What makes a Primary PGCE at UEA special?
Inspire our future generation of learners by studying a PGCE in primary education at UEA.
The course offers a supportive and innovative environment which will enable you to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and the Postgraduate Certificate in Education, with 90 Master’s credits. At UEA, you will gain experience through placements in a variety of contrasting school environments throughout the year, which will prepare you for a successful transition into teaching. The University’s dynamic partnership extends across the eastern region.
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The course
Studying a PGCE at UEA offers an exceptional learning experience that instils a deep-rooted commitment to making a difference to the lives of the children you will teach whilst training and throughout your teaching career.
You’ll be taught by research active academic staff to support the development of your understanding and insights into the teaching profession.
Primary PGCE pathways
- Primary (3-7)
- Primary (3-7 with Mathematics)
- Primary (3-7 with SEND)
- Primary (5-11)
- Primary (5-11 with Mathematics)
- Primary (5-11 with Modern Languages)
- Primary (5-11 with SEND)
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.
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Key features
The Primary PGCE 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 and organise placements for you in supportive environments, with access to expert colleagues and mentors to support you in completing your initial teacher training and gaining qualified teacher status through experiential learning.
At UEA, you will be studying a course developed with our partner, the University of Worcester, that Ofsted rated “Outstanding” in 2023.
Location of training
Most of your taught sessions will be on our UEA campus. However, there are times that you may be taught on site in one of our partnership schools or at a venue to support specific subject knowledge development.
Programme structure
Throughout your time on the course, you’ll learn to link theory and practice, inspire a love of learning and develop as a reflective classroom practitioner.
School experience is a substantial and integral part of the course, and you will have school experience visit days and block placements in terms 1, 2 and 3.
120 days will be spent in partnership schools. Further days will be spent in schools focusing on specific teaching skills.
What you'll gain
- School experience in a range of settings
- Studying areas of learning and teaching related to the Early Years Foundation Stage and Primary National Curriculum subjects.
- Tutor-led workshops, lectures, seminars, fieldwork and guest lectures, primarily to introduce underpinning knowledge, theoretical argument, practical skills, central issues, key texts and inter-professional fields of study.
- Study of key texts and supplementary reading to enable you to identify subject matter that will enhance your understanding and intellectual ability.
- Participation in high level professional discussion, peer presentations and debate, to encourage you to actively engage with and critically challenge the field.
- Directed studies and problem-solving tasks provide opportunities to develop approaches that will deepen levels of understanding and professional judgement; development of practice-based competence and skills of critical reflection through guided individual mentoring during placements.
- One to-one academic and personal tutorial support including access to our Student Support Services.
In addition, there are regular opportunities throughout the year to meet with your personal tutor, where you will have the opportunity to talk about your academic progress, school experience, support with careers and applications.
Course components
There are three integrated components to the Primary PGCE course at UEA
- The Professional Development programme
- The Curriculum programme
- School placements (120 days teaching in schools plus additional days which allow for opportunities to prepare and rehearse key teaching skills)
Our courses
UEA's Primary PGCE courses cover different age ranges and specialisms.
- Primary (3-7)
- Primary (3-7 with Mathematics)
- Primary (3-7 with SEND)
- Primary (5-11)
- Primary (5-11 with Mathematics)
- Primary (5-11 with Modern Languages)
- Primary (5-11 with SEND)
Browse our Primary PGCE courses
Ready to apply?
You can begin your application using the GOV.UK service.
Scholarships
Do you identify as from a minoritised ethnic background? Take a look at The Anne French Memorial Trust PGCE Bursary.