Primary Education (QTS) PGCE
About this course
Primary education is a fundamental part of any child’s academic and personal development. Primary teachers play a crucial role in developing a child’s essential knowledge and skills. More than that, they spark our young people’s imaginations, encourage their curiosity and nurture a love for learning. They act as role models, inspiring the next generation, and making a positive impact on pupils' lives.
Whether you’re currently completing your degree, have just graduated, or are planning a career change, studying with us will enable you to launch your career as a dynamic and inspirational primary teacher. At NTU, we understand that the best way to learn how to teach is in the classroom, which is why you’ll spend much of your time on the course in schools. You’ll be taught by former primary school teachers here at the university and be mentored by teachers in schools, who will support you in building your expertise, critical thinking and creativity.
You’ll cover the curriculum in detail, bringing it to life for pupils, and developing who you are as a teacher. You’ll be equipped with the subject knowledge and professional skills to teach across the whole curriculum to meet the developing requirements demanded of primary school teachers. You’ll help to shape the minds, lives and futures of all our young people.
-
You’ll be recommended for accreditation for Qualified Teacher Status with the Department for Education, allowing you to take a post as an Early Career Teacher upon course completion. -
Placement opportunities in a variety of primary settings are embedded throughout the course. -
The Learn to Teach a Subject and Learn to Teach modules can be achieved at Masters level. Successful completion of these at Masters level will result in 60 credits towards a full Masters degree.
of PGCE Primary Education graduates were in high-skilled jobs 15 months after completing their studies (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2020/21)
What you’ll study
A distinctive feature of this postgraduate primary teaching qualification is that the modules offered integrate the study of learning and teaching across the whole primary curriculum. You’ll learn to teach children from three to 11 years of age, with the opportunity to express a preference to focus on either the 3-7 or the 7-11 age ranges on placement. Sessions led by subject experts develop your understanding of the requirements of both the early years and primary frameworks. As part of the course, you’ll benefit from university and school-based training. The course is built around modules which are closely mapped to the school-based training during the year.
Learn to be a Teacher (60 credits)
By studying this module, you’ll become a critically reflective teacher who can assess, adapt and improve your professional practice and appraise individual learning needs. You’ll develop a research-informed approach by questioning and critiquing teaching and learning strategies in order to maximise pupil progress. You’ll take an increasingly autonomous approach to your continuing professional development and a consistent commitment to the professional expectations of a teacher. You’ll learn how to plan high-quality lessons and set appropriate targets for pupils, monitor and assess their attainment and progress, and deliver effective lessons whilst implementing positive behaviour management strategies.
Learn to Teach (20 credits)
This module will develop you as a teacher who has a secure knowledge and understanding of a wide range of inclusive professional practices. It will enable you to critically evaluate, select and design teaching approaches that are optimised to support children’s educational development, progression and attainment. You will be introduced to a range of pedagogical theories and international comparisons, which will allow you to take a constructively critical and reflective attitude toward effective and creative innovation. You’ll develop a research-informed stance in relation to key issues in education with an understanding of how children learn. You'll also interrogate and express your professional values through high-quality work in all areas of the curriculum.
Learn to Teach Core Subjects (20 credits) and Learn to Teach Foundation Subjects (20 credits)
These modules will develop your ability to plan, teach and assess the broad and rich range of subjects at primary level, as well as encourage you to take a research-oriented approach to the development of your professional practice. You’ll gain the comprehensive subject and curriculum knowledge required of an expert teacher and develop innovative approaches to teaching the primary curriculum. You’ll develop your professional identity as a critically reflective teacher of the primary curriculum - implementing the research skills necessary to make a significant contribution to the shaping of teaching, learning and assessment.
Professional Practice (QTS)
Upon successful completion of the above modules, trainees will be awarded the Professional Practice (QTS) module.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
Q&A - PGCE Primary Education
How you're taught
University-Based Training
The University-based part of the course comprises a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. It explores learning and teaching in all the primary curriculum subjects and is designed to complement placement in schools across the primary age range. You’ll be taught by former primary and early years teachers who have a wealth of experience and a passion for teaching. Our lecturers are highly respected researchers within their fields of education.
Placements
Approximately two-thirds of your time on the course will be spent in primary schools. School-based activity is as follows:
- four-week period of intensive training and practice during the autumn term, focused on foundational aspects of teaching
- seven-week block placement in the autumn term
- six-week block placement during the spring term in a second school
- 11-week block placement in the summer term back in the first school
- three weeks of additional enhancement placements, which will broaden your experience of different contexts and support your ability to meet a range of children’s needs.
We are in partnership with a large number of schools across the East Midlands and beyond. Over the course of the year, you should therefore experience schools in a range of locations, whether city centre, suburban or semi-rural, and serving the needs of different and diverse communities. This variety provides opportunities for a wide range of teaching experiences and lays a good foundation for your future professional development.
Qualifications
The award of PGCE is offered at two levels:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (where 60 Masters-level credits can be gained).
- Professional Graduate Certificate in Education.
Both of these are recognised teaching qualifications, but the postgraduate degree will allow fast-track entry to Masters courses. Assessment of your learning and development will determine which qualification you achieve. Successful completion of the course, attaining either qualification, will lead to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Assessment
You’ll engage in assessments that draw together academic and professional practice.
Assessment methods include:
- written assignment
- a portfolio of evidence of classroom practice
- a poster defence
- a presentation and series of reflections.
School-based training is assessed continually, with an overall assessment completed during the final period of placement.
Following successful completion of the course year, you’ll achieve a qualification and be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status.
Contact hours
During your studies your time at university will vary. You will generally attend university one day a week, with the rest of your time spent at your placement school, however the exact split may vary from time to time and for a small number of weeks, you will attend university every day. Your exact timetable will be confirmed to you upon enrolment.
Careers and employability
The vocational nature of the PGCE Primary Education qualification and the fact that successful completion of the course leads to a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) means that graduates are ideally placed to pursue a career as a primary teacher.
If you’d like to know more about NTU’s groundbreaking Employability Promise, and the support you’ll receive both during and after your course, visit our Careers and Employability page.
Campus and facilities
As a Primary Education student you’ll mainly be studying in the Ada Byron King building, home to Nottingham Institute of Education. You will benefit from our specially designed teaching rooms simulating primary classrooms for design and technology, music, art and science. These purpose-built classrooms will help prepare you for a future in teaching, giving you the chance to gain hands-on experience in a realistic environment.
Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep our students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your coursemates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!
You’re also right next to the bright lights of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. All through termtime, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you to the heart of the action (and back) in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
Take our virtual tour to get a real feel for the campus.
Entry requirements
UK students
- A third class UK honours degree or equivalent
- GCSE English, Mathematics and Science at minimum grade C /4 or equivalent. We accept the GCSE equivalency taken via equivalencytesting.com or astarequivalency.co.uk. Applicants with pending qualifications will be considered.
Additional requirements for UK students
- An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and any other safeguarding checks that may be necessary.
- Two references.
- Strong applicants are invited to an assessment centre, which incorporates a number of tasks and an interview.
- It may strengthen your application to have had some experience in a classroom in a UK mainstream school, setting or college, although this is not an entry requirement. If you do wish to gain some experience prior to your application, you can explore a number of options. Existing students at Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham can access our Students in Classroom service. You can use your contacts through family or friends, or contact schools directly to ask for work experience or you can access the DfE’s School Experience service.
Other qualifications and experience
- If necessary, you can take a relevant GCSE as a private candidate.
International students
Academic entry requirements: A third class UK honours degree or equivalent. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international qualifications on our international entry requirements page.
Other requirements: GCSE English, Mathematics and Science at minimum grade C /4 or equivalent. We accept the GCSE equivalency taken via equivalencytesting.com or astarequivalency.co.uk. Applicants with pending qualifications will be considered
English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
- Two references
- An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and any other safeguarding checks that may be necessary
- Strong applicants are invited to an assessment centre, which incorporates a number of tasks (including an English assessment) and an interview.
It may strengthen your application to have had some experience in a classroom in a UK mainstream school, setting or college, although this is not an entry requirement. If you do wish to gain some experience prior to your application, you can explore a number of options. Existing students at Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham can access our Students in Classroom service. You can use your contacts through family or friends, or contact schools directly to ask for work experience or you can access the DfE’s School Experience service.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
