PGCE Primary (5-11)

Leads directly to Qualified Teacher Status with a specialism in teaching 5–11-year-olds. Our graduates enter the teaching profession as newly qualified teachers and gain posts in mainstream, academies, free schools, the independent sector, international schools and many other educational settings.

• Choose a programme with a national reputation for its quality.
• Learn to teach and assess all the required subjects of the national curriculum for children ages 5-11 with confidence and creativity.
• Benefit from the high-quality teaching of our experienced tutors, who provide inspirational learning opportunities for you, based on pedagogical research and innovative current practice.
• Engage in your own research and gain up to 60 credits at masters level.
• Become an outstanding teacher as you progress through 24 weeks in three different placements, supported by expert mentors.
• Connect with a number of high-quality teaching schools across the South West with the University of Plymouth's School Direct Programme.
• Benefit from close partnerships with a very diverse range of schools and educational settings across the whole of the South West of England, London and internationally.
• Learn in a supportive environment and receive high-quality support from your lecturers, link tutors and school-based staff teams.  

• Year 1

• You’ll learn to teach the core subjects of the national curriculum for children aged 5–11 in primary schools, as well as being introduced to the non-core subjects through lectures, seminars and workshops on campus and independent study. The programme consists of 14 weeks campus-based lectures and seminars interspersed with 24 weeks of three different placements. Throughout the year you'll reflect upon your professional development as a teacher, as you bring together your understanding of educational theory with your developing knowledge of outstanding practice to enhance children’s learning. In the final placement, which is in a different age phase than the previous one, you will take on – as closely as possible - the full responsibilities of a qualified teacher. You will be supported with your preparations for your first teaching post as a newly qualified teacher (NQT).

  Core modules

  • Blocked Experience in Educational Settings 1 (EPGP605)

    This module provides the opportunity for students to develop skills, knowledge and understanding within educational settings.

  • Final Experience in Educational Settings (EPGP607)

    This module provides the opportunity for students to complete their achievement of those aspects of the National Standards for QTS which are assessed in schools.

  • Reflection on Professional Studies (EPGP700)

    This module focuses on developing student teachers' essential knowledge and understanding of professional values and practice and their ability to critically reflect on key issues in education and classroom practice.

  • Key Stage 1 and 2 Core Curriculum Subjects (EPGP712)

    This module focuses on developing student teachers essential knowledge & understanding of Key Stage 1 and 2 (KS1 & 2) subject knowledge and pedagogy in English, mathematics & science in preparation for School Experience and, subsequently, meeting the standards consistent with achieving Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

  • The Broader Curriculum in Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 & Key Stage 2 (FS, KS1, KS2) (EPGP615)

    This module focuses on developing student teachers’ essential knowledge and understanding of subjects and areas of learning ‘beyond the core’ in preparation for school experience and, subsequently, reaching the standards consistent with achieving Qualified Teacher Status.

  Optional modules

  • Reflection on Professional Studies (EPGP600)

    This module focuses on developing student teachers' essential knowledge and understanding of professional values and practice and their ability to reflect on key issues in education and classroom practice.

  • Key Stage 1 and 2 Core Curriculum Subjects 2 (EPGP612)

    This module focuses on developing student teachers essential knowledge & understanding of Key Stage 1 and 2 (KS1 & 2) subject knowledge and pedagogy in English, mathematics & science in preparation for School Experience and, subsequently, meeting the standards consistent with achieving Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

PGCE Primary (3-7; 5-11) Programme Specification 2021 22 6761

Academic requirements

• GCSE grade C/4 (or equivalent) in English, mathematics and a science subject.  We offer our own GCSE Maths equivalency programme.
• An honours degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent, from a recognised university (masters and PhDs also count towards entry requirements. A masters degree will be considered as a second class upper degree and a PhD as a first. This will also apply to international applicants). It is not necessary for the degree to be in a national curriculum subject.
• If you have overseas qualifications you can check your compatibility with the UK equivalent through UK ECCTIS, who provide an advisory service.
• There is also a requirement to pass minimum standards for literacy and numeracy.
  

Applications for this programme are made via DfE Apply.

Please ensure when submitting your application form that you are available for interview during the 40 day turnaround time following the submission of your application form. DfE stipulate for all training providers to make a decision on applications within 40 working days. If you are not able to attend your interview during this period we will be unable to make a decision and therefore DfE will reject your application by default. If you are unable to attend interview until after the 40 day period, and your application is rejected by default, you will need to re-apply. If you have any concerns about this process email us at interviewtostudy@plymouth.ac.uk.

For any further information and support to help you become a teacher, please visit getintoteaching.education.gov.uk.

Interview guidance

All short-listed applicants are invited to an interview. You'll be sent an article to read beforehand, as well as suggestions for further research on a current topic, such as phonics. On the day there will be a presentation to give you information about the PGCE programme and an opportunity for you to ask questions. You'll be involved in a group discussion about the article and have a paired interview with a tutor on the PGCE course. We are looking for people who can talk about educational issues and children's learning, drawing on their own personal experiences as a learner and on their observations of teachers in primary schools. There is also an audit of your English and maths skills with a short test. At the end of the process, we want you to be clear what the programme offers, what you can expect from us and what our expectations are of you.