Primary Education (3-11) (Provider-led School-based) with QTS, PGCE
Are you looking for a rewarding career where you will be able to impact some of the most crucial years of a child's development? Our PGCE Primary (School based) course is for you.
We develop excellent teachers who are resilient, critical, and reflective classroom practitioners. You will benefit from the university’s commitment to inclusivity, diversity and serving disadvantaged communities. The well-structured curriculums and placement-based training prepare trainees well to enter the world of teaching (Ofsted 2023).
This school-based course is designed to prepare the PGCE Primary course with QTS* aims to prepare beginning teachers to meet the Teachers’ Standards.
Throughout the course, beginning teachers will be challenged to achieve these standards to the highest level and we shall aspire to enable them to achieve outstanding levels of professional practice through both the taught curriculum and their placement practice.
Beginning teachers will follow one of two pathways: 3-7 years, covering Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 or 5–11 years, covering Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The age phase route they follow will determine the assessed placements undertaken.
School
Location
Duration
1 years full-time
Start month
September
Home /international fees 2025/26
£9,535 /£17,500
What you should know about this course
What you will study
About the course team
When you join us, you will be taught by an experienced team of experts with an academic, research and primary school background. This includes academics from a range of disciplines and recent head teachers and teachers. The University of Greenwich has a long history in education and our academics are experts in their respective fields committed to sharing their expertise with aspiring teachers.
Come and meet us
We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
- An undergraduate (honours) degree at 2:2 or above
- In addition, you will need: GCSE Mathematics, GCSE English Language and GCSE Science at grade 4/C. Equivalent qualifications may be considered.
For more information, use our contact form or call us on 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Further information about entry
Application and selection
- Suitable applicants will be required to attend an interview/selection day
Applicants will also be required to:
- Provide an academic or professional reference
- Complete a Suitability Declaration
- Pass an Occupational Health check
- Pass an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use Prior Learning?
Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.
How you will learn
Teaching
This school-based PGCE in Primary teacher training aims to enable trainees who have previously gained a degree qualification at Level 6 to transfer knowledge and skills into primary settings in order to gain QTS*. However, to become evidence-informed, problem-solving practitioners they need a sound theoretical underpinning which provided by the Postgraduate Certificate in Education at Level 7 which is delivered symbiotically with the professional elements of the training programme.
Class sizes
The typical student intake per year averages 100-110. Students attend all lectures. Teaching groups are 20-25 and personal tutor groups are 15-20.
Independent learning
Outside of timetabled sessions, you will need to dedicate time to self-study to prepare for course work, presentation, and portfolio subject knowledge. Our library and online resources will support your further reading and research. You can also join a range of student societies, including Education.
Overall workload
If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job.
Assessment
Assessment methods include essays, portfolios, presentations, and practical teaching in school. After being formally assessed against the national statutory requirements, you can be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status*.
The course provides an opportunity to gain Master's-level credits by submitting appropriate assignments.
Feedback summary
Information coming soon.
Dates and timetables
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Fees and funding
University is a great investment in your future. English-domiciled graduate annual salaries were £10,500 more than non-graduates in 2023 - and the UK Government projects that 88% of new jobs by 2035 will be at graduate level.
(Source: DfE Graduate labour market statistics: 2023/DfE Labour market and skills projections: 2020 to 2035).
| Cohort | Full time | Part time | Distance learning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | £9,535 | N/A | N/A |
| International | £17,500 | N/A | N/A |
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a wide range of financial help including scholarships and bursaries.
The Greenwich Bursary
This bursary is worth £700 for new undergraduate students with a low household income, entering Year 0 or 1 who meet the eligibility criteria.
EU Bursary
Following the UK's departure from the European Union, we are supporting new EU students by offering a substantial fee-reduction for studying.
Financial support
We want your time at university to be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress, so planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
Resources: you may need to purchase books for your studies (estimate, £150 per year).
Placements: you are expected to pay for your transport to your placements during the year.
University of Greenwich sets and receives fees, delivers the programme, provides wellbeing support, and makes the academic award. University of Derby co-designs and accredits the curriculum, and recommends the QTS award.
Careers and placements
Will I have a work placement?
You will spend a minimum of 24 weeks in two primary schools, with intensive training placements for an additional four weeks where you will focus on core elements of practice. This will be an integral part of your study and provides the context in which you can develop your professional skills, knowledge and understanding.
There will also be further opportunities to engage in school-based training in a range of specialist schools and educational contexts.
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
Graduates of this course can pursue a teaching career in primary schools.
Employment rates are outstanding and have consistently been well above national and London averages year-on-year.
Do you provide employability services?
Our services are designed to help you achieve your potential and support your transition towards a rewarding graduate career.
The Employability and Careers Service provides support when you are preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles. It includes CV clinics, mock interviews, and employability skills workshops.
Each School also has its own Employability Officer, who works closely with the industry and will provide specific opportunities relevant to your own course.
We hold an Employability Fair which is attended by Partnership schools.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics.
Support from the department
During the course, you will be allocated a personal tutor who will support your studies. Your tutor will be on hand to offer both personal career and academic guidance. Individual support and designated workshops are tailored to meet the needs of each of our students in order to ensure high quality outcomes.
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our postgraduate courses or check our related courses below.....
Teacher training at the University of Greenwich
We’ve over a century of experience training excellent teachers and strong links with schools and employers. Our courses are also rated good by Ofsted for our Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Further Education and Training teaching (Ofsted, 2023).
Visit our teacher training degrees page.
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