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PGCE Primary Education (QTS)

Develop subject knowledge, practical teaching strategies, and make a positive impact on young lives. Gain extensive school experience in London and prepare for a rewarding teaching career
Code
X100
Start
September 2024
Duration
1 year full-time
Attendance
Full-time
Fees
£9,250 (UK) *
£12,600 (INT) *
Course leader
Dr Anne Mulligan

Why choose PGCE Primary Education (QTS) at Middlesex?

Teaching in a primary school is one of the most rewarding careers you can have. You will be working with a team of teachers and other adults to support children (aged 5 to 11) to succeed inside and outside the classroom.

During this one-year full-time course, we emphasise the importance of developing strong subject knowledge and understanding of theory and pedagogy. You will gain a thorough understanding of the education system and practical teaching strategies as well as then have the opportunity to apply them. You will be introduced to further issues and strategies each week, which you will be able to investigate and apply in a practical setting before reflecting on the entire experience.

The course has been designed to include 120 days of school experience across the training year. We have excellent relationships with schools across London and the surrounding area. The nature of the course allows you to return to university to reflect on your practical application.

You will also benefit from the guidance of expert tutors who bring a wealth of professional experience to their teaching, and who are widely published across disciplines such as multilingualism, diversity and childhood development.

Our ambitious Primary PGCE curriculum has fully embedded the Core Content Framework for Initial Teacher Training. You will have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills required to fully meet the Teachers' Standards by the end of your training programme.

The teaching quality and individual support for students on the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programmes at Middlesex consistently produce the highest outcomes and very high employment rates of our trainees who typically gain their first teaching appointments during the courses.

Accreditations

Successful completion of this course leads to Qualified Teacher Status, allowing you to work in any state school in England. This means the course is professionally recognised for being of the highest quality, focused on developing the knowledge and skills that schools require.

This degree is accredited by the Teaching Regulation Agency, Department for Education.

What you will gain

Diverse teaching placements will help you to understand, critically evaluate and respond to the needs of children in multicultural, multilingual and multi-faith settings and schools in an international, urban environment.

We have excellent relationships with schools in north London, Essex and Hertfordshire. Many of our graduates start their first teaching post at the school where they completed a placement during the course. Our course gives you Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

You also will stay in contact with your tutors, allowing continual mentoring and mutual knowledge exchange.

3 great reasons to pick this course

  • Excellent reputation
    Top 2 university in the UK – Times Higher Education,  Young Universities, 2022
  • Job satisfaction
    Working as a primary school teacher is a rewarding and challenging career and you can make a real difference to young children’s development and life chances
  • Strong links with schools
    We are partnered with many primary schools that contribute to the development of our courses, provide school placements and frequently employ our graduates

Find out more

Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.

The course is designed to include 120 days of school-based training. The rest of the course (60 days) is university-based.

The school-based component will provide you with opportunities to teach across the 5-11 age range. Initially, you will assist the class teachers before taking responsibility for the classes for a substantial period in the spring and summer terms. You will be placed in our partnership schools where teachers have been trained to act as mentors to support and assess you.

Modules

  • Modules

    • Learning and Teaching : a broad and balanced curriculum (30 Credits)- Compulsory

      This module will enable you to develop your knowledge and understanding of how children learn and progression in learning, and will develop the pedagogic knowledge, understanding and skills needed to teach Key Stages One and Two of the primary school. Through this module, you will develop your knowledge and understanding of English, Mathematics, Science, Computing, Religious Education (RE), Physical Education (PE) and Modern Foreign Languages within the primary school curriculum. The focus for the written assignment for this module is the role of talk in learning and teaching.

    • Primary Professional Development One (School-based) (30 Credits)- Compulsory

      The purpose of this module is to prepare you for School Based Training 1 and to provide the basis for planning and teaching during your first placement. During School Based Training 1 you are placed in a partnership school in either Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2. Initially, you will observe good practice and work alongside class teachers, and as the placement progresses you are supported to take on increasing responsibility for whole class teaching.

    • Across the curriculum, beyond the classroom (30 Credits)- Compulsory

      To develop well-informed thinking on teacher identity and empowering pedagogies, and to understand how making meaningful connections and interrelationships across the curriculum can enrich and enhance learning and teaching within and across all subjects.

      To critically engage with inclusive practice, utilising a range of teaching and learning approaches, activities and resources that engage all children actively in learning both within and outside the classroom.

      To critically reflect on cultural responsivity and the power of learning beyond the classroom, and to understand that all children must have access to a range of cultural and environmental experiences as an part of their learning and personal development.  Consider how all these aspects contribute to being an effective, influential teacher and learner.

    • Primary Professional Development Two (School-based) (30 Credits)- Compulsory

      The purpose of this module is to enable you to prepare for School Based Training 2 and to provide the basis for planning and teaching during your final placement. During School Based Training 2 you are placed in a partnership school in a contrasting setting and in a different Key Stage you experienced in School Based Training 1. During School Based Training 2 you will be expected to take on substantial responsibility for whole class teaching.

To find out more about this course, please download the PGCE Primary Education (QTS) specification (PDF).

How we will teach you

The course is delivered by our experienced academics and industry partners in person and online.

The programme is designed to provide 120 days in schools with two school experiences. Each placement provides a sustained teaching experience over the complete teaching week. You might also have the opportunity to undertake an optional enrichment placement in a SEN/D school.

The remaining 60 days of the course are university-based. The course will comprise a range of presentations, discussions and practical workshops where exemplar material can be selected from a specialised subject context.

Other university learning activities include lectures, webinars, one-to-one tutorials and group projects.

Where will you study?

You will be based at our north London campus in Hendon and your school-based placement.

Timetable

Your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with life commitments and independent study.

We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.

Teaching vs independent study

In a typical year, you’ll spend about 1200 hours on your course.

Outside of these hours, you will be expected to do independent study where you read, listen and reflect on other learning activities. This can include preparation for future classes at university in addition to preparation for your teaching responsibilities whilst on school placement.

Academic support

We have a strong support network online and on campus to help you develop your academic skills. We offer one-to-one and group sessions to develop your learning skills together with academic support from our library, IT teams and learning experts.

Coursework and assessments

All university-based modules are assessed by coursework. School-based modules are assessed against the standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Each module is assessed on a pass/fail basis. All modules are compulsory and must be passed. You do not have an automatic right to reassessment for the school-based modules.

The two school experiences assess your ability to demonstrate you are able to apply the knowledge, understanding and skills of the ITE curriculum to your teaching practice, and fully meet the Teachers' Standards by the end of your training programme.

Feedback

You'll evaluate your work, skills and knowledge and identify areas for improvement. Sometimes you'll work in groups and assess each other's progress.

Each term, you'll get regular feedback on your learning.

How can the PGCE Primary Education (QTS) support your career?

Our university's postgraduate courses have been recognised for their ability to support your career.

Employment rates are extremely high. Typically over 95% of our PGCE graduates are in employment or further study six months after graduation. (Graduate Outcomes 2022).

Career paths

After completing this course, you'll be able to apply for a position as an early career teacher (ECT) in a primary school setting.

As a newly qualified teacher, your salary will be between £25,714 and £32,157, depending on where you teach.

Teachers can find career progression in both the classroom and the school's management structure. You might aspire to become the head of a department, age group or curriculum. By developing your leadership skills and experience, you could progress to a senior management position, such as deputy head or head teacher.

For more information on salary and career progression, visit the Department for Education's website

MDXworks

MDXworks, our employability service, will help you make the most of your experience and connections to achieve your career goals. You'll have unlimited access to one-to-one advice and support from specialists in your sector plus 24/7 online support. You can also make the most of events and networking opportunities, on and off campus.

Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has been recognised with the following awards:

  • The top 20 UK universities for business leaders and entrepreneurs – Business Money, 2023 
  • A top 10 university for producing CEOs – Novuana, 2023.

Global alumni network

Our London location helps us connect with over 1,000 industry partners to develop our students’ future employment prospects.

And we have unique work and study opportunities at our campuses in Dubai and Mauritius.

At Middlesex, you’ll study with students from 122 countries who’ll hopefully become part of your global network.  After you graduate, we'll support you through our alumni network to help you progress in your chosen career.

The Sheppard Library

Our library is open 24 hours a day during the term and includes:

  • Over 1,000 study areas with rooms for group study and over 600 computer spaces
  • 350,000 books and e-books and more than 24,000 online journals
  • Free laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing and a free electronic textbook with every module.

Student support

We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health and disability support.

Additional needs

We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.

Wellness

Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.

Work while you study

Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.

Financial support

You can apply for scholarships and bursaries and our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.

We have also reduced the costs of studying with free laptop loans, free learning resources and discounts to save money on everyday things. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.

  1. UK entry
  2. International entry
  3. How to apply

The fees below refer to the 2024/25 academic year unless otherwise stated.

UK students*

Full-time students: £9,250

*Course fees are subject to annual inflation.

For more information and to answer your frequently asked questions, please visit our postgraduate funding page.

Loans and Bursaries

UK students can apply for a tuition fee loan which covers your fees and is only repayable after your graduate. In addition, UK students may be eligible for additional grants and loans including those from:

  • The Department for Education - on the Department for Education website you will find a full list of designated ITT subjects and funding offers.

The fees below refer to the 2024/25 academic year unless otherwise stated.

International students*

Full-time students: £12,600

*Course fees are subject to annual inflation.

For more information and to answer your frequently asked questions, please visit our postgraduate funding page.

Additional costs

We cover your costs for the day-to-day things that you need to do well in your studies.

  • Free – laptop loans, e-books, Wi-Fi and printing
  • Free specialist software for your course
  • Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.

Financial support

We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.

Loans and bursaries

UK students can apply for a tuition fee loan which covers your fees and is only repayable after your graduate. In addition, UK students may be eligible for additional grants and loans including those from:

  • The Department for Education - on the Department for Education website you will find a full list of designated ITT subjects and funding offers.

Postgraduate scholarships

You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:

  • The Alumni Postgraduate Award – for all UK/EU Middlesex alumni a 20% fee reduction
  • The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
  • The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
  • The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
  • Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees

For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.

Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.

Work while you study

If you are not currently working, we can help you find work that fits around your studies and other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above.

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

Successful completion of this course leads to Qualified Teacher Status, allowing you to work in any state school in England. This means the course is professionally recognised for being of the highest quality, focused on developing the knowledge and skills that schools require.

This degree is accredited by the Teaching Regulation Agency, Department for Education.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

Other courses

PGCE English (QTS)

Start: September 2024

Duration: 1 year full-time

Code: Q3X1

PGCE Mathematics (QTS)

Start: September 2024

Duration: 1 year full-time

Code: G1X1

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