Primary and Early Years Education with QTS - PGCE
Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.
Do you have a passion for educating children, supporting their academic and personal growth at a key stage in their development? Is your aim to become a reflective, critical and enquiring primary school teacher? Then our PGCE Primary and Early Years course is for you.
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Full Time
- Award PGCE
- Start date September 2025
- Fees View course fees
- Subject Education
- Location City Centre
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
Do you have a passion for educating children, supporting their academic and personal growth at a key stage in their development? Is your aim to become a reflective, critical and enquiring primary school teacher? Then our PGCE Primary and Early Years course is for you.
What's covered in this course?
Our aim is to help you become a committed, confident and creative teacher so we’ll train you in the essential tools you need to kick-start your career in education. You’ll increase your ability to handle the ever-evolving teaching environment, and by the time your course is complete, you’ll be in a position to continue developing your understanding, knowledge and skills throughout your professional life.
Our ITE Curriculum aligns with the DfE (2019) ITT Core Content Framework. Our ambitious curriculum is designed within a spiral curriculum model, which deepens your knowledge and understanding through an iterative revisiting of identified topics, subjects, and themes throughout all our Primary QTS courses.
Why Choose Us?
- We play a huge role in training and educating the teaching workforce across the West Midlands region; we have trained over 1400 primary and early years teachers since 2018 and over half of them continue to work and teach in our region (HESA).
- Our curriculum is designed by research-active subject experts to be integrated between university and school-based training with input from our partnership schools, ensuring you’re equipped to meet the needs of the teaching workforce now and in the future.
- We have partnerships right across the West Midlands and beyond so you can benefit from training in a range of schools and early years settings, preparing you for work in a wide variety of schools when you qualify.
- Study in our specialist facilities, such as the Primary Innovation Room, art room, music rooms and science lab.
- We have international links in countries such as Spain, France and Germany to enable you to experience primary education in another country if you wish.
- We meet the Department for Education's (DfE) Criteria for Initial Teacher Training and successful candidates on our Initial Teacher Training courses will be recommended to the DfE for Qualified Teacher Status.
OPEN DAY
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.
Next Event: 24 November 2024
Entry Requirements
Essential requirements
UK students
Essential |
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You must have a Bachelor’s degree (normally a 2:2 above) or a Master’s degree in a relevant subject from a UK higher education institution or equivalent. |
We accept a range of qualifications in lieu of GCSEs for our Initial Teacher Training courses. Please see a full list of GCSE equivalencies for Initial Teacher Training. |
Successful candidates must meet Department for Education requirements for Initial Teacher Training prior to enrolling on this course. This includes obtaining a satisfactory occupational health check and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, as well as prohibition and children’s barred list checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance. |
International qualifications
A minimum IELTS score of 7.0 is required with no individual component less than 6.5. Candidates who have undertaken IELTS will also need to successfully pass our GCSE English equivalency test. |
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
The way you apply for teacher training has changed. The Department for Education (DfE) has developed a GOV.UK application service for postgraduate teacher training called ‘Apply for teacher training’ which you will need to use to make an application.
Course codes:
- 3-7 age phase: X110
- 5-11 age phase: 338B
We would like all applicants to make a fully informed decision about joining the teaching profession. As part of that decision making process, spending sometime in a school and considering the role of the teacher will prove to be invaluable.
Personal statement
You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
If you are applying for a stand alone module, please include the title of the module you want to study in your Personal Statement.
Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.
Course in Depth
Year One
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following modules (totalling 60 credits):
The PGCE Primary and Early Years programme provides high quality initial teacher training for those wishing to teach in primary schools and early years settings. This module provides opportunities for trainee teachers to explore the nature of the core subjects (Mathematics, English and Science) and prime and specific areas of the EYFS in the context of learning and teaching in the primary school and early years settings. The module provides substantial support for trainees’ professional practice in such settings, assessed through the School Experience modules. This module provides a strong philosophical underpinning to the importance of trainees’ subject knowledge in the primary school and EYFS curricula. By undertaking this module trainees will be shaping their own rationale for their approach to the teaching of the above subjects/areas and to meet the needs of all learners.
The PGCE Primary and Early Years programme provides high quality initial teacher training for those wishing to teach in primary schools and early years settings. This module provides opportunities for trainee teachers to explore the nature of the foundation subjects for key stages 1 & 2 (History, Geography, Art, Music, Computing, Design & Technology, Physical Education, Foreign Languages and Religious Education) and certain prime and specific areas of the EYFS including Physical Development, Understanding the world (not ‘science’ elements) and Expressive Arts and Design. The module provides substantial support for trainees’ professional practice in such settings, assessed through the School Experience modules. This module provides a strong philosophical underpinning to the importance of trainees’ subject knowledge in the primary school and EYFS curricula. By undertaking this module trainees will be shaping their own rationale for their approach to the teaching of the above subjects/areas and to meet the needs of all learners. Trainees will develop an understanding of cross-curricular approaches and how they support the development of knowledge, understanding and skills in the foundation subjects /areas of learning.
This module belongs to the School Based Training strand of the programme. Working in partnership with schools over a sustained period of time in school, this module, School Based Training 1, provides opportunities for you as a trainee teacher to meet the professional standards and expectations of teaching through practical experience. You will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced teachers and other education professionals to develop your knowledge, understanding and skill in the classroom and the wider school environment. Schools will undertake to provide trainees with a variety of opportunities to observe best practice which addresses the trainees’ development needs. You will be able to implement theory and evidence-based understanding on an on-going and development basis into your teaching into the classroom.
Working in partnership with schools over a sustained period of time in school, this module, School Based Training 2, enables you to build on and demonstrate your mastery and achievement of the professional standards and expectations of teaching through practical, school-based experience. You will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced teachers and other education professionals to develop your knowledge, understanding and skill in the classroom and the wider school environment. You will be able to implement theory and evidence-based understanding into your teaching into the classroom and within a professional, safe and supportive community of practice become a confident, creative and committed teacher demonstrating a working understanding of and progress towards, the professional standards that underpin learning and teaching in a primary or early years settings. You will be assessed against the current professional competences for teaching through a learning, teaching and assessment strategy that describes the stages of development as emerging, establishing, embedding, and enhancing.
This module provides opportunities for trainee teachers to explore the nature of teaching and leadership in the context of primary school and early years settings. The module provides substantial support for trainees’ professional practice in such settings, assessed through the School Experience modules. This module provides a strong practical understanding of the importance of trainees’ wider professional awareness and responsibilities in the primary school and EYFS settings. By undertaking this module trainees will be shaping their own rationale for their approach to teaching and meeting the needs of all learners.
Download course specification
Download nowThis course seamlessly blends research-informed academic study with hands on school experience from day one. It offers a blend of critical thinking and practice-based learning to ensure you develop as a confident, committed and reflective practitioner.
It offers you an integrated and creative approach to initial teacher training that values diversity and respect for all backgrounds and the opportunity to gain experience working with children from a wide range of social, economic and cultural backgrounds.
The course will enable you to explore different models of teaching, the many ways children learn and a range of approaches to managing behaviour in the classroom. You will develop an understanding of how to engage, motivate and assess learners through a creatively planned curriculum that will take into account the needs of different learners and positively impact on learners’ outcomes.
Course structure
This postgraduate course takes place over one year full-time. Note that all PGCE with QTS courses commence teaching in the first week of September.
The structure of the course includes both school-based and university-based learning and is designed to meet the needs of each trainee teacher and to support and develop the skills, knowledge and professional attributes you need to become an outstanding teacher.
The course leads to the award of 60 credits at Level 7 and you will spend at least 120 days in schools developing the professional understanding and knowledge you need to meet the Teachers’ Standards for the award of QTS.
You'll choose from:
- PGCE Primary and Early Years 3 to 7 (full-time) – the curriculum includes the Early Years Foundation Stage and the National Curriculum in Key Stage 1 and school based training will be in EYFS and KS1.
- PGCE Primary and Early Years 5 to 11 (full time) - the curriculum includes the National Curriculum in Key Stage 1 and 2 and school based training will be in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
All trainees learn to teach across the range of subjects in the Primary National Curriculum, but there is a strong focus on English and mathematics.
Whichever route you choose, you’ll take a Professional Studies module where you can choose to focus on a National Curriculum subject area, depending upon demand. If you're looking to teach children aged 3 - 7, you will focus on Early Years for this module.
Assessment methods
You will be assessed through a range of methods to include audits of subject knowledge, written assignments and presentations. Academic work will need to be of the high standard required of postgraduate (Level 7) study.
Assessment of school based training is ongoing and will take a range of evidence into consideration, to include planning sequences of learning, teaching observations, evidence of effective marking and feedback. You will be assessed against the Teachers’ Standards (DfE 2012). You will need to meet the requirements of Part 1 and Part 2 of the Teachers’ Standards to be recommended for the award of QTS, so high standards of professionalism are essential.
Employability
Employment opportunities
Whatever subjects you choose, we focus on giving up-to-date knowledge. The real-life experience you gain on placements can also give you a real head start in the career stakes.
Placements
We work hard to maintain strong relationships with more than 900 primary schools in the region. All have signed a Partnership Agreement pledging their commitment to offering our trainees a high-quality experience.
International
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Details of the entry requirements for our courses
- Some of the good reasons why you should study here
- How to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Information relevant to applicants from your country
- Where to find financial support for your studies.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £400 million on new learning facilities.
From January 2025, this course will be based at our City Centre Campus in a newly refurbished building.
Our staff
Paul Purser
Associate Professor of Education & Social Work
Having completed a Science degree, Paul undertook a PGCE and qualified in 1990. He has always led Science within school in addition to his teaching and leadership commitments. Alongside this he developed his skills in whole school leadership, leading year groups and phases within school.
More about PaulGrant Huddleston
CoESW Project Lead for Professional Development, Senior Lecturer in Physical Education
Grant commenced employment at Birmingham City University in 2017 as the Senior Lecturer for Physical Education (PE), working across both primary and secondary education within the College of Education and Social Work. During that time, Grant wrote, taught, and lead the PE curriculum for the BA (QTS) Primary Education, PGCE Primary Education (QTS),...
More about GrantGary Pykitt BA (Hons) QTS, PGCE, PGDip
Senior Lecturer in Primary Education/College Academic Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Gary's association with BCU started in November 1997 when he was interviewed for the BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS course which commenced in September 1998, graduating with First Class Honours in 2002. Gary’s teaching career commenced at a large primary school in Burton upon Trent, undertaking a variety of responsibilities including...
More about GaryDamienne Clarke
Senior Lecturer in Primary Education (History and Professional Studies)
Damienne gained her undergraduate degree from the University of Liverpool and then completed a PGCE in Primary Education at the University of Durham. Prior to joining Birmingham City University in September 2013, Damienne’s background was in Primary Education and she worked in six primary schools over a twenty three year period.
More about Damienne