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Train to become a Primary teacher at UEA
Inspire the next generation and train to become a primary school teacher with our PGCE courses in Primary Education.
Studying a PGCE at UEA offers an exceptional learning experience and helps you make a difference to the lives of the children you'll teach throughout your rewarding teaching career.
You’ll be taught by experienced academic staff, who are committed to our supportive and innovative learning environment.
Kickstart your fulfilling teaching career, alongside gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and 90 Master’s credits. At UEA, you will gain experience through placements in a variety of school environments to prepare you for teaching.
Why should I study my Primary PGCE at UEA?
Comprehensive Support: Receive exceptional support from university and school mentors, with regular one-to-one tutorials and expert tutor guidance throughout your training and early career.
Extensive Classroom Experience: Gain 120+ days of teaching in varied school environments, including inner city, rural, and coastal settings, plus opportunities for additional days to rehearse key teaching skills.
Diverse Placements: Experience placements in at least two different schools, enhancing your self-reflection, confidence, and specialisation opportunities.
Specialisation: Develop expertise in areas of learning and teaching related to the Early Years Foundation Stage and Primary National Curriculum subjects, to increase your expertise and boost your career prospects.
Academic and Professional Development: Earn 90 Master's level credits and Qualified Teacher Status. Engage in high-level professional discussions through conferences and additional courses, and learn from a mix of seminars, lectures and placements.
Community and Career Support: Benefit from a welcoming UEA community with career support, health and wellbeing services, and a beautiful campus, fostering lifelong friendships and building your professional network.
Our PGCE Primary courses
If you choose our 5-11 route, you can select a focus on lower Primary (ages 5-9) or upper primary (ages 7-11) for your school placements.
Primary PGCE course structure
There are three integrated components to the Primary PGCE course at UEA:
The Professional Development programme
The Curriculum programme
Throughout your time on the course, you’ll learn to link theory and practice to develop yourself as a reflective classroom practitioner. The course explores pedagogy, practice and wider issues of education and society, enhancing your prospects as a practitioner, and potentially a future leader, in the profession.
We have a strong partnership with our schools, offering you integral and substantial placements in supportive environments. You will spend 120 days teaching in partnership schools across the year, with further days spent in schools focusing on specific teaching skills.
You will be studying a course developed with our partner, the University of Worcester, whom Ofsted rated “Outstanding” in 2023.
"The PGCE provides a solid stepping stone to begin your journey in teaching."
(Hayden, PGCE Primary trainee)
Teacher Training Events
Attend our free events to get expert advice and information on becoming a teacher and get the chance to speak to our tutors, Admissions Team and current students.
What does Primary teacher training involve?
Read Hayden's blog to find out what it's like to study a Primary PGCE at UEA, and discover what a typical placement day involves.
"I would definitely say that what I have enjoyed the most is getting to be involved in all of the subjects."
(Hayden, PGCE Primary trainee)
Funding your Primary PGCE course
There are a range of bursaries and scholarships available to help you finance your studies, including fully-funded DfE teacher training bursaries for certain subjects, and tuition fee discounts for UEA alumni.
If you identify as being from a minoritised ethnic background, you may be eligible for The Anne French Memorial Trust PGCE Bursary.
Ready to apply?
You can begin your application using the GOV.UK service.