PGCE Primary (3-7)

Leads directly to Qualified Teacher Status with a specialism in teaching 3–7-year-olds. Our graduates enter the teaching profession gaining posts in nursery settings and primary schools, including 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 Areas of Learning for the 3 - 7 Foundation Stage and the required subjects of the national curriculum for Key Stage 1 with confidence and creativity
  
• Benefit from the high-quality teaching of experienced university tutors, who provide inspirational learning opportunities for you, based on pedagogical research and innovative current practice
• Engage in your own research about 3 - 7 education and gain up to 60 credits at master’s level
• Become an outstanding teacher of young children as you progress through 24 weeks in three different placements, supported by expert mentors. You will be placed in a nursery setting, a reception class and a Key Stage 1 class during the course
• 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
  
• Connect with a number of high-quality teaching schools across the South West with the University of Plymouth's School Direct Programme.

• Year 1

• You’ll combine 14 weeks of campus-based lectures and seminars with three different placements totalling 24 weeks. Learn to teach Areas of Learning for the Foundation Stage, the core subjects of the national curriculum for Key Stage 1 as well as an introduction to the non-core subjects. You’ll learn through lectures, seminars and workshops and through independent research. Throughout the year you’ll reflect upon your professional development as a teacher, bringing together your understanding of educational theory with your developing knowledge of outstanding practice. 

  Your first two placements will be in 3 - 7 settings, where you will learn to provide exciting learning opportunities for young children. In your final placement, which will be in Key Stage 1, 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.

  • The Broader Curriculum in EYFS and Key Stage 1 (EPGP613)

    This module focuses on developing student teachers essential knowledge and understanding of Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2) subject knowledge and pedagogy in eleven Foundation Subjects/areas, in preparation for School Experience and, subsequently, reaching the standards consistent with achieving Qualified Teacher Status.

  • 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.

  • Early Years Foundation Stage & KS1 Core Curriculum Subjects (EPGP711)

    This module focuses on developing student teachers essential knowledge and understanding of Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2) subject knowledge and pedagogy in eleven Foundation Subjects/areas, 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.

  • Early Years Foundation Stage & KS1 Core Curriculum Subjects (EPGP611)

    This module focuses on developing student teachers essential knowledge & understanding of all Curriculum Goals for the Foundation Stage (CGFS) along with Key Stage 1 (KS1) 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 2020 21 6762

Academic requirements

• GCSE grade C/4 (or equivalent) in English, mathematics and a science subject.
• 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.

English language requirements 

If English is not your first language then we’ll need evidence of your proficiency in English as follows:

• IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in all four elements, or accepted equivalent English qualification as listed on our English language requirements.

Non-academic requirements

• Suitability for the PGCE Primary programme is judged on a range of factors including academic qualifications, ability to work with other people and a real interest in learning and teaching young children
• When selecting applicants for interview the admissions tutor will consider all parts of the application including personal statement and references. You may find the personal statement and reference sections on the UCAS website useful
• Find all of the important documentation you'll need when applying for this programme.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure

• All offers made for this programme are subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.

Fitness to Teach health screening

• You are required to complete Fitness to Teach health screening.

Applications for this programme are made via the UCAS Teacher Training site. 

Please ensure when submitting your application form through UCAS, that you are available for interview during the 40 day turnaround time following the submission of your application form. UCAS 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 UCAS 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 through Apply 2. If you have any concerns about this process you can visit the UCAS website or email us at educationinterviews@plymouth.ac.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.