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PGCE Primary Education with QTS

Train to be a primary school teacher and graduate with Qualified Teacher Status. Share your love of learning and inspire young people. Ensure every child gets access to a quality education.

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A student working on a maths task with three primary school children
UCAS codeG381
Duration1 year
Fee(s)View fees
LocationOn campus

Course summary

The PGCE Primary Education with QTS degree qualifies you to teach at primary level in state-maintained schools in England.

Combining theory with hands-on teaching experience, the course includes at least 120 days of school placements in a variety of settings. With partnerships across 650+ schools, colleges, and other educational institutions, we’ll help you find a placement that aligns with your career goals.

A flexible part-time version of this PGCE is available, mainly delivered via distance learning with some focused on-campus sessions – ideal for those balancing existing commitments.

Upon successful completion, you’ll graduate with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Most students on this course go on to become primary school teachers, a profession currently in high demand.

What you'll study

Core modules

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some of these options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific required modules. If you’re not sure what you need before picking a module, your course leader can help.

PGCE module credits should total 120. If optional modules are available alongside core modules on your course, you should choose an amount that totals 120 credits.

How you'll learn

Full-time route

The full-time PGCE Primary Education is a mixture of University-based learning and in-school training. You'll complete placements in at least two educational settings where you'll benefit from practical learning and be supported by school mentors, University tutors, and your peers.

We'll also provide you with additional theory linked practice days in schools, enabling you to research and experience practice in important aspects of education introduced in University settings. These include the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), KS3/4, experience of diversity and inclusion in school, English as an additional language (EAL), and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Your progress will be assessed with written assignments, case studies, and assessments of your teaching practice. Your subject knowledge will also be monitored with audits to identify your strengths and areas of development, working with your subject specialist tutors to improve.

Since finishing my PGCE, I’ve gained employment as a full-time teacher. Throughout the course, I’ve learnt to believe in myself and have confidence in everything I do, and the placements have helped me develop even further.

Molly Benson

Read Molly Benson's story

Entry requirements

Fees and finance support

Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2026/27 will be £9,535. You'll pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

Check your fee status(opens in new tab).

Tuition fees for this course are eligible for funding through the Student Loans Company (SLC). Please apply via the government website(opens in new tab), or contact studentfinancialguidance@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).

See all course tuition fees.

Apply now

If you're applying for a postgraduate initial teacher training course, you should apply via the government website(opens in new tab).

For more information, please contact our Student Helpline team on 0191 515 3000(opens in new tab) or email student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).

Disclaimer

We want to make sure you have clear and accurate information about our courses. Our website always shows the latest updates. If you’ve applied and been offered a place, we’ll contact you in writing if anything important changes.

View our programme specifications(opens in new tab) for further information about what the course covers, learning outcomes and the skills you'll gain when you graduate.