Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Primary (with Qualified Teacher Status QTS)
The Primary PGCE course forms a practical introduction to teaching. It provides the knowledge needed to teach children aged 5-11 years.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2024
Overview
The Primary PGCE is built on a consideration of the relationship between theory, practice and research.
It provides the professional expertise to teach children aged 5-11 years. The emphasis is on learning from experience through reflection and enquiry.
You'll undertake a combination of academic and professional study. This is to achieve recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
During the PGCE you undertake 60 credits of master's level modules. When you pass all components, you graduate with the PGCE at master's level and will be recommended for QTS.
PGCE Information session
Join our PGCE information session to learn about routes into teaching, including the teacher training opportunities at Newcastle University, funding available and how to use the national application portal.
On campus event: Monday 18 March, 5-4pm
Online event: Tuesday 19 March, 5-6pm
Find out more and sign up to our information session
Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you'll learn
Course modules revolve around school and classroom practice.
The course consists of school experience, primary professional studies and curriculum studies. The focus on professional studies and curriculum studies. This prepares you for delivering the National Curriculum. You will cover:
- art
- design and technology
- English
- geography
- history
- information and communication technology
- mathematics
- music
- physical education
- religious education
- science
We also offer expertise in historical, philosophical and sociological perspectives on education.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Thinking Through Teaching: The Reflective Practitioner | 30 |
| Professional Learning in Context (Primary) | 30 |
How you'll learn
The course begins at the start of September and completes in the following July.
It is delivered by the education section of the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences.
We work in strong partnership with local primary schools. This partnership provides a wealth of experience and opportunities for critical reflection.
The course covers all aspects of the primary school national curriculum. It explores both Key Stages 1 and 2.
School placements provide you with the opportunity to take charge of the whole class. You'll receive support from an experienced teacher. The course is structured around school term dates rather than university semesters.
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Essay
- Oral presentation
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Your development
Placements
Practical placements in schools take place across 120 days during the course. This provides a foundation for the professional journey towards being an outstanding practitioner. Placements will improve confidence and competence in the classroom.
We have many long-lasting relationships with various partnership schools. This enables a wide range of experiences across a range of contexts.
You'll spend 120 days of the PGCE year in many partnership schools. You'll also learn about Diversity and Equality and Special Educational Needs in schools.
The integration of school-based experience and university-based sessions is a powerful feature of the course. Many students each year gain employment in the school where they have trained.
Your future
Our graduates are high-quality professionals who meet the standards for Qualified Teacher Status. They exercise the professional judgement required to promote the highest quality education. They engage with enquiry-based learning, research and theory.
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
You'll have access to facilities and a growing collection of online resources. This includes a well-stocked Education Resource Centre.
You'll have access to two postgraduate research student study rooms. The largest study toom has recently been upgraded with additional workstations and soft seating area.
We have two on-site clinics:
We also have a well-equipped resource centre.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)
The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by the UK government.
See the Department for Education website for postgraduate teacher training funding opportunities.
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
Open days and events
You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:
- campus tours
- on-campus open days
- virtual open days
- webinars
Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually
Overseas events
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.
Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
PGCE Admissions
School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences
Email: pgce-education@ncl.ac.uk
Online
For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.
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