Program Overview

Primary Education with QTS PGCE

Overview

Master creative and engaging approaches to teaching 5-11 year olds. Joining us, you’ll achieve recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status on our PGCE in primary education. We’ll help you hone your academic skills and nurture your professional development too.

Course Features

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

What You'll Study

Course Content

We’ve designed this course to have three key parts. First, there’s academic study at Masters level. You’ll focus on developing essential teaching skills and explore the principles of learning and curriculum design in primary education. You will then be supported to engage in critical dialogue around educational questions and supported to develop an evidence-informed approach to your practice.

The second element is about developing your curriculum knowledge for primary teaching. You’ll gain essential insight into helping children progress with, and enjoy, their learning. Practical teaching workshops will help build your confidence so you’re ready for professional practice. And you’ll become familiar with the National Curriculum for England and explore approaches for teaching each subject.

Finally, there’s professional practice placements. You’ll spend a significant amount of time in schools and other education settings, experiencing life in the classroom and practicing your delivery of the key stages 1 and 2 curriculums. You’ll keep working within your community of peers and tutors through online academic study.

Compulsory Modules

• Principles of learning and curriculum design (primary)
• ITE curriculum and practice (primary)
• Evidence-informed practice (primary)

How You'll Study

Your learning experience will include lectures, seminars, workshop sessions and tutorials delivered using a hybrid blend of on-campus and online teaching. Independent study will be supported by materials provided through the virtual learning environment using a range of online teaching tools and applications. Your university-based experiences will be underpinned by reference to current research.

You will also undertake Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) as a specific and focused element of our teacher training curriculum. This is designed to consolidate your knowledge of effective teaching, and enable you to rehearse and obtain feedback from experts on your practice.

How You'll Be Assessed

Assessment strategies will include presentations to different audiences, academic essays individually tailored around your own professional interests, and ongoing task submission.

During professional practice your school-based mentor will assess your development through reflective conversations, reviewing and discussing your planning and assessment records, observing your teaching, and gathering the perspectives of other adults and, of course, of the children who work with you.

Who Will Be Teaching You

The Faculty of Education has been at the forefront of teacher education for 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.

You will be taught in University and on professional practice in schools by a range of highly qualified and experienced teachers and tutors who are dedicated to excellence in primary education and who will model high quality practice to enable you to develop your own teaching style.

Entry Criteria

• 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 e.g. virtual learning environment, email, video conferencing software
• A commitment to, and understanding of, primary education, demonstrating the personal attributes, values and motivation required to train as a teacher

How to Apply

Apply online through GOV.UK

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

Tuition Fees

• UK Full-Time: £9,535 for the course
• International: £17,000 for the course

Financial Support

Applicants to Student Finance should apply for undergraduate funding and not a postgraduate loan. Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this course can apply for an additional Bursary from the government.

Your Future Career

This PGCE is accredited by the Department for Education. Successful completion of the programme will enable you to gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). You will be well placed to progress into employment as an early career teacher within a primary school.

Our graduates work for schools in the UK and overseas. With your primary education knowledge and classroom skills, you’ll meet and exceed the national standards for Qualified Teacher Status. And you’ll be able to teach across the whole primary (5-11) age range in new and creative ways. With specialist knowledge of an aspect of education, you may progress onto a subject leadership role in a school.