University of Plymouth
Primary (5-11) (X101)

PGCE with QTS full time

• Financial support: Student finance if you’re eligible
• Qualification:
  PGCE with QTS

  A postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) with qualified teacher status (QTS) will allow you to teach in state schools in England and may allow you to teach in other parts of the UK.

  It may also allow you to teach overseas, though you should always check what qualifications are needed in the country you’d like to teach in.

  Many PGCE courses include credits that count toward a Master’s degree.

• Course length: 1 year
• Date you can apply from: 8 October 2019
• Date course starts: September 2020
• Website: http://www.plymouth.ac.uk

Contents

About the course

Gain an in-depth understanding of how young children aged 5–11 think, develop and learn. Offering two different placements during the programme, you will combine practical, real-world learning with the study of children’s communication, thinking and relationships.

Supported by our inspirational staff, you will satisfy the standards for qualified teacher status and start your journey to becoming an outstanding primary school teacher.

You’ll learn to teach the core subjects of the national curriculum for children aged 5–11 in primary schools, as well as being introduced to the non-core subjects through lectures, seminars and workshops on campus and independent study. The programme consists of 14 weeks campus-based lectures and seminars interspersed with 24 weeks of two different placements.

Throughout the year you’ll reflect upon your professional development as a teacher, as you bring together your understanding of educational theory with your developing knowledge of outstanding practice to enhance children’s learning. In the final placement, which is in a different age phase than the previous one, you will take on – as closely as possible - the full responsibilities of a qualified teacher. You will be supported with your preparations for your first teaching post as a newly qualified teacher (NQT).

Core modules:

EPGP605 Blocked Experience in Educational Settings 1

EPGP607 Final Experience in Educational Settings

EPGP614 The Broader Curriculum in Key Stages 1 and 2

EPGP700 Reflection on Professional Studies

EPGP712 Key Stage 1 and 2 Core Curriculum Subjects

Why choose a PGCE at Plymouth?

-Choose a programme with a national reputation for its quality.

-Learn to teach and assess all the required subjects of the national curriculum for children ages 5-11 with confidence and creativity.

-Benefit from the high-quality teaching of our experienced tutors, who provide inspirational learning opportunities for you, based on pedagogical research and innovative current practice.

-Engage in your own research and gain up to 60 credits at masters level.

-Become an outstanding teacher as you progress through 24 weeks in three different placements, supported by expert mentors.

-Connect with a number of high-quality teaching schools across the South West with the University of Plymouth’s School Direct Programme.

-Benefit from close partnerships with a very diverse range of schools and educational settings across the whole of the South West of England, London and internationally.

-Learn in a supportive environment and receive high-quality support from your lecturers, link tutors and school-based staff teams.

Interview process

All short-listed applicants are invited to an interview. You’ll be sent an article to read beforehand, as well as suggestions for further research on a current topic, such as phonics.

On the day there will be a presentation to give you information about the PGCE programme and an opportunity for you to ask questions. You’ll be involved in a group discussion about the article and have a paired interview with a tutor on the PGCE course.

We are looking for people who can talk about educational issues and children’s learning, drawing on their own personal experiences as a learner and on their observations of teachers in primary schools.

There is also an audit of your English skills with a short test. At the end of the process, we want you to be clear what the programme offers, what you can expect from us and what our expectations are of you.

How school placements work

The placement structure is divided into placement 1a, placement 1b and placement 2. Placement 1 will be undertaken at the same school to allow you the time and space to gain further skills and understanding back on campus before you return to the same placement school. You then have the opportunity to put your new skills and ideas into practice in an environment that you know and where you have developed professional relationships with the children you teach.

Placement 2 offers a different experience in a new school.

You will be teaching children between the age range 5-11.

Your placement could be anywhere from Cornwall though to Jersey or Essex. Although most of our placement schools are within the South West of England.

Fees

The course fees for 2020 to 2021 are as follows:

UK students	£9,250
EU students	£9,250
International students	£13,800

The fee’s displayed are those for 2020 entry

Financial support

You may also be eligible for a loan while you study – note that you’ll have to apply for undergraduate student finance.

Find out about financial support if you’re from outside the UK.

Financial support from the training provider

This programme is eligible for Initial Teacher Education (ITE) tuition fee loans and maintenance grants. Please see this link for further details: Get in to Teaching

Please note: The government bursary funding is subject to change and revision.

Student teachers receive a contribution towards travel costs to placements that are a greater travelling distance than their travel from their term time address to the university.

Requirements

Qualifications

Academic requirements

GCSE grade C (or equivalent) in English, mathematics and a science subject.

An honours degree (2:1 or above) or equivalent, from a recognised university (masters and PhDs also count towards entry requirements. A masters degree will be considered as a second class upper degree and a PhD as a first. This will also apply to international applicants).

If English is not your first language then we’ll need evidence of your proficiency in English. More information on this can be found on the Plymouth University website.

Personal qualities

Suitability for the PGCE Primary programme is judged on a range of factors including academic qualifications, ability to work with other people and a real interest in learning and teaching.

We would encourage you to apply because a range of life experiences may well make you an excellent candidate for this course.

Other requirements

There is also a requirement to pass minimum standards for literacy and numeracy.

All offers made for this course are subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure check.

You are required to complete Fitness to Teach health screening.

School experience is desirable, but not essential.

About the training provider

With a mission to advance knowledge and transform lives through education and research, the University of Plymouth is among the emerging global elite of modern higher education institutions.

Plymouth is distinguished by its approach to combining world-class research and teaching with a commitment to widening participation and social inclusion. We aim to ensure you have every opportunity to stretch yourself and explore within a supportive environment.

Our University campus is at the centre of a thriving, ocean front city in one of the UK’s most beautiful regions.

Plymouth has everything you would expect from the largest city in the South West – major high street stores, theatres, multiplex cinema, art cinemas, and a wealth of small clubs and venues.

We also enjoy easy access to the fine beaches and beautiful countryside of the South West.

Training with disabilities and other needs

Disability Services is part of Learning Support and Wellbeing and is here to help with your study support requirements if you have a disability.

Whether you’re a prospective student, applicant, current student or member of staff supporting students, we are here to assist. More information on University of Plymouth Disability services can be found here

Contact details

• Email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk
• Telephone: 01752 585858
• Website: http://www.plymouth.ac.uk
• Address: Nancy Astor Building, 3rd Floor; Drake Circus; Plymouth; Devon; PL4 8AA

Apply

Choose a training location

You’ll also need to choose a training location – select the relevant location name on the application form.

Location	Vacancies	Code
Main Site Faculty of Education, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA	Yes	-

Support and advice

For questions about this course you should contact the training provider using the contact details above.

Get support and advice about teaching

Register with Get Into Teaching, the Department for Education’s free support and advice service, for personalised guidance from teaching experts. They can help you to prepare your application, book school experience, and access exclusive teaching events. You can also call them free of charge on 0800 389 2500, or speak to an adviser using their online chat service, from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.

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