Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with QTS in Primary (3-7 or 5-11) (2025 Entry)

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Course code

N/A*

Start date

1 September 2025

Duration

1 year full-time

Qualification

PGCE

Led by

Centre for Teacher Education (CTE)

Location

University of Warwick

Course code

N/A*

Start date

1 September 2025

Duration

1 year full-time

Qualification

PGCE

Led by

Centre for Teacher Education (CTE)

Location

University of Warwick

Meet us

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Find out more about our Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Education (PGCE) with QTS degree at Warwick

The Primary Postgraduate Certificate in Education is a high-quality, Ofsted rated outstanding programme founded on the Warwick Teacher Values of Social Justice, Intellectual Curiosity and Creativity. Warwick's Centre for Teacher Education has strong partnerships with schools across the region. With us you will become an effective and confident teacher and make a real difference to young people’s futures.

The course is fully accredited by the Department for Education, and in 2024 received an 'Outstanding' grade from Ofsted. The ambitious curriculum both encompasses and goes beyond the ITT Core Content Framework.

*For more information on how to apply please visit our Centre for Teacher Education webpagesLink opens in a new window.

Course overview

Our Primary Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with QTS focuses on the 5-11 age range and our Early Years Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with QTS focuses on the 3-7 age range. Our courses will develop you into a highly effective teacher, equipped with the values, skills, and knowledge to become a successful school leader.

On the course you will learn key pedagogic principles e.g. behaviour management, assessment for learning and how to meet the needs of all through creating an inclusive classroom. You will develop your subject knowledge whilst learning how to plan and teach across all National Curriculum subjects, and the Foundation Stage Curriculum (Early Years Programme). Enhanced training in SEND teaching and learning is a distinctive aspect of our school and professional experience.

You will have access to excellent personal, academic and pastoral support. From our partner schools, you can expect a programme of high-quality mentor support and professional training and development, which complements the University-based elements of the course, and which will support your development of classroom practice.

In partnership with regional schools, we will ensure that you have the skills and knowledge needed to forge a strong personal and professional identity, which you will continue to develop throughout your career. The Warwick Teacher Values, of Social Justice, Intellectual Curiosity and Creativity run through all our programmes.

Please visit the Centre for Teacher Education website to find out more.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent). At least Grade C or 4 in GCSE English, Mathematics and Science (or equivalent).

Apply through DfE Apply for postgraduate teacher training programmes.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

Band B
IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Additional requirements

Suitability and safeguarding checks.

Modules

Core modules

Professional Enquiry

This module is concerned with pedagogy – the method and practice of teaching. It addresses central issues such as, teaching methods, how children learn, meeting individual needs, assessment, adaptative teaching and behaviour management. The module includes input from specialist teachers and will help you develop teaching that is effective and inclusive of all learners.

Subject Studies

This module focuses on the evidence base, subject knowledge and practice of teaching all the subjects across the curriculum for your chosen age phase. Primary students are trained to teach the Core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science, as well as all of the National Curriculum foundation subjects across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Early Years trainees are trained to teach all the Early Years Foundation Stage areas of learning in addition to the Key Stage 1 National Curriculum subjects.

All trainees will also receive robust training in systematic synthetic phonics to ensure they are well equipped to teach Early Reading.

Professional Practice

This module connects the taught curriculum and school placements, focusing on how you are embedding new knowledge and robust evidence into your own teaching in a school placement.

Optional modules

There are no optional modules for this course.

Teaching and learning

Teaching

Regular tutorials and a flexible seminar programme ensure that you are treated as an individual from the outset and are supported to progress according to your ability, taking account of your professional and personal development needs. Teaching is mainly through small group workshop sessions that provide time to explore how your own teaching is informed by what you learn on the course.

Typical contact hours

A minimum of 120 days are spent in school consisting of extended placements in different age phases in a minimum of two different schools, as well as enhancement days focussing on specific themes including meeting the needs of EAL learners and designated time in an SEND setting. In addition, you will be engaging with four different opportunities for Intensive Training and Practice (ITaPs) which will build your confidence and expertise in carefully selected aspects of the planned curriculum.

University sessions are carefully sequenced and interspersed throughout the year to support your development as a teacher. A university day typically consists of 3-4 sessions a day and will predominantly consist of face to face workshops on campus so you can learn collaboratively and practically under the guidance and expertise of our highly experienced teaching team. There will be some online delivery and designated time for independent study.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a variety of different Master's level assignments, which are aimed at assessing your professional and subject specific learning and your ability to critically analyse and apply theory to classroom practice. You will also be assessed on whether you meet the Teachers’ Standards at a level appropriate for an Early Career Teacher.

Reading lists 

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platform. 

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogue.  

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to publication dates. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you when you join us.

Careers

Your career

Upon completing one of our courses, you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and will gain up to 90 credits at Master’s level. This allows you to fast-track to stage two of CTE’s Master’s degree, quickly progressing your professional development.

Career progression may be through taking responsibility for co-ordinating an area of the curriculum or leading a Key Stage, with next steps being a senior management role.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

Applications and Interviews for Teaching Jobs
Preparing for Teaching Job Interviews
Writing a Personal Statement for Teaching Jobs
Careers Drop In (for applications and interview support)

About the Department

Centre for Teacher Education (CTE)

Our vision and ambition for the Centre for Teacher Education (CTE) derives from a commitment to continue the long history of Teacher Education at the University of Warwick where generations of new teachers gain employment in our partner schools to improve the life chances of the children they teach. Our programmes are underpinned by our core values of social justice, intellectual curiosity and creativity.

Our commitment is to ensure we support and develop you as an Early Career Teacher and engage you as part of our alumni community. CTE’s Master's in Professional Education is aimed at practising teachers and school leaders and is designed to ensure the content aligns with an individual’s educational research interest. You will focus your research on an area of your own choice to ensure your studies and learning has real value and impact within your school context.

We pride ourselves on making a difference to our students. We place high-quality teaching and student support at the heart of what we do and recognise that our success is built on the strength of our partnership with our students and schools. Teaching is our top priority and our commitment to our students is paramount.

Learn more about us from our website.Link opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate Taught courses

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your taught course fees

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2024/25 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

Core text books
Printer credits
Dissertation binding
Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and funding

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

How to apply

Applications are now open for courses that start in September and October 2025.

Applications will close on 2 August 2025 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

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We understand how important it is to visit and explore your future university before you apply. That's why we have put together a range of online and in-person options to help you discover more about your course, visit campus, and get a sense of postgraduate life at Warwick. Our events offer includes:

Warwick hosted events
Postgraduate Fairs
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2024 entry

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Why Warwick

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Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

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in the Guardian University Guide 2025

6th Most Targeted University

by the UK's top 100 graduate employers (The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research Ltd)

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out of 1,500 institutions across 104 locations (QS World University Rankings 2025)

Page updates

We have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2025 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.

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Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with QTS in Primary (3-7 or 5-11) (2025 Entry)

Find out more about our Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Education (PGCE) with QTS degree at Warwick

Scholarships and financial support

Living costs

After you’ve applied

Applicant Portal

Admissions statement

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Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

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6th Most Targeted University

69th in the World

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