Primary Education (3-7 years)
PGCE (PROFGCE)

Course summary and entry requirements

Course duration
Full-time: 1 year

GTTR code X110

Professional accreditation
This course leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) which allows you to teach in England and Wales.

About the course

Our PGCE Primary programme was designated as 'outstanding' in the most recent Ofsted inspection. The course is taught at the university's School of Education, one of the UK's largest providers of teacher training with an excellent national reputation, and by tutors who are all experienced teachers.
Both our external examiners and students consistently report on the high standard of the programme and the quality of learning and teaching. Year-on-year end of course evaluations highlight that between 90-98 per cent of students appraise their course aims as exceeded or met. Graduates commented that "it was a privilege to be a part of such a vibrant and exciting university" and that "the course is incredibly organised and I have experienced some wonderful teaching. I feel very well prepared for my induction year and am so pleased that I chose to undertake this training year at the University of Brighton."
In line with government requirements, from 2013, the majority of this course is conducted in schools. You will spend 24 weeks in school-based training working with and alongside a range of partnership professionals. The university will induct you, provide you with professional, academic and pastoral support and complements, reinforces and expands the school based elements. You will develop both the theoretical knowledge and practical experience required for a successful career in teaching.
Our course team prides itself as dynamic and responsive to the ever-changing educational landscape. You will benefit from a programme that supports the development of a huge array of skills, knowledge and understanding vital to entering the teaching profession as a principled and reflective practitioner.

Typical entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2013. Individual offers may vary
GCSE (minimum grade C):
at least five subjects including English language, mathematics and science.
For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 6.5 overall and 6.0 in writing.
Other:
The Department for Education has introduced Professional Skills Tests in English and Maths for all applicants to teacher training (QTS) routes. These tests are compulsory, and it will not be possible to enter training without having successfully completed them. Candidates are able to book these tests in advance, and the Department for Education strongly advises you to take the tests soon after you have submitted an application.
The University of Brighton recognises that these tests may present a real challenge to some candidates and we recommend that you prepare carefully before attempting them, as you are limited to only three attempts per test. We recommend that postgraduate applicants have passed the tests before they come to an interview as this will give you a clear advantage. However, if you have not yet passed the tests but have a clear strategy in place, we may well be prepared to consider your capacity to pass and potentially make you an offer of a place subject to their successful completion. When we make such an offer you will be given a clear deadline, usually within 2 months of your interview, so we advise that you plan ahead and book your tests well in advance so that you can organise your preparation.
Details about the tests, including how to register and prepare for the tests, can be found here: www.education.gov.uk/schools/careers/traininganddevelopment/professional
All applicants are required to attend an interview in person either at the Falmer campus or at one of our partner schools. All offers of places are subject to a satisfactory health check and a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) enhanced disclosure check. We particularly welcome applications from minority ethnic and other groups underrepresented in the profession (including men in primary teaching).
Degree and/or experience:
a good honours degree (minimum 2:2 classification). This should be in an area that has some relevance to early years/primary school teaching, but does not need to be a national curriculum subject.
In order to ensure that your decision is informed and has been carefully considered, and to demonstrate a commitment to teaching, you must complete four weeks in a school or nursery before starting the course.
Prior to application you must have completed at least two weeks (out of the required four) in school in a primary classroom (early years or Key Stage 1). You need to demonstrate that you are familiar with the context that you intend to work in and we are looking for evidence that you have some understanding of the teaching profession. This experience needs to be recent and the majority should be within the last two years.
You may have previous experience of working with children in a non-school based context, or work and life experiences that have helped you to develop a good understanding of the needs of young children and how they learn (including specific groups such as pupils with special education needs or English as an additional language). Similarly you may have other professional or vocational qualifications that make you suitable for teaching. We are keen to hear about this experience and how it could benefit you in your studies and in your role as a primary school teacher.
Course content

Course structure

This is an intensive year, with two-thirds of the course based in partnership schools and settings. Your training is a shared activity between the university and the schools. You will secure 120 credits in university and school based training by a coherent and invigorating programme that attends to learning and development issues appropriate to pupils aged 3-7 years. Inherent to this programme are the government national priorities and you are supported to address these issues to a very high standard.
Underpinning effective strategies in teaching and learning across and beyond subject areas is our commitment to inclusive practice and working with children from diverse backgrounds. The university based training comprises lectures, seminars and self-directed study. Your learning will supported by a talented and well-qualified tutor team committed to outstanding practice. All module sessions are devised to engage students where you will work individually and as part of small and larger groups. University lecturers, practising teachers and your student colleagues will all be contributing to your learning. We believe in nurturing and facilitating your opportunities to discuss and critically analyse effective pedagogy though small, interactive seminar groups. This is one aspect of our commitment to student-centred practice.
The school based training takes place across our partnership schools in four counties. This is often conducted in pairs and small groups and will include a breadth of professional experiences and opportunities working alongside experienced teachers and other school based professionals. This will include observing practitioners, working with individual pupils and groups of pupils, team teaching and sustained independent teaching. It will entail completing specific subject tasks and developing knowledge of school policy and effective practices. You will be supported to maintain a professional training portfolio and to review your work and critically and analytically as well as to set appropriately challenging targets.

Areas of study

The design of the course is underpinned by modules that facilitate your engagement with subject curriculum areas (Key Stage 1) and the Early Years Foundation Stage areas of learning as well as the skills and dispositions that encourage a confident, meaningful and creative interpretation of the curriculum.
You will study modules centred on learning and teaching across the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 within a holistic framework of child development. On this course you will gain a thorough knowledge and understanding of a range of teaching, learning and assessment strategies, and learn how to use and adapt them to meet the varying needs of the youngest learners. Underpinning this is a programme designed to develop skills necessary for the role of the reflective and critical teacher.

You will engage in a professional enquiry and this includes study at masters level. This could entail a focus on the distinct nature of teaching within this age phase through pertinent themes such as transition, partnership with families and parents and leadership. You will also learn about the role of play, the environment, the role of the Early Years practitioner and value of talk and sustained shared thinking as integral to all modules.
All students are enrolled onto the Postgraduate Certificate in Education but an alternative exit award, the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education, which also includes QTS, is available for students who do not achieve the masters-level elements of the postgraduate programme.
Fees and costs

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or criminal record checks, field trips or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply please check with the school that provides your course using the contact details on the left of this page for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

Our website www.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

PGCE (PROFGCE) Primary Education (3-7 years)

Please contact us directly for exact tuition fees for this course.
Location

Location Falmer

Our Falmer campus is located on the edge of the South Downs National Park on the outskirts of Brighton. Approximately 7,000 students are based here.
View campus maps and directions
Living in Brighton
Brighton’s rich mix of historic architecture, lively arts scene, varied shopping and cosmopolitan community make it a vibrant, enjoyable place to live. It is no wonder that many Brighton graduates choose to stay here.
Social scene
Alongside the traditional seaside attractions, Brighton is famed for its exciting social scene with a wide choice of pubs, clubs and restaurants.
Arts
The highlight of the city’s cultural year is the Brighton Festival. The event is held each May and is England’s biggest arts festival, which showcases arts and performance from around the world. Brighton is also home to the UK’s oldest working cinema, the Duke of York’s, which shows alternative and mainstream films. The city is also well known for its exciting music scene and hosts The Great Escape music festival.
Sports
Whether you take your sport seriously or just want to keep fit, Brighton offers all kinds of sports opportunities and facilities, on and off campus. You can also make the most of the location, and play volleyball, basketball and windsurfing down by the beach. The seafront is also the finishing point for the famous London – Brighton bicycle ride and the quirky veteran car run.
Career opportunities

Most graduates of this course begin their careers as primary school teachers where they work to make a difference in those important years of a child's education.
As a qualified primary teacher with QTS, you can potentially work across the age phases and key stages. The majority of our new teachers work as class teachers in primary schools and then pursue other roles like mentoring or areas of responsibility through for example Early Years or Foundation Stage coordination, specific roles like special educational needs coordinator or middle and senior leadership.
Some of our new teachers opt to work in special schools and as special education needs teachers.

Visit the careers service website.
More...

Why choose the University of Brighton to complete your PGCE

This established and highly popular course prepares graduates to teach in the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 (3-7 years) with a specialist focus on the age phases of 3-5 years and 5-7 years.

You will develop the ability to evaluate critically and reflect upon the principles of teaching and learning. You will gain a thorough knowledge and understanding of a range of teaching, learning and assessment strategies, and learn how to use and adapt them to meet the varying needs of children in the 3-7 age group.

Advice to applicants

If you have completed recent work in school, it is helpful to cite your primary reference from a senior member of school staff.

The admissions team selects candidates for interview on the basis of their academic record, their referees’ reports and their personal statement.

Candidates are interviewed and observed undertaking a short presentation either by a tutor and a Head Teacher from a partnership school using a standard interview form and further well documented selection criteria. In addition, all candidates undertake a written task at interview which is used by the admissions tutor to assess the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in standard written English.

Demand for this course is high. We advise you to apply as soon as possible.

Subject specialism

Suitably qualified candidates have the opportunity to pursue a subject specialism in English, Maths, Science or Modern Foreign Languages.

If you have a passion or special interest in any of these four subjects, (including career-changers with established leadership and management skills), then the prospect of subject or curriculum leadership may be appealing. Those wishing to pursue a primary subject specialism will have to demonstrate suitability through an appropriate A-level or degree level study or component as well as through the admissions and interview process.

Specialist students will enjoy a similar core course structure and content to generalists, but with some additional opportunities devolved to the pursuit of subject specialism. Students will develop a deep understanding of the subject concepts and skills as well as an enhanced range of subject-specific pedagogy and leadership skills. These will be developed through both the university based and school-led components of the course.