PGCE - Primary

If you are a graduate with a passion for learning and an interest in a career in primary teaching, this course is for you. The PGCE Primary Education degree is a one year course that leads to the award of qualified teacher status. The course aims to prepare student teachers to be highly-skilled, confident, critically reflective and innovative practitioners who are committed to life-long professional learning and the education of young people.

Essential criteria:
All applicants will be required to apply through UCAS by completing an online application form. Applications will then be assessed against the entry criteria for the relevant programme and applicants invited to attend an interview on the basis of this information.

All applicants should:

Have a sound academic profile,
have the aptitude, capability, and resilience to meet the required QTS outcomes by the end of their ITE programme,
possess the appropriate personal and intellectual qualities to become excellent practitioners,
read effectively and be able to communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written English and/or Welsh,
not have a criminal background which might prevent them working with children or vulnerable young people, or as an education practitioner, and have not previously been barred or excluded from teaching or working with learners (student teachers are required to arrange for an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)),
demonstrate at the interview stage as having the appropriate personal functional skills in literacy, numeracy and digital competence applicable in a professional teaching and learning context,
demonstrate their suitability to become excellent teachers,
meet the requirements of the Welsh Government's Education Health Standards (2004), confirming their health and physical capacity to undertake a teacher's responsibilities.

GCSE Requirements:
GCSE Grade C / Grade 4 or above in either English Language or Welsh Language (First Language), Mathematics or Mathematics - Numeracy and Science (or a standard equivalent)

Students studying to teach in Welsh medium schools will also need a GCSE grade C or above in Welsh (First language)

Please note that Grade C / Grade 4 or above in GCSE English Language or Welsh First Language, Mathematics or Mathematics - Numeracy and Science (or a standard equivalent) should already have been achieved in order to be considered for interview.

Applications may be considered from those who have achieved below a 2:2 Honours degree, but where higher qualifications and/or substantial relevant experience have been attained, e.g. Masters, PhD.

Work Experience:
Applicants are asked to ideally evidence at least 10 days work experience in a mainstream school across the primary age range within the 12 months prior to application. At least 5 days experience needs to be place prior to your interview and evidenced within the personal statement of the UCAS application.

Personal Statement:
A strong personal statement indicating the applicant's potential to undertake the PGCE Primary Programme. The statement should demonstrate the breadth of knowledge and personal experience gained in primary education to date and how this has equipped the applicant to potentially be an effective primary teacher. Reference to personal experiences/extra curricular interests that could contribute to enriching children's learning should also be included. A high standard of written English/Welsh is essential.

For international applicants, whose first language is not English, aminimumIELTS score of 7.5 overall with no sub scorelower than 7.0 (or equivalent qualification) will be required for admission to the programme.