PGCE Primary
Postgraduate Certificate in Education Primary Level (3-11 years)
PGCE Course Overview
The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), one-year, full-time, Primary course is offered in partnership with nursery, infant, junior, primary, first and middle schools in Norfolk and Suffolk. The course is assessed against M Level criteria - leading to Qualified Teacher Status and 60 credits at Masters Level.
The programme prepares students to teach in the age bands 3-9 or 5-11 years. Students follow programmes in teaching core and non-core subjects, relevant to their age ranges.
Applicants will be required to indicate the preferred stage they will be applying to study within the overall programme. The following options are available:
GTTR Code: X110
This programme prepares the student to be a general class teacher in the age range 3 to 9 years, with a specialism in the Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception) and Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2).
GTTR Code: X100
This programme prepares the student to be a general class teacher in the age range 5 to 11 years, with a specialism in Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) and Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4).
GTTR Code: X171
This programme prepares the student to be a general class teacher in the age range 5 to 11 years, with a specialism in Key Stage 2 (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6).
General Class Teacher with Primary Modern Languages
There are three programmes preparing the student to be a general class teacher in the age range 5 to 11 years with a specialism in the teaching of Primary Modern Languages in Key Stage 2:
GTTR Code: XR11
Primary Modern Language (French)
This programme prepares the student to be a general class teacher in the age range 5 to 11 years, with a specialist interest in developing expertise in teaching children at Key Stage 2 (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6) including French language teaching.
GTTR Code: XR21
Primary Modern Language (German)
This programme prepares the student to be a general class teacher in the age range 5 to 11 years, with a specialist interest in developing expertise in teaching children at Key Stage 2 (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6) including German language teaching.
GTTR Code: XR41
Primary Modern Language (Spanish)
This programme prepares the student to be a general class teacher in the age range 5 to 11 years, with a specialist interest in developing expertise in teaching children at Key Stage 2 (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6) including Spanish language teaching.
Programme Structure
The programme runs for 38 weeks and includes at least 120 days work based in schools, spread across all three terms with final teaching placements in the spring and summer terms. Teaching placements are available in schools across the whole of the Norfolk and Suffolk counties. Placements are usually near, or within reasonable distance of, your home.
University-based sessions will be held in Norwich, a location which is widely regarded as one of the most attractive and friendly cities in Britain. The campus at the University of East Anglia is set in extensive parkland and the distinctive architecture is nationally acclaimed. For the sixth year running UEA has been ranked in the top 5 for student satisfaction among mainstream English universities.
Teaching based at the university employs a range of teaching methods and group sizes, including lectures, seminars and practical workshops.
Student Endorsements
Who better to endorse the quality and positive experience of our course than our past students. Here are five of our recent trainee graduates:
Lorraine Buck (Key Stage 2 with Key Stage 1)
Alec Burrows (Key Stage 1 with Lower Key Stage 2)
Abi Fisher (Key Stage 2 with Spanish Language)
Gemma Slaughter (Key Stage 2 with German Language)
Online Prospectus
Our PGCE Teacher Training Prospectus for September 2012 entry will provide you with further detailed information about all of our course options and programmes of study.
Please contact us if you wish to request a hard copy version either through email: edu.pgce.admiss@uea.ac.uk or telephone: (+44) (0)1603 592855.
Primary Teaching Open Events
The next UEA Primary Teaching Open Day will take place at 10:00 am on Saturday April 27th 2013 at the University of East Anglia.
In the meantime, if you have any queries, please do contact the UEA PGCE Admissions Team.
Qualifications
Candidates are required to have an appropriate good honours degree (preferably 2:ii and above) or its equivalent*.
Before making your application you must have a GCSE pass at Grade C or its equivalent* in English Language, Mathematics and in a natural Science subject (i.e. Biology, Chemistry, Physics or a combination of these) regardless of your date of birth. We would also expect to see a good standard of academic attainment at A-Level or its equivalent*.
Candidates applying for the Primary Language courses must have achieved an A-Level or gained considerable experience working with or using their chosen language. In certain circumstances we may be able to take into account any experience of living/working in a country which speaks the appropriate language. Linguistic skills will be assessed at the interview stage to ascertain suitability.
*Please note: It is at the discretion of the individual Initial Teacher Training provider as to whether an appropriate level has been satisfactorily achieved. We therefore strongly urge candidates with equivalent qualifications to check with us that these are acceptable
before making their application.
Application Procedure and Selection Process
All candidates starting the PGCE in 2013 are required to pass the professional skills tests before starting the course. More information can be found via the Teaching Agency website.
Candidates are required to apply via the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR). This is the central "clearing house" which deals with all applications for PGCE courses across the country. Application forms for 2013 entry are available from October 2012.
Candidates are required to supply an academic referee as their first reference if they have completed their studies in the last 5 years.
Primary candidates are advised by the GTTR to make their application by 1st December 2012 - however please note that we will be accepting applications (through the GTTR) after this date if we have vacancies.
There is no specified deadline for Secondary candidates. However, all candidates are advised to apply as early as possible in the application cycle.
NB: You are advised to ensure that your principal referee is available to submit their reference immediately upon request (usually electronically via GTTR). Your chosen institution will not receive your application until the principal referee has submitted their reference. Please see the GTTR Referee Guidance for information on selection.
Candidates are encouraged to prepare thoroughly. Application forms should be able to demonstrate not only your depth of subject knowledge but also your enthusiasm and commitment to a career in teaching. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our PGCE Teacher Training Prospectus and the information available from the Teaching Agency and related educational establishments. These sources will help you to gain knowledge of the current issues facing teaching, specifically in the subject area for which you are applying. During interview you will be expected to be able to answer questions about these issues, and what has prompted your desire to choose teaching as a career.
Candidates are normally chosen on the basis of their application form, references and an interview.
Gaining Experience
Candidates should also ensure that on their application form they are able to demonstrate that they have gained recent experience, with children of the relevant age range, in school.
It is important for candidates to have an understanding of and reflect on how classrooms are managed and how teaching and learning takes place within the classroom prior to interview. It is recommended that candidates gain at least 5 days' observational experience in the classroom environment. There are a number of ways in which you can achieve this:
Contact your Local School
Try contacting local schools where you live to see if you are able to arrange a time to observe some lessons. You need only to have undertaken observational experience prior to submitting your application. Please note that it is at the discretion of each school as to whether they will allow visitors into their classrooms.
University Career Schemes
Candidates who are currently studying at university may be able to participate in Teaching Schemes organised by the Careers Service. Please contact your careers adviser for further information.
Key Contacts and Useful Links
You'll undoubtedly be eager to search out further key information in order to make your application. These educational weblinks will help to get you started!
Financial Information
Tuition Fees
Fees for the PGCE programme will be £9,000 for entry in September 2012, subject to approval from OFFA.
Maintenance Grants (UK Students Only)
If you are normally resident in England you may be entitled to receive a Maintenance Grant. All candidates from the UK should contact Student Finance England or tel: 0845 300 5090 for full information on Maintenance Grants.
EU and International students are advised to contact the Teaching Agency in order to confirm what financial support may be available.
Teaching Agency Training Bursaries (for UK/EU Students only)
| UEA PGCE course | Degree classification | Bursary |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry, Maths, Modern Languages, Physics | 1st class 2:1 2:2 | £20,000 £15,000 £12,000 |
| Biology, English, Geography, History, Physical Education, Primary | 1st class 2:1 | £9,000 £4,000 |
Please contact the TA website: www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching for further details.
University Student Services
The University of East Anglia's Student Services website has been designed to provide 24 hour access to the wide range of resources, facilities and opportunities offered centrally to all students in order to help them achieve their academic and personal goals, prepare for their future and resolve any difficulties that they may encounter.
Equal Opportunities
The University of East Anglia operates an equal opportunities admissions policy. We aim to ensure that no applicant receives less favourable consideration on the grounds of gender, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin or religious belief. More on equal opportunities...
See also: UEA PGCE Equal Opportunities Document
Students with a Disability (including Dyslexia)
The University welcomes students with disabilities and is working towards the provision of an inclusive environment for all its students, staff and visitors. More on disability support...
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Check
PROTECTION OF CHILDREN: Disclosure of Criminal Background for Those with Access to Children
All applicants who have been offered a place to study the PGCE course will be required to obtain a fresh Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure.
The Enhanced Disclosure will be used to assess suitability for the PGCE course and entry to the teaching profession. The information provided may be discussed with the Children's Services Department or Education Authority with whom practical placements may be taken.
General information about this process can be obtained from the Criminal Records Bureau Website.
Further Enquiries
If you would like to discuss your application further please contact us by email: edu.pgce.admiss@uea.ac.uk, by telephone: +44 (0)1603 592855 or write to us:
PGCE Admissions
Room 0.20, School of Education and Lifelong Learning
Admissions, Recruitment & Marketing
University of East Anglia
Norwich Research Park
Norwich NR4 7TJ UK
Thank you for taking the time to view this website. We hope it has given you some idea of what we have to offer and that, if you are thinking of training to be a teacher, you will consider applying to us.
