About this course
Inspire the next generation by becoming a qualified teacher for 5 to 11-year-olds. You'll develop into a confident teacher who can improve the progress and outcomes of the children you teach. Our PGCE Primary courses also give you the opportunity to gain credits towards a master’s degree. This will strengthen your career prospects and progression even further.
Our PGCE Primary programme gives you a strong overview of the National Curriculum at Key Stages 1 and 2 and non-National Curriculum subjects such as religious education.
Through this course you’ll:
- learn about the National Curriculum, current policy, and safeguarding
- develop skills for planning, teaching, assessing, and managing a classroom
- conduct research such as a small-scale classroom investigation
- have the chance to work in Kenya for two weeks, if the COVID-19 pandemic allows
- explore positive attitudes to health and well-being of children and teachers
You’ll have 2 different school placements within Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire or the Isle of Wight. You’ll be placed as close as possible to home, but allow for up to 1 hour for travel (self-funded). The rest of the time you’ll be in University, other settings, and independently studying.
Course lead
Ian Campton is a senior teaching fellow in mathematics education. He has a lot of experience teaching in rural and inner-city primary and junior schools, both as a teacher and an assistant head teacher. He was also the mathematics coordinator for most of these schools. His research interests include mathematical subject knowledge of primary school teachers, realistic mathematics education, conceptual and procedural learning. Read Ian Campton's staff profile.
Related pathways
You can choose the following specialism as part of your general primary training:
You'll develop the specific skills you need to be a primary maths specialist through focused university sessions, carefully selected school placements and a programme of additional experiences.
“I have been put in great schools for my placement and this has really set me up for my future career as a primary teacher. I was also lucky enough to travel to Kenya and teach over there. This was an incredible experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the Course Description Document
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
Changes due to COVID-19
Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.
Find out more on our COVID advice page.
Entry requirements
You’ll need:
- an honours level undergraduate degree 2:2 or above
- GCSEs (minimum grade 4/C) in English language, maths and science
- the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written and spoken English
- basic numeracy and ICT skills
We will consider applicants with a 2:2 degree where they can demonstrate particular strengths.
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
You don’t need classroom experience before you start this course, but we do recommend you to arrange time in a school to improve your understanding of the role of a classroom teacher.
To follow the maths specialism route, you’ll need to have GCSE maths at grade A or A* (or equivalent) and an A or AS level (or equivalent) would be desirable. We’ll also consider mathematical elements of your degree or significant work experience involving Mathematics.
If your qualifications aren't suitable, we offer equivalency tests in English, maths and science (non-transferable).
Other areas of relevant experience may also support your application, for example, coaching, playgroups, voluntary work overseas.
As part of the application process you’ll have a formal interview, give a short presentation, and carry out a written task.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Careers
Successfully completing this PGCE Primary qualification will give you Qualified Teacher Status as well as your PGCE award. This means you'll be able to work as a teacher in state-maintained and special schools in England and Wales.
We have high employment rates from our PGCE courses, with many trainees going on to work in our partnership schools. Successful completion of the maths specialism route will also put you in a strong position, both when applying for jobs and career development.
If you choose to continue your studies, the credits you build up from your master’s-level modules can be put towards a future master’s degree qualification.
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV/resume and interview skills workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
How to apply
Application deadlines
UK students
Make sure we receive your application at least 4 weeks before the start of the course. This gives us time to consider your application, if there are still places available.
International students
Make sure we receive your application at least 6 weeks before the start of the course.
This gives us time to consider your application, if there are still places available. It will also give you time to apply for a visa if we offer you a place.
Supporting information
GOV.UK processes applications for this course. When you apply, they’ll give you details of any supporting information or documents you’ll need to supply.
Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.
What happens after you apply
After applying through GOV.UK you’ll hear from us by email. We have 40 days to respond, but most applicants hear back much sooner.
If you get through to the next stage we’ll invite you to an interview with tutors, where we’ll assess your suitability for training and teaching. We’ll also ask you to give a short presentation and carry out a written task.
We’ll then decide whether to offer you a conditional place. The decision will be uploaded to your GOV.UK application within 5 working days.
All offers are conditional on enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and health checks.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
