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PGCE in Primary Education

Why choose Herts?

Excellent reputation: Ranked 1st as best university provider for Teacher Training in the UK (NSS, 2020-21).

Local industry connections: Benefit from our strong partnerships with over 300 schools and training providers across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Cambridgeshire.

Industry accreditation: You will be awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) upon graduating on this programme, enabling you to teach within primary schools. You will have a work-placement opportunity with a choice of primary school settings.

  • Entry requirements and key information
    • Honours degree (2.2 or higher), awarded by a UK university or an overseas award recognised as equivalent by UK ENIC.
    • GCSE (or IGCSE) English language, mathematics and science at grade 4 or above (grade C or above under the previous grading structure and at ‘O’ Level).
    • NB Equivalency tests in lieu of GCSE maths, English language and science will only be considered in exceptional circumstances by prior discussion with the admissions team.
    • Applicants from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS Academic score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band. This must be no more than two years old at the point of application.
    • Competency in fundamental English is assessed at interview. In addition fundamental English and mathematics competency forms part of continual assessment in the Initial Teacher Education year.

    Suitability to train to teach is assessed at interview.

    International qualifications

    GCSE equivalent qualifications achieved overseas must be recognised as comparable to grades 4/C or above by UK ENIC. First degrees awarded overseas must also be recognised as equivalent to British honours degree by UK ENIC. This is known as a Statement of Comparability. Depending on the outcome, the ITE admissions team may require an applicant to produce an academic transcript listing full modules/subjects studied in order to make an admissions decision about comparability in relation to Standard and Honours degree classification.

    We may require certified translations of certificates/documents issued in any language other than English. Please note this is likely to be an additional cost to the applicant.

    If the qualifications have been taken abroad then you will need a Statement of Comparability from ENIC before applying for the programme. Visit ENIC for more information.

    Suitability checks

    The University of Hertfordshire ensures that suitability checks have been completed prior to the commencement of the programme, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2021) and ITT criteria and supporting advice (section C1). This process is overseen by the Head of ITE, Victoria Pateman, and Head of ITE Compliance, Ewelina Roberts.

    The following checks are:

    • proof of identity
    • proof of academic qualifications
    • suitability and safer recruitment self-declaration, in this declaration the applicant is informed of their duty to disclose relevant information under childcare disqualification arrangements and any cautions or convictions
    • enhanced DBS
    • a barred list check
    • prohibition from teaching check - Teaching Regulation Agency
    • for applicants who have lived abroad for three months or more in the past 10 years, an overseas criminal record check - GOV.UK
    • health and physical fitness to teach assessment.

    UCAS code
  • X171

    • Institution code

    		 H36

    School of study

    		 School of Education

    Course length
  • Full Time, 1 Years

    • Location
  • University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
  • Employability

    Careers

    On successful completion of the programme you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status and be ready to start your teaching career.

    Alumni success stories

    See what some of our previous graduates have gone on to achieve and how their time at the university helped shaped their careers.

    Jake Garwood

Alumni Stories

Jake Garwood

Meet Jake Garwood who discovered his passion for teaching and education while studying. He currently works as a Year 4 teacher in a junior school near the University.

Read more stories BA (Hons) Education
Current job roleYear 4 teacher
Year of graduation2016 / 2017
Course of studyBA (Hons) Education
PGCE in Primary Education

Sparking a passion

Jake decided to go to the University of Hertfordshire based on our 'excellent reputation for teaching training.' His time as a student did not disappoint as his course sparked his passion for education and he says the 'engaging modules at the University and inspiring tutors played a key part in making me the teacher I am today.'

The variety of modules on both of my degrees, from contemporary issues in education to educational technology, from philosophy of education to equality and inclusion, put me in the best possible position to begin my teaching career.'

Aspirations for the future

Jake finds teaching an extremely rewarding career, therefore he does not intend to leave the profession. He says, 'I think it is one of the most rewarding profession available and if you care about the future, then teaching the next generation is one of the best things you can do.'

However, he adds that his ultimate goal is to work towards a Masters in Education, followed by a PhD in the same field. He'd like to keep his options open as to future career paths.'

Professional Accreditations

Qualified Teacher Status

About the course

This programme is available to UK/EU students only.

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

The programme comprises of taught sessions at the University and school-based training.

Why choose this 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 programme will prepare you to teach the entire primary phase (3-11). You will, though, have a choice about the age groups where you will be placed when you go into school. You can opt for an age-range of training of either 3-7 (placements in EYFS and KS1) or 5-11 (placements in KS1 and KS2). It may be possible to undertake a 7-11 age-range of training (placements in upper and lower KS2).

This is a full-time, 1 year programme. (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 MA/MSc programmes. Those who achieve at Level 6 will be awarded the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education.

Rated Good by Ofsted 2023, the Ofsted report highlighted that ''The University of Hertfordshire ITE programme is thoroughly planned and carefully sequenced. This ensures that the curriculum is ambitious and provides trainees with the knowledge and skills to teach their chosen subject effectively''.

Ranked 10th for teacher training in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, Advance HE, 2023).

What will I study?

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 undertake school based training in  partnership schools, where you will further develop your skills to become an excellent classroom teacher.

  • Level 6
    Module Credits Compulsory/optional
    School-based training 1 30 Credits Compulsory
    School-based training 2 30 Credits Compulsory
    Primary teacher development through the core subjects 30 Credits Optional
    Primary teacher development through the foundation subjects and RE 30 Credits Optional
  • Level 7
    Module Credits Compulsory/optional
    Primary teacher development through the core subjects 30 Credits Compulsory
    Primary teacher development through the foundation subjects and RE 30 Credits Compulsory

    • Further course information

    Course fact sheets
    PGCE in Primary Education Download
    PGCE and ProfGCE in Primary Education Download
    Programme specifications
    PGCE in Primary Education Download
    PGCE and ProfGCE in Primary Education Download
    Additional information

    Sandwich placement or study abroad year

    n/a

    Applications open to international and EU students

    		 No

    Student experience

    At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

    Find out about how we support our students

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