Primary (PGCE)

You’ll need:

• an honors 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

This is a full-time course. You’ll study from September to June, with breaks at Christmas and Easter.

You'll divide your time between the University, 2 main placement schools and visits to other schools.

The course consists of 4 compulsory modules. We assess 3 of them at master’s level, 1 at undergraduate level. You’ll need to pass the 3 master’s-level modules to gain your PGCE award.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

Learning activities for this course include:

• workshops and seminars
• tutorials  
• group activities  
• directed study  
• focused observation and reflective activities in school
• independent study and research 
• conference days
• guest speakers

Assessment

We'll assess you on your: 

• progress towards meeting the standards for QTS 
• professionalism, knowledge and understanding, and practical teaching in schools 
• successful submission of all University assignments and coursework

Academic Support

We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor.

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:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £19,850.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

Extra costs you might have to pay

Travel costs to and from school placements.

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

PGCE course applications are processed through UCAS. When you apply, you'll be taken to the UCAS website where you'll need to register an account with UCAS to submit an application.

Once you've registered with UCAS, you'll be invited to apply to several courses by including their course code in your application.

Application deadlines

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

UCAS process applications for this course. When you apply, they'll give you details of any supporting information or documents you'll need to submit.

Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.

What happens after you apply

Following application through UCAS you'll hear back by email from the University. The University has 40 working days to respond to your application, but you'll almost always hear back much sooner than that.

If you get through to the next stage of the process we'll invite you to an interview. This will include a chance to find out more about the course and to ask questions. You'll give a short presentation, complete a short written task and have an interview with tutors. Following the interview, we'll make a decision on whether or not to offer you a conditional place. The decision will be uploaded to UCAS within 5 working days of the interview date.

Interviews will take place online if they are not possible in person. You'll receive an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.

All offers are conditional on enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and health checks.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

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