PGCE Primary with QTS - Course Information
Key features of the course
- The Primary PGCE is an initial teacher training and education course, designed to empower you to become a confident and competent qualified teacher.
- With 60 credits at Master’s level, the Primary PGCE can open doors to further study and other employment opportunities.
- Full time and part time routes available.
- 120 days teaching in schools plus additional days which focus on very specific teaching skills.
- Later Years (Ages 5-11) route.
- We have a strong partnership with the university and with our schools. We organise placements for you in supportive environments with access to expert colleagues and mentors to support you in completing your initial teacher training and gaining qualified status through experiential learning.
What will you study and when?
School experience is a substantial and integral part of the course and you will have school experience visit days and block placements in terms 1, 2 and 3.
The full-time course is 36 weeks in total. 24 weeks will be spent in partnership schools. In addition, up to 8 days will be spent in schools focusing on specific teaching skills.
Indicative themes explored through the course content are outlined below, although regular updates mean that exact content may differ.
Please find the links to our Primary PGCE Curriculum Vision and PGCE Course Overview
The Developing Teacher (30 credits at Masters level) | Indicative overview of content This module looks at your development as a teacher. It will focus on creating your teacher identity through critically reflective models, experiences and analysis of relevant theories and research. There are three distinct strands.
These are:
This is the first assessed module and will help develop your philosophy of teaching. |
The Learning Child (30 credits at Masters Level) | Indicative overview of content This module looks at understanding how to support children to learn. It will focus on understanding how children develop and learn, subject specific pedagogies, adapting teaching to meet different needs of learners and the role of assessment. You will cover all of the core and foundation subjects from the National Curriculum in this module. There are three distinct strands.
These are:
This is the second assessed module and will help you research effective methods of teaching and learning to support all children. |
Life in School: School Experience (Qualified Teacher Status) | Indicative overview of content This module is your School Experience (SE) module and will involve school placements. In order to pass this module, you need to demonstrate that you have met all of the Teachers’ Standards including Part 2 by the end of your initial teacher training. It will also provide you with experiences to aid your reflections and mentoring to support your progress. There are a series of professional development days within the module, designed to support your progress with meeting the Standards. This is the final module which will be assessed at the end of your placements. |
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
- Honours degree normally (2:2) or higher from a United Kingdom higher education institution or equivalent qualification. Applicants with a 3rd class degree will be considered on an individual basis.
All entrants have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade 4 (formerly grade C) in the GCSE examinations in English Language or English Literature, Mathematics and Science (applicants must have these qualifications by the start of the course). Alternatively, we offer an equivalency test if you don’t have the required GCSE grade to apply for our courses. Trainees who begin courses before providing evidence of the required GCSE standard (or equivalent) will not be eligible for financial incentives, such as bursaries or grants until they achieve the required standard.
Qualifications not listed? Contact the Admissions Office for advice by email: AdmissionsB@worc.ac.uk
Additional requirements
An Enhanced DBS check. You will be sent details of how to apply for your DBS in the summer term. You will need to pay for this. You may already be part of the DBS update service. Find out about the update service here. As part of the DBS process, you will be checked against the Children’s Barred List.
A check against the Prohibition List.
If you have lived, studied or worked overseas for three months or more in the last five years a Certificate of Good Conduct from the country of residence will be required. Further information and guidance associated with additional costs are available from the Home Office.
An online occupational health check. All those on a teacher training programme must be certified as meeting national requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach, as set by the Department for Education.
International students: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
Costs
UK Students
You are required to pay the standard tuition fee for full-time UK students enrolling on a PGCE in the academic year 2024/25 will be £9,250 per year.
International Students
We can only accept International Students who have the right to study in the UK. You can apply if you:
- are an Irish citizen
- have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (you may still be able to apply)
- have indefinite leave to remain in the UK
The fee for International students enrolling on a PGCE in the academic year 2024/25 will be £17,400 per year.
Sponsorship for a student visa is not available for this course.
There will be day-to-day costs for resources and travel costs for placements, depending on the location of the school.
This is a non-salaried route to teaching; however, you might be eligible for funding through student loans, bursaries, or scholarships. For more information please see: Teacher training funding | Get Into Teaching GOV.UK (education.gov.uk).
How to Apply
Our 1-year programme starts in September 2024.
You can apply from October 2023 until the end of June 2024.
To apply for our Postgraduate Certificate in education (PGCE) with qualified teacher status (QTS) visit The Department for Education’s website: Apply for teacher training - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
School Based Primary (5-11)
Course code: C930
Primary (C930) with Diocese of Worcester Multi Academy Trust
Additional useful information is available on the Get Into Teaching GOV.UK (education.gov.uk)