Primary Education PGCE
- Level(s) of Study: Postgraduate taught
- Start Date(s): Late August 2024
- Duration: One year full-time
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: Clifton Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Primary teaching at Nottingham Trent University
The PGCE in Primary Education enables you to become a confident and competent Primary Teacher who can enable children to learn effectively across the whole curriculum. The course also develops your understanding of the demands of the National Curriculum, the Curriculum for the Foundation Stage and other Government initiatives.
This PGCE will train you to teach children across the age-range of Primary Education. Our Primary Education course provides training in all primary stage National Curriculum subjects and equips you with the skills and knowledge to make the Primary Curriculum come alive for your students. You will develop an in-depth knowledge of the curriculum and will gain practical experience on placements in our partner schools. The course will equip you to respond effectively to the issues currently affecting schools. We place a strong emphasis on developing your individual strengths and skills within the context of the contemporary education environment.
The award of PGCE is offered at two levels:
- Professional Graduate Certificate in Education
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (where 60 Masters-level credits can be gained).
Both of these are recognised teaching qualifications, but the postgraduate degree will allow fast-track entry to Masters courses. The choice of which qualification to take will be made while on the course. Successful completion of the course will lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)*.
The course is designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to meet the demands of a first teaching post in the primary age range (5 to 11 years). You will focus on primary education across both key stages, a Department for Education requirement which is essential to gain an overview of development and progression throughout the complete primary age phase. There may be an opportunity to place an increased emphasis on either Key Stage One (five to seven years) or Key Stage Two (7 to 11 years) during your school based training.
* The title of this award is subject to change due to an ongoing government consultation. For the latest information, please visit www.gov.uk/dfe
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 Primary teaching degree is the curriculum breadth we offer. We provide modules in Teaching Primary English, Teaching Primary Mathematics, Teaching Primary Science and Teaching the Wider Curriculum. The Wider Curriculum module encompasses an introduction to the full range of foundation subjects along with RE and ICT. We also offer an introduction to the teaching of primary modern foreign languages for all trainees.
You will learn how to plan and resource your teaching in ways that engage and inspire young learners. In developing practical teaching and organisational skills, you will learn how to plan, teach and assess effectively. Understanding progression in learning, according to the diversity of needs and abilities of all pupils, will enable you to create an effective teaching environment that promotes and supports children’s learning. Also you will gain knowledge and understanding of the professional requirements for teachers along with an appreciation of the need for continued professional development throughout their career.
The course structure is designed to meet the current and developing changes in primary schools in the United Kingdom. The module structure allows sufficient flexibility to address the planned governmental curricular changes, as well as reflect effective research based practice both nationally and internationally. It is vital that the entire primary curriculum is reflected across the course and is supported by a professional studies module and is closely linked to the professional placement. The course structure is designed to support trainees in the early stages of their career as well as providing a lasting support for their future careers.
The course is built around three modules which are closely mapped to the school-based training during the year.
Learning to be a teacher (60 credits)
This module aims to equip you with an understanding and experience of planning, setting high expectations and appropriate targets; monitoring and assessment; and teaching and behaviour management. The module encourages critical reflection through personal development and evaluating professional and research-based resources in order to develop your approach to teaching and learning.
Learning to teach (20 credits)
This module will help you become a teacher who exercises responsibility: for your pupils as individuals and as members of groups within and beyond the school community; and for productive interaction both with professional colleagues including teaching and support staff in school, staff from external agencies and with other adults, including parents and carers.
Learning to teach a subject (40 credits)
Through this module you will develop your understanding of the key concepts relating to education across the range of the subjects taught in the primary school context.
You will reflect upon recent educational research and develop an understanding of what might be considered ‘best practice’ in schools. You will be challenged to develop your professional identity as a critically reflective teacher able to interrogate professional practices and values. This module
is designed to support you in engaging in an independent, professional enquiry; and developing a focus for your own research and in-depth study. It will also support you in becoming an active contributor to the knowledge base of teaching and learning as a research-informed practitioner.
Further information on what you'll study
Professional accreditation
We are accredited by the UK Government's Department for Education as a provider of initial teacher-training courses. Successful completion of the course leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), enabling you to commence a career in teaching as an Early Career Teacher (ECT).
How you’re taught
Assessment
This full-time one-year course runs for 40 weeks from the beginning of September to the beginning of July. The majority of your time will be spent on placement in schools, with high-quality school experience being central to the course. You’ll undertake school-based training in a variety of schools during the year. 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.
Trainees also engage in assessments that draw together academic and professional practice. School-based training is assessed continually, with an overall assessment completed during the final period of placement. You’ll undertake focused preparation in the core subjects of English, mathematics and science, as well as in the full range of foundation subjects taught in the primary school context, art and design, computing, design and technology, foreign languages, geography, history, music and physical education. You will also receive an induction into Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE), citizenship, and religious education. The effective use of information technology permeates all aspects of the course. You’ll explore creative cross-curricular approaches to teaching. Your work will be set against the background of wider professional innovation and debate, as well as educational research findings.
Placements
Approximately two-thirds of your year will be spent in primary schools. There are three periods of School-based Training: an initial placement in school during the autumn term, followed by two major block placements (a nine week period in the autumn and spring terms and a nine week block at the end of the course). There is also a ten day enhancement opportunity in the spring term, which will broaden your experience and will be organised based on each individual's needs and interests.
The school based training may be in city centre, suburban or semi-rural locations. This variety provides opportunities for a wide range of teaching experiences and lays a good foundation for your professional development. Course members are encouraged to develop increasing levels of self-reliance, independence, enterprise and capability to manage their own learning.
Careers and employability
The vocational nature of the PGCE Primary Education degree 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 teacher in the primary age range (5 to 11 years).
Links with industry
We involve industry experts in our courses in a number of ways:
- We consult with employers when we design and update our courses.
- We ensure you are prepared to meet the demands of the workplace by continually checking the currency and validity of our courses with employers.
- You will have the opportunity to have a work placement (if not already in paid or voluntary employment).
- Employers may input directly into your course through guest lectures, projects, and other work-related activities.
Campus and facilities
Entry requirements
You will need:
- A UK honours degree or equivalent, at a minimum 2:2.
- GCSE English, Mathematics and Science at minimum grade C or equivalent, We accept the GCSE equivalency taken via equivalencytesting.com or astarequivalency.co.uk. Applicants with pending qualifications will be considered.
- an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and any other safeguarding checks that may be necessary
- Two references - one academic and one vocational.
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 find out more about how to arrange this online.
Applicants will need to undertake an interview as part of the selection process.
There is no longer the requirement to complete DfE Professional Skills Tests. Instead, you will be expected to demonstrate your competent use of fundamental English and mathematics skills during your training.
If necessary, you can take a relevant GCSE as a private candidate. Find out how to do this on the AQA's website.
NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.
All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
You will need:
- A UK honours degree or equivalent, at a minimum 2:2.
- GCSE English, Mathematics and Science at minimum grade C or equivalent, We accept the GCSE equivalency taken via equivalencytesting.com or astarequivalency.co.uk. Applicants with pending qualifications will be considered.
- an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and any other safeguarding checks that may be necessary
- Two references - one academic and one vocational.
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 find out more about how to arrange this online.
Applicants will need to undertake an interview as part of the selection process.
There is no longer a requirement to complete Department for Education Professional Skills Tests.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Postgraduate preparation courses (Pre-Masters)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Pre-Masters courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
For guidance, course fees for 2023 are:
| Course | Home (UK students) |
|---|---|
| PGCE Primary Education | £9,250 |
Home students can apply for a student loan for tuition and maintenance fees. In addition students may be eligible for maintenance or special support grants. More information on the funding for Initial Teacher-Training courses can be found on Gov.uk and the Department for Education website.
Your eligibility for financial support, and the amount you can expect to receive, will depend on the subject in which you train and your degree classification, or highest relevant academic qualification.
Alumni Discount
If you've graduated from NTU in the last 5 years, then you may be eligible for a 20% discount on postgraduate courses. As long as you've met the conditions and accepted your offer, the discount is automatically applied at enrolment.
All correspondence prior to this will show the full course fees. Please contact ntu.scholarships@ntu.ac.uk if you have any additional questions or queries. You can view the terms and conditions here.
For guidance, course fees for 2023 are:
| Course | International/ EU students |
|---|---|
| PGCE Primary Education | £16,800 |
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your postgraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Alumni Discount
If you've graduated from NTU in the last 5 years, then you may be eligible for a 20% discount on postgraduate courses. As long as you've met the conditions and accepted your offer, the discount is automatically applied at enrolment.
All correspondence prior to this will show the full course fees. Please contact ntu.scholarships@ntu.ac.uk if you have any additional questions or queries. You can view the terms and conditions here.
How to apply
Applications to this course are made through the Department for Education. Click Apply Now at the top of the page to be redirected.
Interview
The interview procedure will take between three to four hours and includes a group task in which you will be asked to discuss an issue, reach a decision and make a group presentation. In an individual interview you will be asked questions in relation to the selection criteria and information provided on your application form. Each candidate is also expected to talk informally with the interviewer about an educational issue. The choice of issue is entirely up to individual candidates and should last no more than five minutes. In a written task you will be asked to write about an issue relating to teaching and learning. Candidates will be asked to nominate a subject strength, which relates to the National Curriculum within the primary school.
Applications to this course are made through the Department for Education. Click Apply Now at the top of the page to be redirected.
Interview
The interview procedure will take between three to four hours and includes a group task in which you will be asked to discuss an issue, reach a decision and make a group presentation. In an individual interview you will be asked questions in relation to the selection criteria and information provided on your application form. Each candidate is also expected to talk informally with the interviewer about an educational issue. The choice of issue is entirely up to individual candidates and should last no more than five minutes. In a written task you will be asked to write about an issue relating to teaching and learning. Candidates will be asked to nominate a subject strength, which relates to the National Curriculum within the primary school.