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Primary Education (QTS) PGCE

Start date

  • 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
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information
Information for 2024/25

Introduction:

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 studying for a degree, just graduated or planning a career change, studying with us will allow 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.

Course 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 recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), enabling you to commence a career in teaching as an Early Career Teacher (ECT) and then to complete your induction period.

  • DfE logo
100
%

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.

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.

Staff Profiles

Paul Waring-Thomas - Principal Lecturer

School of Social Sciences

Paul Waring-Thomas is a Principal Lecturer in Nottingham Institute of Education in the School of Social Sciences.

Nick Page - Senior Lecturer

School of Social Sciences

Nick Page lectures on ICT in the Primary PGCE and BA courses in Nottingham Institute of Education.

Augusta Steele - Senior Lecturer

School of Social Sciences

Liz Ruston - Lecturer

School of Social Sciences

Liz Ruston is a Senior Lecturer in the Primary Education team. She teaches on the BA Primary Education courses, specialising in Art and Leadership & Management. Liz was a primary

Katie Willshire - Senior Lecturer

School of Social Sciences

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.

Campus and facilities

As a Primary Education student you will benefit from our specially designed teaching rooms simulating primary classrooms for design and technology, 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.

Entry requirements

What are we looking for?

You will need:

  • 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
  • an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and any other safeguarding checks that may be necessary
  • two references.

Other requirements

  • 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

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

What are we looking for?

You will need:

  • 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
  • an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and any other safeguarding checks that may be necessary
  • two references.

Other requirements

  • 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.

International qualifications

We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:

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.

Fees and funding

2024 course fees

Course Home (UK students)
PGCE Primary Education £9,250  

*Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.

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.

2024 course fees

Course International/ EU students
PGCE Primary Education £17,500

*Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.

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.

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.

Interviews

All suitable candidates for this course will be required to attend a face-to-face interview at Clifton Campus or at one of our partner schools.

Our interview process will take between three to four hours and includes a group activity, a written task, a maths task, and a face-to-face interview. This assesses your capabilities and potential, and provides you with the opportunity to share your motivation for training to become a primary teacher.

Applications to this course are made through the Department for Education. Click Apply Now at the top of the page to be redirected.

Interviews

All suitable candidates for this course will be required to attend a face-to-face interview at Clifton Campus or at one of our partner schools.

Our interview process will take between three to four hours and includes a group activity, a written task, a maths task, and a face-to-face interview. This assesses your capabilities and potential, and provides you with the opportunity to share your motivation for training to become a primary teacher.