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2024/25.

Primary Education (3-11) (Provider-led School-based) with QTS, PGCE

Are you looking for a rewarding career where you will be able to impact some of the most crucial years of a child's development? Our PGCE Primary (School based) course is for you.

We develop excellent teachers who are resilient, critical, and reflective classroom practitioners. You will benefit from the university’s commitment to inclusivity, diversity and serving disadvantaged communities. The well-structured curriculums and placement-based training prepare trainees well to enter the world of teaching (Ofsted 2023).

This school-based course is designed to prepare the PGCE Primary course with QTS* aims to prepare beginning teachers to meet the Teachers’ Standards.

Throughout the course, beginning teachers will be challenged to achieve these standards to the highest level and we shall aspire to enable them to achieve outstanding levels of professional practice through both the taught curriculum and their placement practice.

Beginning teachers will follow one of two pathways: 3-7 years, covering Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 or 5–11 years, covering Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The age phase route they follow will determine the assessed placements undertaken.

Interested in a different year?

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* The University of Derby has co-designed and accredited the curriculum and will recommend QTS and the University Greenwich will make the academic award.
We received Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. This recognises our outstanding performance in student experience and outcomes.

School

Education

Duration

1 years full-time

Start month

September

2025/26 fees

To be confirmed

What you should know about this course

  • We have research rich communities across the partnership.
  • We impact on areas of deprivation.
  • We champion reading for pleasure with a focus on social justice.
  • Our courses are representative of the students we teach and the communities we serve.
  • We develop local teachers who teach with passion and purpose for the empowerment of the children.

GSA and Teach Thurrock


For mor information and to apply for our school based provision, select one of the options below.

What you will study

Modules for this programme will be confirmed shortly.

About the course team

When you join us, you will be taught by an experienced team of experts with an academic, research and primary school background. This includes academics from a range of disciplines and recent head teachers and teachers. The University of Greenwich has a long history in education and our academics are experts in their respective fields committed to sharing their expertise with aspiring teachers.

Come and meet us

We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.

Next Open Days

Got a question?

To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.

Entry requirements

If you are

Applicants should have:

  • Entry requirements for programmes leading to QTS* are determined by the ITT Accreditation criteria available through the Department for Education.
    *The University of Derby has co designed and accredited the curriculum and will recommend QTS and the University of Greenwich will make the academic award.
  • A good honours degree (2:2 or above) from a UK university or an equivalent qualification.
  • For entry on to any Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme, there is a minimum requirement nationally of a Grade C (Grade 4) or above in English Language, science, and mathematics at GCSE). There are a range of equivalencies, and you should check with the School Direct admissions team.
  • Candidates are also required to demonstrate suitability to teach through an interview which assesses personal and academic qualities, use of Standard English, and health and physical capacity to teach.
  • DBS and Health check required.

For more information, use our contact form or call us on 020 8331 9000.

You can also read our admissions policy.

The University of Greenwich accepts a broad range of international qualifications for admission to our courses. If you cannot find your country on this list, please contact international@gre.ac.uk.

Choose your country:

Available to overseas students?

Yes

Can I use Prior Learning?

Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.

How you will learn

Teaching

This school-based PGCE in Primary teacher training aims to enable trainees who have previously gained a degree qualification at Level 6 to transfer knowledge and skills into primary settings in order to gain QTS*. However, to become evidence-informed, problem-solving practitioners they need a sound theoretical underpinning which provided by the Postgraduate Certificate in Education at Level 7 which is delivered symbiotically with the professional elements of the training programme.

Class sizes

The typical student intake per year averages 100-110. Students attend all lectures. Teaching groups are 20-25 and personal tutor groups are 15-20.

Independent learning

Outside of timetabled sessions, you will need to dedicate time to self-study to prepare for course work, presentation, and portfolio subject knowledge. Our library and online resources will support your further reading and research. You can also join a range of student societies, including Education.

Overall workload

If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job.

Assessment

Assessment methods include essays, portfolios, presentations, and practical teaching in school. After being formally assessed against the national statutory requirements, you can be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status*.

The course provides an opportunity to gain Master's-level credits by submitting appropriate assignments.

Feedback summary

Information coming soon.

Dates and timetables

Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.

Fees and funding

Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.

2025/26 fees

To be confirmed.

Accommodation costs

Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.

Accommodation pages

Funding your study

There is a range of financial support options available to support your studies, including the Aspire@Greenwich award for study resources that many full-time students will receive.

EU students may be eligible for a bursary to support their study. View our EU bursary to find out more.

Discover more about grants, student loans, bursaries and scholarships. We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.

Financial support

Resources: you may need to purchase books for your studies (estimate, £150 per year).

Placements: you are expected to pay for your transport to your placements during the year.

University of Greenwich sets and receives fees, delivers the programme, provides wellbeing support, and makes the academic award. University of Derby co-designs and accredits the curriculum, and recommends the QTS award.

Careers and placements

Will I have a work placement?

You will spend a minimum of 24 weeks in two primary schools, with intensive training placements for an additional four weeks where you will focus on core elements of practice. This will be an integral part of your study and provides the context in which you can develop your professional skills, knowledge and understanding.

There will also be further opportunities to engage in school-based training in a range of specialist schools and educational contexts.

What sort of careers do graduates pursue?

Graduates of this course can pursue a teaching career in primary schools.

Employment rates are outstanding and have consistently been well above national and London averages year-on-year.

Do you provide employability services?

Our services are designed to help you achieve your potential and support your transition towards a rewarding graduate career.

The Employability and Careers Service provides support when you are preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles. It includes CV clinics, mock interviews, and employability skills workshops.

Each School also has its own Employability Officer, who works closely with the industry and will provide specific opportunities relevant to your own course.

We hold an Employability Fair which is attended by Partnership schools.

Support and advice

Academic skills and study support

We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.


Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics.

Support from the department

During the course, you will be allocated a personal tutor who will support your studies. Your tutor will be on hand to offer both personal career and academic guidance. Individual support and designated workshops are tailored to meet the needs of each of our students in order to ensure high quality outcomes.

Accommodation information

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Not quite what you were looking for?

We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our postgraduate courses or check our related courses below.....

Teacher training at the University of Greenwich

We’ve over a century of experience training excellent teachers and strong links with schools and employers. Our courses are also rated good by Ofsted for our Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Further Education and Training teaching (Ofsted, 2023).

Visit our teacher training degrees page.

Study education at the University of Greenwich


Senior teaching fellow Suzy Hails and primary education student Claudine Henney discuss our teaching programmes

Mode of study

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Apply now

If you are a UK student or have settled/pre-settled status (EU) and you want to study full-time then you apply through the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS).

If you are a UK student or have settled/pre-settled status (EU) and you want to study part-time then you can apply directly via our online application form.

If you are from outside the UK, you can apply via UCAS, directly via our online application form or via one of our in-country representatives. If you require a student visa, you cannot study part-time at undergraduate level.