understanding of, primary early years education, demonstrating the personal attributes, values, and motivation required to train as a teacher

How to Apply

• Apply online through GOV.UK
• Read the guide to applying for PGCEs and Postgraduate Teacher Training to find out more about the application process

Facilities

The Faculty of Education enjoys the enviable position of being one of the country's leading providers of transformative education, training, and research for the teaching and education workforce. Housed in a state-of-the-art £9m building, the Faculty of Education enjoys a stunning setting from both its lakeside and piazza buildings.

Finance

• 2025/26 Tuition Fees:
  • UK Full-Time: £9,535
  • International: £17,000
• The University may administer a small inflationary rise in tuition fees, in line with Government policy, in subsequent academic years as students progress through the course.

Your Future Career

This PGCE is accredited by the Department for Education. Successful completion of the program will enable students to gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Students will be well-placed to progress into employment as an Early Career Teacher in early years and primary settings. Graduates work in schools across the UK and abroad, and have the essential skills for teaching in primary schools and early years settings, with excellent knowledge of primary education and great classroom skills.