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Postgraduate taught

Primary Education PGCE

University of Gloucestershire

What is Primary Education PGCE?

If you’re looking for a lifelong, challenging and exciting career, teaching may be for you. We offer our students an exceptional training experience at the University of Gloucestershire. The course aims to prepare you for entry into the teaching profession, developing your expertise in teaching children aged either 3-7 years or 5-11 years.

There are two awards at the end of the course – the Postgraduate Certificate in Education and the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education – depending on the academic assessment of the course. Both awards include recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for successful candidates.

We were founded as a teaching college 175 years ago, and following the introduction of new quality requirements, our Initial Teacher Training (ITT) courses leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), have successfully achieved reaccreditation in 2022 by the Department of Education.

Our ITT courses have also recently been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, with inspectors highlighting their ‘unique’ emphasis on sustainability and the University’s strong partnership with schools.

Study style

This PGCE gives a high priority to school-based learning and to developing your analysis, evaluation and autonomous learning and development skills. We work with a range of primary schools and early years settings, enabling us to place trainees in at least two different schools throughout the course of training.

School placements are assessed through the scrutiny of evidence by students, school staff and university tutors – while professional development and subject knowledge are assessed through written assignments.

Strong collaboration between expert colleagues across the university and our partnership promotes inspirational research-informed training for aspirational teachers. Our highly professional trainees take responsibility for their own learning and make an immediate impact on pupil progress. We want all of our trainees to make a significant contribution to children’s lives and to feel enriched by successful careers in teaching.

Entry requirements

    • An honours degree, normally a 2.2 or above. If you do not hold a 2.2 or above, we will be able to consider your application but will require additional information.

    • GCSE English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject at grade 4 (C) or above, or an equivalent qualification.

      If you don’t have a traditional GCSE, get in touch with our admissions team who will be able to advise you.

    • If you are offered a place on the programme you will be required to complete a health declaration, which will be assessed by the University Doctor.

    • The University of Gloucestershire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all our trainees to share this commitment.

      If you are offered a place it will be subject to:

      • Satisfactory Safeguarding checks including the receipt of a ‘satisfactory’ Enhanced DBS return including children’s barred list information
      • Satisfactory completion of suitability form
      • Verification of two references
      • Satisfactory Certificate of Good conduct, where applicable, for those who have lived or worked abroad

Course modules

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Fees and costs

Students usually support themselves through the postgraduate loan, private savings, family support or sponsorship from an employer. For advice and guidance on your funding options, contact the Money Advice team at moneyadvice@glos.ac.uk or call 01242 714535.

UoG graduates receive up to 20% off postgraduate tuition fees. Terms apply.

Start date Location Course code Total Fee (UK) Total Fee (international)
Sep 2024 Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham X110 £9,250 £16,600
Sep 2025 Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham X110 TBC TBC

Ready to apply?

Possible careers

Graduates from this course can go on to work in primary school teaching – which may lead to subject leadership and the opportunity to progress to roles in the senior leadership team of a school. Others progress on to further study, to achieve a postgraduate diploma or MA.

Take opportunities to specialise

Enhance your skills on placements with a self-chosen focus, which allows you to develop your experience in areas that interest you.

Gain 60 Master's level credits

The course gives you the opportunity to gain 60 Master’s-level credits, with clear progression onto the MA programme. This means there’s a defined pathway if you’d like to develop your knowledge further.

Endless possibilities with a master’s degree

Increase your pay potential, specialise in the subject you love, or pursue your passion and switch careers.

UoG students can benefit from an alumni discount. Receive 20% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees as a 2021 UoG graduate.

Discover your next step.