PGCE with QTS Primary Early Years (3-7) (School-based)

Entry year
2023/24
Course code
X122
Application
Department for Education
Level
Postgraduate
School
School of Education and Childhood
Campus
Placements supported by online learning
Duration
One year full-time; two years part-time
Delivery
Full-time and part-time; April start
Programme leader
Jo Morgan. Please direct any enquiries to odlpgce@uwe.ac.uk

Please note there are no vacancies to this course for April 2023. Applications for April 2024 entry should be made through DfE Apply from October 2023.

Page last updated 14 August 2023

Introduction

Our PGCE courses enable graduates to train and qualify as teachers while studying. You'll spend all your time in a school-setting, whilst studying a university-led course online. You can study your chosen course over one year full-time or two years part-time.

UWE Bristol is committed to training the best teachers for the future, able to provide first-class educational experiences and make a significant difference to children's lives.  We'll train you to do so in partnership with your schools or educational settings.

Teaching is a challenging, exciting and rewarding career, with a high level of job satisfaction. It's a great privilege, as well as a great responsibility, to be able to influence and shape the progress of children and young people.  All children deserve to learn well, with enthusiastic specialist teachers.

To undertake the course, you must be in a role, or secure a role, in a school. This will enable you to undertake the required teaching practice specified by the Department for Education (DfE), which must be agreed by UWE Bristol before starting the course.

Your teaching practice will need to include some time spent in an alternative UK placement school, ensuring you'll gain a variety of teaching experience. The schools involved will need to support your engagement with and progression through the course.

Early education is a critical stage of children's development, so you'll have the opportunity to enter a career where you'll make a significant difference to the lives of the children you teach.  In the PGCE Early Years (3-7), you'll study the theory and practice to enable you to provide high quality education for young learners. This includes studying the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Key Stage 1 National Curriculum.

Studying a PGCE at UWE Bristol

PGCE students talk about the support they have received from the PGCE programme at UWE Bristol. This is the first of three talks. Find out more.

Structure

Content

The PGCE courses are part of the School of Education and Childhood, within the Initial Teacher Education cluster.

Our PGCE programmes are very popular, so the standard of applicants is high. As a trainee teacher, you'll usually complete at least 120 days on placement practice in a minimum of two contrasting schools. During this time, you'll be expected to demonstrate effective progress in your own practice and have a positive impact on pupil progress over time.

The modules you'll study are:

  • Learners and Teachers A and B
  • Curriculum Studies A and B
  • Practice A and B.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to government policy changes and feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up-to-date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their careers. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.

Learning and Teaching

The PGCE courses are designed so you spend all your time in a school-setting, supported by online learning. Seminars, lectures and placement-based learning equip you to meet the Teachers' Standards, enabling you to teach and assess in your chosen phase and/or subject.

Hear what our students think about their time at UWE Bristol.

See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.

Personal support

We recognise that embarking on a new course of study can sometimes be challenging. You'll be allocated a personal tutor from your phase who will support you throughout the course.  You can also access support on a range of issues, from a Student Adviser or other university support services.

Assessment

This course prepares you for a career as a teacher and leads to recommendation for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) on successful completion.

You'll have assessments, tasks and assignments and the final block school experience. All modules are compulsory, and you must pass all modules to gain the award of PGCE.

You'll be assessed through various assignments and classroom practice against the standards specified by the Secretary of State for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Your final assessment will be marked against the DfE Teachers' Standards.

See our assessment pages for more information.

Features

Placements

Professional Practice

You'll complete two school-based placements in UK schools that you'll need to organise before starting the course, at least one of which needs to be in England. To qualify for QTS you will need to spend at least 50% of your placement time in an English school. You may be already employed by a school as a Teaching Assistant or Support Member of staff.

Trainee teachers are supported in schools by their Class Mentor (Primary) or Subject Mentor (Secondary), who is their day-to-day contact and supporter in school during placement.

Study facilities

Get a feel for the Education and Teaching facilities we have on offer here from wherever you are.

Life

Postgraduate support

Our support includes access to fantastic facilities, study tools and career consultants, plus practical help to access everything from funding to childcare.

Bristol

A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.

Sports, societies and activities

There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.

Health and Wellbeing

We provide support in the way you need it.

Campus and facilities

Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.

Careers

Careers / Further study

PGCE courses include 60 credits assessed at master's level, which you can use to contribute towards a master's degree.

As a trainee teacher, you'll be joining a modern and well-regarded course to train to teach across your chosen age range and gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Fees

Supplementary fee information

The PGCE is financed as an undergraduate course. More information on fees can be found on our tuition fees pages.

For funding options, please see funding for PGCE students.

Entry

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

For Early Years 3-7 years, you should typically meet the following criteria:-

  • An undergraduate degree, or a recognised equivalent qualification. This is typically 2:2 or higher but we will look at all applications against the demands of the course.
  • GCSE grade C/4 in English Language, Mathematics and Science, or equivalent. We do not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Certificates in Adult Numeracy and Literacy as alternatives to GCSEs.

Our PGCE courses include a high level of placement-based learning and working with children. We encourage all applicants to get as much relevant experience of working or volunteering with children to help prepare them for this crucial element of their course.

Selection process

Applicants who meet the entry criteria will be invited to an interview, including tasks as appropriate.

Additional requirements

All applicants will be required to complete:

  • A clear Enhanced DBS Disclosure including check of children's barred list
  • Satisfactory references including one from latest employer and/or latest role involving working with children
  • Verification of identity and right to work in the UK
  • Check for sanction, restriction or prohibition on teaching issued by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) (if in teaching role)
  • Criminal records checks overseas. If you have lived, studied or worked overseas for three months or more in the last five years a Certificate of Good Conduct from the country of residence will be required even if you are a UK applicant or currently based in the UK.

The University will also check that candidates are not::

  • subject to a prohibition order issued by the Secretary of State
  • disqualified from childcare
  • or have obtained a childcare disqualification waiver from Ofsted.

All information will be treated in confidence.

Standards and requirements

Following the review of Standards and Requirements for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) by the Secretary of State in 2012 (revised in June 2013), our PGCE courses have been designed to be compliant with the latest standards and requirements.

Deferrals

It is not usual practice to accept deferrals for PGCE programmes. However, we appreciate there may be extenuating circumstances to consider and therefore Programme Leaders will consider requests on a case-by-case basis.

English Language Requirement

All International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 6.0 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

Due to a high level of placement based learning and working with children, all applicants should have an effective command of the English language and be able to use it appropriately, accurately and fluently in a school setting. International and EU students will be required to produce a certificate evidencing the necessary IELTS or approved equivalent*.

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section.

Potential exemptions:

If you are a national of one of the following English-speaking countries, you will not be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency. Exempt countries are: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United States.

How to apply

Please see the Department for Education pages for guidance on how to apply.

Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.

For further information

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