PGCE Primary Education with QTS Full-time

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

Start date/study mode:

UCAS codeG381

Duration1 year

Fee(s)View fees

LocationOn campus

Course summary

The PGCE Primary Education with QTS prepares you to teach in primary schools in England.

You'll study theory and gain hands-on experience. The course includes at least 120 days in school placements across different settings. We work with over 650 schools, colleges, and education providers. We help you find a placement that suits your career goals.

A flexible part-time option is also available. Most of the course is online, with some on-campus sessions. This suits those with other commitments.

When you complete the course, you'll gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Many graduates go on to teach in primary schools, where there is strong demand.

Why Sunderland for Education and Teacher Training

What you'll study

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific 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

You'll usually need a 2:2 honours degree or above from a UK university, or an equivalent qualification. You must also be suitable for teacher training, as assessed by the University.

You must have grade C or above in maths, science, and English, or an equal qualification. If your GCSEs use number grades, you need at least a 4. We only accept equivalency tests from equivalencytesting.com(opens in new tab).

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)
If English isn't your first language, obtain 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.

Your numeracy and literacy skills are assessed throughout the course, in line with the Department for Education guidance after the Professional Skills Test was removed.

You may have experience in a mainstream primary school to build knowledge of Key Stage 1 and 2, but this is not essential. We assess your potential to learn, not your experience.

All successful applicants are invited to interview. Interviews begin in early November, so we recommend you apply as soon as applications open in October.

If you have a foundation degree, you'll need at least 60 credits at level 6 to meet the entry requirements.

Read our additional information about the part-time course.

Fees and finance support

If you study for this PGCE, you'll pay the same yearly tuition fee as an undergraduate Home student.

Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. If you're a Home fee-paying student, the fee for your first year of study for 2026/27 will be £9,790. 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

Start date/study mode:

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 you're offered a place, we’ll contact you in writing if anything important changes.

For more information, view our programme specifications. These include course content, learning outcomes, and the skills you'll gain.