Primary Education PGCE

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Train as a Primary School teacher in just one year. Share your love of learning. Help young children get the very best start in life.

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Learning, teaching and assessment in 2021/22

Overview

The Primary Education PGCE will qualify you to teach at primary level in any state-maintained school in England and Wales.

This one year course blends theoretical knowledge with carefully supervised teaching experience. You will attend placements in a variety of school settings, to gain a broad understanding of the realities of primary level teaching.

Please use UCAS code 3FPC for the January intake or X100 for the September intake.

Why us?

‘World-leading’ research in Education, according to the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF)
The starting salary of a newly qualified teacher is £22,000, and the average salary for a teacher is £37,400
Sign up to our Routes into Teaching webcast

We have partnerships with more than 200 schools
The University of Sunderland was ranked 12th in the Courses and Lecturers category of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2019

Course structure

In-school training is an important part of this course. During that time, you will benefit from practical learning and be supported by Mentors in school, University tutors and your peers.

You will be assessed throughout the course. Your subject knowledge will be monitored with subject audits. This will allow you to identify your strengths and areas of development, and then work with your Subject Specialist Tutors to action plan to improve your knowledge and confidence.

This course is a mixture of University-based learning and in-school training. By the end of the course you will have knowledge and experience of work in Primary Schools and settings.

University-based modules

Negotiated study (Foundation Subjects/Enrichment Subject (Level 7) (30 credits)
Development of Professional Learning: Case Study (Level 7) (30 credits)
Subject Studies (30 credits)
School Experience (30 credits)

Placements are an important part of this course. During that time, you will benefit from practical learning and be supported by school Mentors and University-based tutors.

Your progress will be assessed with written assignments, case studies, and assessments of your teaching practice.

This course is a mixture of University-based learning and in-school training. You will spend at least 120 days on placement in at least two educational settings. Our Primary PGCE Programme is unique in its design. In addition to Assessed Placements, we provide our students with additional Theory Linked Practice/Focus days in schools. We are committed to providing our trainees with the richest and broadest opportunities. These Focus days have been specially designed to enable students to research and experience practice in important aspects of education introduced in University sessions. These include days in the Early Years Foundation Stage, KS3/4; experience of Diversity and Inclusion in school, EAL and Special Educational Needs and Disability.

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Facilities

You'll be based at The David Goldman Informatics Centre, on the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s. It’s a modern building with great views of the River Wear, and just a few minutes walk from the coast.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

Qualification	Minimum grade
a Canadian bachelor's degree	GPA 2.40
a USA bachelor's degree	GPA 2.5

If you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article.

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.

You will usually need a 2:2 (or above) honours degree from a UK Higher Education institution or an equivalent qualification and be deemed suitable to train to teach by the School of Education at the University of Sunderland.

You must have a grade C or above in Mathematics, Science, and English Language, or equivalent qualifications. If you have studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above. We will only accept equivalencies from equivalencytesting.com.

In addition to academic qualifications, you must also:

Have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
Complete a medical pro forma (based on DFEE Circular 8/92)

Your numeracy and literacy competency will be assessed continuously throughout the course, following the DfE’s removal of the Professional Skills Test.

If English is not your first language, you will also need International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at a score of 6.5, with at least 6.5 in writing, and no section below 6.0.

You will be assessed on your potential to learn and not your experience.

All successful applicants will be invited to an interview. Interviews start early November, so we recommend that you apply as soon as UCAS opens, in October.

Please note, applicants with a foundation degree will need to supplement this qualification with at least 60 credits at level 6 (HE level 3) in order to attain an equivalent single qualification.

If you are applying for September 2020, please use UCAS code X100.

If you are applying for January 2021, please use UCAS code 3FPC.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

2021/22 annual fees are:

£9,250 if you are from the UK/Europe*
£12,500 if you are an international student

*European Union (EU), EEA (European Economic Area) and Swiss nationals are classed as international, however 21/22 entrants will receive a European student fee scholarship and will pay the (postgraduate) home tuition fee rate for the duration of their studies. The discounted fee will be reflected on your offer letter. Learn more in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

This degree awards Qualified Teacher Status, which means that when you graduate you’ll be qualified to teach in any state-maintained primary school in England and Wales. Most graduates from this course go on to teach in primary schools.

Good teachers are always in high demand. The average starting salary for a teacher is £22,000, and experienced teachers can earn up to £56,000 outside London, and £64,000 in London. Head teachers can reach a salary of between £42,379 and £112,000.

School placements

The University of Sunderland has partnerships with over 200 schools, in 12 local authorities. We’ll work with you to find you the perfect placements - schools that can nurture and support your aspirations and interests, and help you become the best primary teacher you can be.

Related courses

PGCE Early Years Teaching (IDL)

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Education and Society.

Page last updated: 13 May 2021

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