About this course
Inspire the next generation by becoming a qualified teacher for 5 to 11 year-old’s. You'll develop into a confident teacher who can improve the progress and outcomes of your students.
Our PGCE Primary courses also give you the opportunity to gain credit’s towards a master’s degree. This will strengthen your career prospects and progression even further.
Our PGCE Primary gives you a strong overview of the primary curriculum with a focus on English, maths, science, and information and communication technology (ICT). You’ll also explore the wider curriculum.
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 2 weeks
- explore positive attitudes to health and well-being of children and teachers
From our PGCE primary education course you’ll also be able to specialise in a subject area. Options include; maths, French, science, storytelling, PE, green issues, maths leadership, computer science, children's literature and drama.
The majority of trainees learn to teach ages 5 to 11, but some places offer teacher training for ages 3 to 7.
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 a variety of rural and inner-city Primary and Junior schools, both as a teacher and an assistant headteacher. 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.
“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 programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
In light of COVID-19, we’ve made changes to some elements of course delivery for 2020-21. For details as to how this has changed delivery for this course, please view the Addendum to the Programme Specification PDF.
Entry requirements
You’ll need:
- an honors level undergraduate degree 2:2 or above
- GCSEs (minimum grade 4/C) in English language and maths
- 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.
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 specialise in Mathematics you’ll need to have GCSE Mathematics 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 GCSE qualifications aren’t suitable, we offer equivalency tests in English and maths (non-transferable) which cost £50 each.
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.
Recognition of professional experience
If don’t have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Got a question?
If you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course please contact our enquiries team; we're very happy to help.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.ukTel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
COVID-19: we've made some changes to the structure of the course for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
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 and 2 placement schools. If you choose to study the School Direct PGCE option you will spend your time in your placement school.
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.
Modules
COVID-19: we've made some changes to our modules for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
For entry in Academic Year 2019-20
You must study the following modules:
Learning and assessment
COVID-19: we've made some changes to our learning and assessment methods for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
Learning
There is a strong emphasis on collaborative learning throughout this course. You’ll have opportunities to learn from practicing researchers and use research findings to inform your professional development.
In your school placements, you’ll have structured opportunities to observe experienced teachers at work and to discuss professional issues with colleagues.
You’ll also learn through various other methods including:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- group activities
- directed study
- independent study and research
- school placements
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.
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 2019). 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 vibrant 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
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK/EU students pay £9,250.
- International students pay £18,812.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
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.
How to apply
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. For information: there is a plan to move PGCE courses from applying through UCAS onto a DFE system.
Application deadlines
UK students
Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least two weeks before starting your course.
International students
We recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the start of the course to ensure you're able to meet our requirements and apply for a visa in time.
We cannot guarantee students who do not meet these deadlines will be able to begin their course.
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 will hear back by email from the University. The University has 40 working days to respond to your application, but you will almost always hear back much more quickly than that.
If you are selected for the next stage of the process you will be invited for an interview at the University. The interview process includes an opportunity to find out more about the course and to ask questions. You will give a short presentation, complete a short written task and have a face-to-face 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
