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PGCE Primary Education with QTS (School Based)

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 primary school teacher showing a book to a class of pupils with their hands up
Course codeCID1196
Duration1 year
Fee(s)View fees
LocationOn campus

Course summary

The PGCE Primary Education (School Based) course is designed for graduates who want to train as primary school teachers through hands-on experience in a school, supported by the University.

We partner with around 24 primary schools, grouped into School Based Alliances led by a lead school. You’ll apply to one of these Alliances and, if successful at interview, be placed in one of their host schools for your training.

Many trainees go on to work at their placement school, as the initiative helps schools grow future teaching and leadership talent.

On completion, you’ll earn both a PGCE and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), allowing you to teach in any state-maintained primary school in England.

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

The training you receive on the PGCE School Based course will take place at both your school and the University. You'll usually spend one day a week at the University during non-assessed weeks, plus induction days, intensive training and practice (ITAP) days, and review days. You'll be taught via lectures, seminars, tutorials, group work, and independent study.

Work-based learning will be based in your school. You'll have a school and University mentor who support you during placements and assess your progress. As part of the four modules, you'll be assessed via written work and your teaching practice where you'll collect evidence from school experiences and have this reviewed by your Personal Academic Tutor.

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).

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.