PGCE Primary Education with QTS: Lower Primary (3-7) Years

Program Overview

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PGCE - Primary Education with QTS: Lower Primary (3-7) Years

Course Overview

Grounded in the learning of our acclaimed PGCE General Primary, this Early Years pathway allows you to hone skills to teach in the Key Stage 1 setting, either in schools or nurseries. This unique course pathway gives you the opportunity to nurture children at the very start of their education journey.

You’ll learn through a blend of theory and hands-on experience, working within the National Curriculum framework. You'll explore the concepts and key themes of Primary General, confidently devising and delivering engaging lessons to children aged 3-7 years old.

Over half the course will be spent working with children on assessed placement, with school-based enrichment activities alongside your university-based study. You'll take three placements across a variety of schools and settings, building a wealth of experience to help advance your future career.

On this course you will...

• Support children at the beginning of their education journey.
• Benefit from high-quality support from our academics and staff on a programme designed around you.
• Learn from an experienced, highly qualified programme team, working at the forefront of the academic field.
• Enjoy the intimate feel of our course delivery, with small class sizes and your own personal tutor.
• Utilise cutting edge research on a newly revalidated and up-to-date course.

Key Details

• Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK, EU / EEA / International
• Course Location: Lancaster, London
• DFE Code: X121 (Lancaster), P820 (London)
• Delivery Style: In-person
• Course Duration: Full-time: 1 Year
• Course Start Point: September
• Award: PGCE

Minimum entry requirements

• First degree, or equivalent with a minimum of 2:2 Honours degree
• Three GCSEs at minimum grade C/4 or above to include English Language or Literature, Mathematics and Science (including biology, chemistry or physics)
• A satisfactory academic (university) reference AND a satisfactory professional reference if more than three years since academic study
• All candidates must demonstrate professional suitability through interview and must obtain medical and enhanced DBS clearance according to established university procedures

Tuition fees

• £9,535 - UK | Per year
• £14,900 - International | Per year

Course Structure

What you will learn

This programme is focused on the two key elements that make effective practitioners. Firstly, raising the achievement of children and secondly, high-quality teaching and learning. It is these two elements together that will empower you to aspire to become outstanding teachers.

Modules

The course is structured in such a way that it scaffolds you through your learning journey in a progressive way from induction to course completion. This is done through a combination of relevant, detailed and comprehensive contributory modules which are complemented by qualificatory modules that support the development of effective classroom practice.

You gain the academic PGCE qualification via successful completion of two masters level modules:

• High-Quality Teaching and Learning
• Raising the Achievement of Children

These are focussed on the theory, research and practice which must be in place in order to be the highest quality, effective practitioner.

Year one

• PGCE7003 Building Professional Understanding
• PGCE7004 Enhancing Professional Practice
• PGPC9130 Being a Teacher
• PGPC9140 Learning Teaching and Subject Knowledge
• PGPC1960 Subject Knowledge and Pedagogy
• PGPC9070 Cumbria Teacher of Reading
• PGPC9160 Beginning Professional Practice (Placement Module)
• PGPC9170 Developing Professional Practice (Placement Module)
• PGPC9180 Extending Professional Practice (Placement Module)

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

Your programme will help you to build your theoretical understanding of the complexity of teaching and learning, whilst at the same time helping you to develop your practical professional skills in classroom settings.

How you will be assessed

The PGCE is assessed through a combination of placement assessment alongside formative and summative assessments.

You will complete two summative assignments over the duration of the course. Your summative assessments will be based on topics of your choosing that will be set within a provided context.

Progression

The programme also recognises that gaining a PGCE and achieving QTS is not the end of your professional learning journey. It is with this in mind that the contributory modules have been planned to allow you to undertake a seamless transition to a University of Cumbria MA in education.

What we're looking for

We want someone who:

• Displays a passion for children's learning
• Aspiring teachers who can bring their own experience to the classroom setting
• Enthusiastic and engaging communicators
• Applicants with the ability to discriminate key ideas and express arguments
• Graduates with a 2:2 or above degree classification

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

• £9,535 - UK | Per year
• £14,900 - International | Per year

PGCE Alumni Scholarship

Scholarship fund worth up to £2,000

We're offering a PGCE Alumni Scholarship worth up to £2,000 to alumni of University of Cumbria.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses.

Funding

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us.

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example, all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books and Journals

Most core text books are available via the University's library, however students may wish to buy copies of any texts used to support your learning on your course. This could cost between £50 - £100 per year.

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

Clothing and Equipment

Students may wish to have their own computer or laptop for undertaking their assignments. This is not however a requirement for access to the programme as the University does make such facilities available across all of its main sites and learning gateway buildings. Should students wish to purchase a computer then an entry-level laptop would suffice, £300 - 400. Placement will require sensible, professional clothing and footwear as appropriate to the setting.

Field Trips

Students will need to fund their own transport to their placement. There is the possibility that a university arranged placement will require travelling time, and any expenses incurred are to be met by the student. Therefore, the student should budget for these travel costs.