PGCE (Primary with Modern Languages)

Program Overview

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PGCE (Primary with Modern Languages)

Why study PGCE (Primary with Modern Languages) at Goldsmiths

Our Primary PGCE with Modern Languages programme will support you in becoming a confident, reflective, and engaged primary school teacher. In addition, it will provide you with the opportunity to understand how languages – French, German and Spanish – can best be taught across the Primary age phases.

• You will be given a balanced and challenging introduction to teaching that is well matched to urban primary school and early years settings and is responsive to the needs of the wide range of schools we partner with. We currently have partnerships with more than 300 schools across London and beyond.
• During your time on the PGCE (QTS) programme, you will have the opportunity to work in contrasting schools and settings, which will provide breadth to your understanding of your role as a teacher.
• Drawing on a range of expert colleagues from school settings and the university, we provide a wealth of experience and opportunities carefully designed to support you in developing excellent subject, pedagogical, and curriculum knowledge to provide a firm foundation for your future career.
• Much of our university-based teaching takes place in seminar groups, providing opportunities for purposeful discussion and debate. When in school, you will learn from expert colleagues and mentors who will provide opportunities for you to consolidate your learning, as well as targeted and supportive feedback to help shape your teaching practice.
• You will also be supported to make meaningful connections between theory and practice. This programme is taught and assessed at MA level which means that in addition to the award of QTS, you will graduate with 60 MA-level credits if you pass all academic elements of the programme at an appropriate level (equivalent to one-third of a Master's degree).
• Full academic support is provided to ensure you are fully prepared for assessment, regardless of your prior experiences.
• We provide opportunities for you to reflect on your own mental health and wellbeing from the outset of the programme and throughout the year. This is supported by a strong pastoral care system within the department.

Teacher Training Code

2M3K

Length

1 year full-time

Fees

• Home - full-time: £9535
• International - full-time: £21200

Department

Educational Studies

Our vision and mission

We support the development of exceptional teachers for world-class schools. Our Teacher Education Partnership sets out to make a difference to young peoples' lives, and is committed to:

• Promoting reflection to help you develop a strong sense of identity that is built upon a close connection between research and experience
• Recognising inclusivity to be rights-respecting, and recognise and challenge the political, social, economic, and cultural dimensions of practice
• Celebrating creativity, taking informed risks, and using innovative strategies to support learning
• Developing confidence and engagement enabling you to participate fully in steering the course of the teaching profession locally, nationally, and globally

What you'll study

Curriculum Studies

This module, will provide you with an opportunity to enhance your own understanding of Primary/Early Years education and will enable you to focus upon an area that is of specific interest to you or the schools that you are working in.

Modern Languages Enhancement

The aim of the Modern Languages enhancement is to equip you with the subject knowledge and pedagogical skills to teach languages in a primary school. It provides an insight into the theoretical background and the process of learning languages, linked with practical sessions and experiential learning.

• Sessions focus on how to embed languages in the curriculum with cross-curricular links, the development of learner strategies, global citizenship, learning beyond the classroom, and intercultural understanding.

Studies and Professional Issues in Research in Education (SPIRE)

The SPIRE module focuses specifically on issues with the highest impact on young peoples' experience of education in the 21st century.

• You will be asked to consider a range of issues relating to diversity and inclusion, and engage with research and policy while linking all of this to your own experience in the classroom.

School Experience

You will spend a minimum of 120 days in a school, which are divided into two-block school experiences.

• During your placements, you will have the opportunity to practise and apply the knowledge and skills learned in university sessions in the age phase(s) you have chosen to focus on.

Age Phases

The Primary PGCE with languages programme at Goldsmiths offers you the opportunity to specialise in one of two age phases.

• Age 5-11 (with placement in Key Stages 1 and 2)
• Age 7-11 (with placements in Upper and Lower Key Stage 2)

Learning and teaching

A range of teaching methods is employed across all our PGCE programmes, including:

• Taught subject sessions
• Practical workshops
• Compulsory lectures
• Seminars
• Group and individual tutorials
• Individual and group presentations
• Supported self-study

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees

These are the PGCE fees for students starting their programme in the 2025/2026 academic year.

• Home - full-time: £9535
• International - full-time: £21200

Funding opportunities

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for prospective students.

• Find out more about funding your studies with us.

Get into Teaching funding

The Department for Education offers tax-free scholarships and bursaries to trainees on eligible PGCE programmes. Bursary amounts vary depending on your previous qualifications and the subject in which you're training to teach.

• For more information about PGCE funding visit the Get into Teaching website.

Paying your fees

Find out about paying your tuition fees.

• If you are a UK student you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying.

• You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

Entry requirements

You'll need:

• To meet our fitness to train requirements
• A GCSE Grade C/4 or above in English, Mathematics, and a Science subject (either Biology, Chemistry, Physics or combined Science)
• An undergraduate honours degree, at 2:2 or above from a university in the United Kingdom or an international equivalent
• As a languages specialist, you will be expected to have some competence in French, Spanish or German.