Primary Education (Lower) PGCE

About the course

The PGCE Primary programme is structured to allow you to develop the skills required by primary teachers to teach the full range of National Curriculum subjects, with a strong emphasis on English and mathematics, and to develop specific expertise for making a distinctive contribution to primary practice. It also prepares you to meet the needs of individual learners by developing your awareness of child development, diversity, special educational needs and disabilities, behaviour and learners with English as an additional language.

The PGCE programme is an intensive course which should not be undertaken lightly. It requires a good deal of physical and emotional resilience to complete successfully. You need to be sure that you can meet the demands of the course and that the ethos and working style of the University of Hertfordshire suit your style of learning.

On application, you will select either a Foundation Stage / Key stage 1 (3 – 7 years) or Key Stage 1 / Key Stage 2 (5 – 11 years) pathway. At the end of the course, you will be qualified to teach across the 3 – 11 age range. The pathway you choose affects the schools in which you are placed for training.

The programme is currently a full-time, 1 year course (5 days a week attendance).

The PGCE is offered at master’s level and the 60 M level credits gained can be accredited towards a master’s degree, via our Continuing Professional Development programme. Those who achieve at Level 6 will be awarded the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education.

Why choose this course?

This programme offers Qualified Teacher Status for the 3-11 age phases in primary schools with a choice of specialism in Foundation/Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 1/Key Stage 2.

The course comprises of taught sessions at the University, directed online learning and school-based training as well as teaching placements in schools.

Study routes

• Full Time, 1 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

At the end of the programme you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status and be ready to start your teaching career. The School of Education has an excellent record of employment and those who actively seek a teaching post at the end of the programme are successful in joining the profession.

Teaching methods

You will be taught through a variety of lectures, seminars and workshops, as well as engaging with directed tasks. Alongside taught content at the university and engagement with online learning materials, you will have school placements, where you will further develop your skills to become an excellent classroom teacher.

Professional Accreditations

Qualified Teacher Status

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Curriculum Studies

  This module will develop students’ understanding of delivering the primary curriculum across the primary phase, developing their awareness of the teacher’s role. Students will focus on what it means to be an excellent teacher and develop the confidence to take risks in their teaching in order to motivate and engage learners. They will develop their subject knowledge and consider how this underpins a strong pedagogical approach which supports the learning of all pupils. They will also critique current initiatives in education and use this to strengthen their own teaching.

• Developing Professional Practice - Primary

  In combination with other modules on this programme this module gives an insight into the initiatives, debates and innovations in education today and is designed to complement the subject module. Students will develop a critical understanding of how children learn and develop, focussing on a variety of issues relevant to classroom practice. The course addresses current initiatives in classroom practice in the Foundation Stage and Primary School. Students will gain knowledge, understanding and the practical application of a limited range of research methods. They will begin to develop higher order analysis and evaluation skills and an ability to apply some originality to findings.

• School Based Training 1

  In conjunction with other programme components, this module aims to prepare trainees to be Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) in primary schools. The Primary School Based Training 1 will comply with the current requirements and focus on coverage of the current Standards for qualified teacher status. There will be extended opportunities to observe learning and teaching and to carry out teaching practice. Each trainee will receive training, support and assessment from a school mentor during his/her placement and from a visiting University tutor while on placement. Reflective practice is an essential element for ensuring on-going progress in meeting the Standards

• School Based Training 2

  In conjunction with other programme components, this module aims to prepare trainees to be Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) in primary schools. The Primary School Based Training 2 will comply with the current requirements and focus on coverage of the current Standards for qualified teacher status. There will be extended opportunities to observe learning and teaching and to carry out an extended, more concentrated teaching practice that builds on the skills and experience derived from School Based Training 1. Each trainee will receive training, support and assessment from a mentor within his/her placement school and from a visit University tutor while on placement. Trainees also make cross phase links. Reflective practice is an essential element for ensuring on-going progress in meeting the Standards.

Optional

Fees & funding

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply