Our Primary PGCE prepares you to teach and inspire children aged 3–7. Guided by Warwick Teacher Values - social justice, intellectual curiosity and creativity - you’ll learn how to support diverse learners, including pupils with SEND and EAL. Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2024, our course combines academic study with extensive school experience to help you develop the skills and knowledge to build a successful primary teaching career.
A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is usually a one-year teacher training course. It offers a mixture of academic and practical learning, and it's the first step for graduates in the development of a teaching career. At Warwick, our PGCE courses provide a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS – a requirement to teach in the state school system as an Early Career Teacher).
Throughout the year, both the University-led and Partner-led routes are taught together. From September until the end of May, you will generally spend one day a week at the University. During the final few weeks of the course, you will experience five days a week in school.
There are regular personal tutorials with your university personal tutor throughout the year, as well as weekly mentor meetings in school and school visits from your moderation tutor. A minimum of 120 days are spent on school placement and a short primary school placement is undertaken during the year.
University-led
On the University-led PGCE programme you will undertake two main school placements organised by the University, one for one term and one for two terms.
You will also have further days in school as part of our Intensive Training and Practice programme focussing on key pedagogies including behaviour, planning, literacy and inclusion. The rest of the programme will consist of sessions taught by University of Warwick as well as independent study.
If you feel passionate about teaching and would like a programme offering placements in a range of schools, this may be the best option for you. We will provide you with a good grounding upon which you will be building your professional skills and understanding in schools. A limited number of optional three-day placements in a special school are also available to students on the University-led route.
Lead Partner route
Partner-led trainees have placements in two schools organised by the Partner school. Two terms are based at the host school and half a term at an alternative setting where the complementary placement takes place.
You will also have further days in school as part of our Intensive Training and Practice programme focussing on key pedagogies including behaviour, planning, literacy and inclusion. The rest of the programme will consist of sessions taught by University of Warwick as well as independent study.
If you would rather be immersed in the classroom environment and school culture and apply directly to one of our lead partners, consider the Partner-led route where you will spend the majority of the year based in a single school. There are three Lead Partner Routes available, Partner-Led-Training, Partner-Led-Training (Digital) and School Direct Salaried. On all partner-led routes you’ll complete a complementary placement.
You may be eligible for funding through tuition fee loans and bursaries or scholarships. School Direct salaried provides an employment-based option and is ideal for graduates with extensive work experience, who have worked in a school or similar setting for some time. You won’t be eligible for any bursaries or scholarships but you will receive a salary while you train. School Direct Salaried trainees are usually contracted to the end of the school year.
Modules
Develop the practical teaching expertise and professional understanding to become a highly effective primary teacher.
PGCE qualification: our one-year teacher training course mixes academic and practical learning
Core teaching practice: three modules exploring behaviour management, assessment and creating an inclusive classroom
Curriculum knowledge: develop subject knowledge needed across the National Curriculum
Inclusive education: build your confidence in supporting disadvantaged pupils, and those with SEND and EAL
Professional development: combine academic learning with practical school experience leading to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) – a requirement for state schools
Note that information found by following the links to the module catalogue is subject to change for future years of study, as we evolve our courses in response to the latest developments in academia and industry.
Optional modules
There are no optional modules for this course.
Teaching and learning
You’ll combine university study with extensive school placements and personalised support.
Expert teaching and mentoring: all the Primary and Early Years tutors are experienced teachers, while we also collaborate with expert school partners
University-led option: at least 120 days with Early Years and Key Stage 1 placements, plus university teaching and our Intensive Training and Practice programme
Lead partner option: at least 120 days in school, plus our Intensive Training and Practice programme and independent study
Values-led learning: develop through the Warwick Teacher Values of social justice, intellectual curiosity and creativity
Enrichment Opportunities: cross-phase conferences, offering further professional development in key areas of education
Over 75 years’ experience: in expert academic guidance
Class sizes vary depending on the nature of the session: students will experience a variety of 1:1 tutorials, small group sessions in personal tutor groups, Primary/Early Years lectures, workshops in subject groups and whole cohort events/conferences
You will have a minimum of 120 days in school which run alongside a carefully sequenced programme of taught sessions throughout the course of the year appropriate for your point of development. You will also have 20 days of explicit Intensive Training and Practice to enable you to develop, hone and refine key areas of your classroom practice.
You will be assessed through written Master’s level assignments, which are aimed at assessing your professional and subject-specific learning. You’ll also be assessed on whether you meet the Teachers' StandardsLink opens in a new windowat a level appropriate for an Early Career Teacher.
The current assessment methods consist of the following, however, CTE reserves the right to change these as appropriate in line with the requirements of regulatory authorities such as Ofsted and the DfE.
Professional Enquiry (Master's level)
Coursework focusing on a key issue and combining theory with your practice in schools. 1 x 4,000 word written assignment
Subject Studies (Master's level)
Coursework focusing on the role of the adult in supporting children's language development across the curriculum. 1x 2,500 word written assignment 1x 10 minute presentation
Professional Practice (Master's level)
Assessment against the Teachers’ Standards (Regular observations/meetings/coaching conversations with school-based and university lead mentors; Tutorials; and Professional Digital Portfolio) 1 x 2,000 word written reflective piece 1 x 30 minute viva (professional dialogue)
Entry requirements
UK Bachelors degree with Honours at 2:2 or above, or equivalent level.
At least Grade C or the new Grade 4 in GCSE English, Mathematics and Science.*
We are able to accept approved 3rd party equivalency tests in place of GCSEs. The current providers that have been approved are as follows, with details of the current discounts that are available. If you are intending to use another equivalency testing company, we recommend you contact our admissions team prior to doing so to ensure that they meet the entry criteria.
Rolling programme of live online subject specific support sessions.
An extensive range of free support material Practice papers and marking schemes Discounted from £165* to £139 (saving £26). Please contact cte.admissions@warwick.ac.uk for the discount code.
If you are intending to use another equivalency testing company, we recommend you contact our admissions team prior to doing so to ensure that they meet the entry criteria.
IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.
Please adjust your country as required:
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications. For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page.
We typically ask for one academic reference for taught courses.
You will be asked to include an email address for your referee(s) when submitting your application and we will contact them for you.
If you graduated in the last two years, you’ll need to provide an academic reference. Please refer to your DfE portal for more information.
You will need original copies of all your qualifications. If you don’t have these any more, you can obtain a Certified Statement of Results instead, but these can take some time to retrieve from exam boards and you may need to pay a fee.
Classroom Experience
Although it is not a requirement for entry, we strongly recommend that you have some experience in the classroom within mainstream UK schools/Early Years settings (Early Years, Key Stage 1 and 2) before applying. This experience will give you a flavour for your potential future career and will help you write your application. Find out how to gain school experience.
Safeguarding checks
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff, enrolled trainees and offer holders to share this commitment. The successful completion of an enhanced DBS check to confirm your suitability for the profession is a condition of any offer to study within CTE. Disclosure does not automatically make you ineligible to enrol onto a PGCE course, each application will be considered on a case by case basis, we recommend you use the DBS guidelines for applicants with previous convictions.
*The new grading system for those receiving their results for GCSE English, Mathematics and English was adopted in 2017. The grading system is now 9-1, with Grade 9 awarded to those students in the very top tier. Grade 4 is considered equivalent to the old Grade C.
**Special offer for University of Warwick students. Maths exams are available in Foundation or Higher. English, Science and Biology are untiered. If students require further support, we offer a range of low cost options.
Fees and scholarships
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 assessment and some student amenities.
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.
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 list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue, where module-related costs are detailed. 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 2026/27 year of study).
Information about module 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
Dissertations and Assignments are only submitted digitally. However, students may wish to print and bind their dissertation for their own purposes. Students on some courses will have a final poster presentation as part of their project and the printing of posters may be at the students’ expense.
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
Join a community committed to helping you grow with confidence, and making a life-changing difference to children. Rooted in our long tradition of Teacher Education, our programmes combine social justice, curiosity and creativity. Whether you’re new to teaching or advancing in your career, your study will be shaped around the areas that matter most to you.
Gain the best start for your career with our Initial Teacher Training courses, including our PGCE with QTS programmes rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Our International PGCE with International Qualified Teacher Status (iQTS) is a grade 1 programme rated by PENTA on behalf of DfE. Or, if you’re an experienced teacher with a passion for research-led practice, we also offer a PG Cert and MA.
As a CTE student, you’ll benefit from courses designed for a diverse community of learners, including face-to-face and online students. PGCE students develop their practice through strong partnerships with schools, where real-world experience is complemented by high-quality mentoring. If you study on campus, Warwick’s Westwood Campus offers authentic learning and teaching spaces, with all the facilities of the main campus just a short walk away - including the Library and collaborative study environments. Meanwhile, online learners are supported through dedicated digital resources, expert guidance and a strong virtual learning community.
In the Centre for Teacher Education, our values-based approach to developing Early Career Teachers derives from our commitment to developing teachers who are just, curious, and creative and who contribute positively to every child’s educational outcome (including SEND and EAL pupils), and to tackling social deprivation.
At Warwick, we’ll help you find your own path to success. We understand that teaching is more than just a job. We also know that you are more than just another applicant. That’s why our approach is tailored around your needs. We’re focused on getting you prepared to enter the classroom, and ready for all the challenges that teaching throws at you. We won’t drop you in at the deep end, but we will help you become accustomed to different school environments.
We have a long history of providing students with the best access to the contacts, resources and facilities needed to fulfil teaching promise. You’ll also benefit from our research-informed teaching, delivered at an acclaimed university with a reputation for excellence. That teaching will come from people who truly understand about the journey that you’re taking.
There’s lots to take in when you think about becoming a teacher. That’s why we ensure that support is available whenever you need it. As well as having a personal tutor, that will support you throughout the time you’re at Warwick, you can rely upon the friendship and guidance from your fellow trainees. We also have online resources dedicated to giving you the help and support you need.
So, choose Warwick and give yourself the ideal start for that journey. Be somewhere which believes your teaching career can be as long, rewarding and enjoyable as you want it to be. Be somewhere that trusts you to follow a more personalised teaching path, but will be there for you wherever that path takes you.
Careers
Career progression may be through a specialist curriculum or pastoral role, or by moving into management. Teachers may become heads of Key Stages or coordinators of a cross-curricular area, such as special needs or careers education, as well as subject or professional mentors for trainee teachers on placement.
Warwick’s relationship with you continues beyond the PGCE, with many graduates going on to become leaders in education. Many alumni become senior leaders and mentors in schools, maintaining ties with Warwick. Join us to make a meaningful impact as a teacher.
Upon completing this course you'll be recommended for qualified teacher status (QTS) and gain 90 credits at Master's level. This allows you to fast-track to stage two of our Master's degree, quickly progressing your professional development.
"At University of Warwick, trainees receive the best possible start to their teaching careers, emerging as confident, highly skilled professionals ready to inspire the next generation."
"Warwick trainees are renowned for their preparedness, resilience, and innovation, making them highly sought-after educators across the UK and beyond."
Tags: Question and Answer, Alumni profile, Postgraduate, Teaching, PG Course Page, Centre for Teaching Education
Life at Warwick
This is where your journey begins. Our campus is the heart of it all. It’s more than just a campus - it's the places you visit, the people you meet, the fun that you have; the experiences you have here will be transformative.
Within a close-knit community of staff and students from all over the world, discover a campus alive with possibilities.
Our campus is where all the elements of your student experience come together in one place. You won't be short of ways to spend your time on campus - whether it's visiting Warwick Arts Centre, using our incredible sports facilities, socialising in our bars, nightclub and cafés, or enjoying an open-air event. Or if you need some peace and quiet, you can explore lakes, woodland and green spaces just a few minutes’ walk from central campus.
Follow our students around campus on our social channels to see their experiences first-hand.
Teaching facilities
Our campus is designed to cater for all of your learning needs. You will benefit from a variety of flexible, well-equipped study spaces and teaching facilities across the University.
Oculus, our outstanding learning hub, houses state-of-the-art lecture theatres and innovative social learning and network areas
Different study spaces offering you flexible individual and group study spaces, computers, printing and scanning facilities, multimedia resources and more
Supporting you
Our continuous support network is here to help you adjust to student life and to ensure you can easily access advice on many different issues. These may include managing your finances and workload, and settling into shared accommodation. We also have specialist disability and mental health support teams.
Whether you live on campus or off campus, in private accommodation in the well-serviced local area, you’ll be part of a community to get the most from your experience at Warwick.
Societies and sports play a huge part in community life at Warwick. With over 300 to choose from, getting involved is one of the easiest ways to make friends and share in experiences. Whether you’re into films, martial arts, astronomy, gaming or musical theatre, you can instantly connect with people with similar interests.
Your university experience is defined by far more than your course or the career path you follow. At Warwick, it’s where you discover who you could become.
68th
Warwick is ranked 68th in the world and top 10 in all major UK league tables
Our alumni community still call Warwick home. From a few hundred in 1965 to more than 310,000 alumni, and it's ever-growing.
As Warwick graduates, our students have access to employability support for two years after graduation, including access to careers appointments, job vacancies and professional networks.
Applications for courses starting in September and October 2027 are now open.
The on-time deadline for taught postgraduate courses starting in September/October 2027 is 2 August 2027.
We will still accept late applications, however cannot guarantee that the application will be processed in time to complete the admissions process if received in September or there are a number of conditions to meet.
If applying late please include your degree certificates and transcripts, English proficiency evidence (if needed) and ensure referees can submit references promptly to allow time for CAS and visa processing (if applicable).
This information is applicable for 2027 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 web page 'Important information to consider before making an application' in advance of applying to Warwick.
Next steps
Explore your future university further at an upcoming event, online or in-person. Can't join? Receive regular email updates or ask current students and staff questions about life at Warwick.
