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PGCE - Primary Lower (3-7 years) with QTS

Would you love to ignite enthusiasm and inspire young children from the minute they step foot into the nursery or classroom? You can as a Key Stage 1 teacher.

Learn to teach children aged 3-7 Years on our respected PGCE course which fully supports you in your journey from student teacher to fully-fledged professional. And, because the programme has QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) built-in, you can apply for a position as a teacher the minute you graduate.

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OFSTED Rated 'Good' 2023:

Department for Education

Primary Lower (3-7 years) with QTS cover image

Course Overview

Grounded in the learning of our acclaimed PGCE General Primary, this Early Years pathway allows you to hone skills to teach in the Key Stage 1 setting, either in schools or nurseries. This unique course pathway gives you the opportunity to nurture children at the very start of their education journey.

You’ll learn through a blend of theory and hands-on experience, working within the National Curriculum framework. You'll explore the concepts and key themes of Primary General, confidently devising and delivering engaging lessons to children aged 3-7 years old.

Over half the course will be spent working with children on assessed placement, with school-based enrichment activities alongside your university-based study. You'll take three placements across a variety of schools and settings, building a wealth of experience to help advance your future career.

On this course you will...

Support children at the beginning of their education journey.
Benefit from high-quality support from our academics and staff on a programme designed around you.
Learn from an experienced, highly qualified programme team, working at the forefront of the academic field.
Enjoy the intimate feel of our course delivery, with small class sizes and your own personal tutor.
Utilise cutting edge research on a newly revalidated and up-to-date course.

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Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
Course LocationLancaster
London
DFE CodeX121 (Lancaster), P820 (London)
Mode of DeliveryIn-person
Course DurationFull-time: 1 Year
Course Start PointSeptember
AwardPGCE
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysLancaster
London
All

Minimum entry requirements

First degree, or equivalent with a minimum of 2:2

Honours degree

UK Tuition fees

£9,535

Entry in academic year 2025/26

£9,790

Entry in academic year 2026/27

International Tuition fees

£14,900

Entry in academic year 2025/26

£16,000

Entry in academic year 2026/27

Tuition Fees Policy

Course Structure

What you will learn

This programme is focused on the two key elements that make effective practitioners. Firstly, raising the achievement of children and secondly, high-quality teaching and learning. It is these two elements together that will empower you to aspire to become outstanding teachers.

Modules

The course is structured in such a way that it scaffolds you through your learning journey in a progressive way from induction to course completion. This is done through a combination of relevant, detailed and comprehensive contributory modules which are complemented by qualificatory modules that support the development of effective classroom practice. All modules have been developed to enable you to make strong, meaningful and effective connections between theory, research and practice.

You gain the academic PGCE qualification via successful completion of two masters level modules:

High-Quality Teaching and Learning.
Raising the Achievement of Children.

These are focussed on the theory, research and practice which must be in place in order to be the highest quality, effective practitioner.

Year one

PGCE7003 Building Professional Understanding
PGCE7004 Enhancing Professional Practice
PGPC9130 Being a Teacher
PGPC9140 Learning Teaching and Subject Knowledge
PGPC1960 Subject Knowledge and Pedagogy
PGPC9070 Cumbria Teacher of Reading
PGPC9160 Beginning Professional Practice (Placement Module)
PGPC9170 Developing Professional Practice (Placement Module)
PGPC9180 Extending Professional Practice (Placement Module)

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

Your programme will help you to build your theoretical understanding of the complexity of teaching and learning, whilst at the same time helping you to develop your practical professional skills in classroom settings. You will find a significant focus within the course that is devoted to the interplay between theory and practice; you will have the opportunity to engage with several different elements on the programme. Firstly, you will study two modules that contribute to the award of PGCE, these are rooted in an academic study of your professional practice, and both of them allow you to identify an aspect of your professional development that you would like to take further. This then forms the basis for your assessment on each module. Your PGCE modules are designed to help develop your professional practice. Subject experts teach you a range of curriculum areas as well as key professional skills and attributes such as planning, behaviour management and professionalism.

To support your professional practice and provide you with the opportunity to be recommended for the award of QTS, you will have three placements in school. These will cover two age phases and will be in at least two different settings. While on placement, you will be supported by a mentor who will work with a member of staff from the university to support your professional development.

School embedded learning also supports your ability to implement theory into practice. This is characterised by time spent in schools when you are not on placement. It provides a highly valuable opportunity to learn from experienced class teachers and practitioners, to bring ideas from your modules into school and to take examples from school back into your modules for discussion and reflection. The combination of all these elements has been proven to be a successful recipe for supporting students to gain the highest outcomes.

How you will be assessed

The PGCE is assessed through a combination of placement assessment alongside formative and summative assessments.

You will complete two summative assignments over the duration of the course. Your summative assessments will be based on topics of your choosing that will be set within a provided context. This will allow you to develop your understanding of teaching and learning and the professional application of your understanding in an area that is personally relevant to you. Formative activities are built into the assessment process. As you will be selecting a topic for each of your assessments, you will have the opportunity to share your intentions and to receive confirmation about the appropriateness of your topic before you progress further. You will also have a formative assessment on your first assignment where you will receive formative feedback but no grade. This will help you to develop your work prior to submission.

When you are on placement, you will be assessed against the Teachers’ Standards. You can expect to be involved in this process with your mentor, who will help you to set developmental targets on a weekly basis during your placements. This will help you to build your ability to self-assess and be an active agent in your professional development.

Progression

The programme also recognises that gaining a PGCE and achieving QTS is not the end of your professional learning journey. It is with this in mind that the contributory modules have been planned to allow you to undertake a seamless transition to a University of Cumbria MA in education. The learning outcomes of the modules have been mapped to the learning outcomes of the MA and the credits that you accrue on the PGCE are recognised as part of the MA.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

UK Tuition fees

£9,535
Entry in academic year 2025/26

£9,790
Entry in academic year 2026/27

International Tuition fees

£14,900
Entry in academic year 2025/26

£16,000
Entry in academic year 2026/27

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

Funding

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. You can find out more about Student Finance specifically for PGCE Students on the PGCE Finance webpages.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..

Student Finance

Additional Costs

Stationery, printing and digital storage

Approximately £30 to £40 per year

RequiredPer yearStationery

You should budget for stationery and consumables for personal use. These may include notebooks, pens and pencils, digital storage devices, printing and photocopying. The amount you spend will depend on your study preferences.

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check

£69.50 (2026/27 fee)

RequiredOne-offChecks, clearances and health requirements

An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required before you start placements. The Entry requirements section for your course shows which barred lists the check covers.

DBS checks for applicants

Books and journals

Approximately £50 to £300 over the course of your studies

OptionalThroughout the courseBooks and journals

Most core textbooks and journals are available through the University library. You may choose to purchase personal copies of books or other resources used to support your studies.

Some courses recommend particular books or provide an estimated annual budget for purchasing personal copies. Search for your course below for details.

Technology requirements

Cost depends on the equipment and internet service you choose

RequiredThroughout the courseDigital learning and IT

You will need regular access to a laptop or computer capable of accessing the internet and running software such as a word processor and Microsoft Teams. Microsoft 365 is provided as part of your studies. You will also need a reliable internet connection. The amount you spend will depend on the equipment and internet service you choose.

Information on borrowing university laptops

Travel to education placements

RequiredPer placementPlacements

You will need to pay for travel to and from your placements. Placement locations vary, and a placement arranged by the University may require additional travelling time. The amount you spend will depend on the placement location and your chosen method of transport.

You may be eligible for financial assistance towards some placement travel or subsistence costs. Any assistance available will depend on the scheme and eligibility criteria in place at the time of your placement.

Professional clothing for placement

Cost depends on what you already own

RequiredThroughout the courseClothing and uniform

Placements require sensible, professional clothing and footwear appropriate to the setting.

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Location
Lancaster Campus
Lancaster is the Red Rose heartland, a student haven full of history and culture. With iconic stone architecture, parkland, and a caring community, this is the place to get involved. The campus houses top-quality facilities tailored to the needs of life-savers, world changers, and future leaders.
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Location
London Campus
Just steps away from the iconic Canary Wharf sits the London campus. A hub of opportunity tailored to nurturing future leaders, world changers, and live-savers in the capital city. Make an impact when you study at the London campus.
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PGCE - Primary Lower (3-7 years) with QTS