PGCE

Primary (3-11)

Key Facts

Course Code 3DHM

  • Qualification

    PGCE

  • Course duration

    1 year

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The Primary PGCE course aims to give student teachers the professional skills needed to become successful teachers who can engage all learners and lead learning across the primary age range. You will gain an understanding of children’s development and learning across the Foundation and upper primary age range. Working across all Areas of Learning and Experience, you will work with skilled and experienced practitioners and will be trained to teach ambitious and capable learners who are informed and confident about the world beyond school. This is an innovative course, which will give you an enriched understanding of the progression of pupils into the next phases of their education through focused experiences in other phases of schooling. 

Subject to reaccreditation.

Typical Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements UK Bachelors (Honours) degree, or international equivalent, in any subject area.

English Language Requirements IELTS 7.0 with minimum 6.0 in each component, or equivalent

Other Requirements GCSE Grade C in either English Language or Welsh Language (First Language). Grade C in GCSE Mathematics or Mathematics-Numeracy and Grade C in GCSE Science is also required. Other qualifications that demonstrate achievement at the same level are also acceptable. Please contact the PGCE Admissions staff for further details: ellstaff@aber.ac.uk. Previous experience or observation in a school setting is an advantage. Please note that all applicants will be interviewed as part of the selection process.

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Fees and Finance

Tuition fees: Tuition fees for PGCE courses are regulated by Welsh Government and are set in line with undergraduate tuition fees.  

Financial support: Welsh Government offers incentives for students training to teach certain priority subjects. In addition, Student Finance Wales offers help with the cost of your teacher education if you’re studying one of our full-time PGCE programmes. 

About this course

This pioneering, integrated programme responds to the needs of teacher education in the 21st century, and trains student teachers who can teach across both the primary and secondary sectors. This emphasis on cross-phase teaching is in keeping with Welsh Government’s National Mission and the Curriculum for Wales, as well as with the increasing emergence of All-Through schools. The PGCE is a full-time academic and professional programme, broadly comprising university-based provision of approximately 12 weeks, and at least 24 weeks based in school. 

Together with your fellow students on the primary and other secondary programmes, you will study the principles of effective pedagogy, assessment, lesson and curriculum planning. You will participate actively in learning, contributing to seminars, delivering presentations and engaging critically with research. During the University sessions, you will plan and deliver micro-lessons in preparation for the practical element of the course. You will study the full range of the primary curriculum with an opportunity to focus on specialist areas and phases in either the Foundation Phase or Upper Primary.  

You will be supported in developing your knowledge of those areas outside your degree studies. There will be a focus on the development of learners’ literacy, numeracy and digital competence. Placements will occur in selected Partnership Cluster Hubs where schools will have close links with the University and where trained mentors will be guiding and supporting your development. On placement, you will work closely with your subject mentor and the University Link Tutor to develop your practical skills in teaching.  

In addition to specialist placements in primary schools, you will experience a short placement in a secondary school working to develop your understanding of the continuum of children’s learning. You will also undertake an action research project to develop an aspect of your practice and begin your career as a research-informed teacher. 

Modules September start - 2024

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Effective Pedagogy ED31630 30
Evaluating Learning and Skills EDM1430 30
PGCE Teacher Practice EDM5000
Pedagogy and Curriculum Knowledge ED31530 30
Professional Studies EDM1330 30

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

Completing a PGCE is one route to becoming a fully qualified teacher. This form of teacher training is recommended for anyone with an undergraduate degree who is looking to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).  

You need QTS to teach in a state-maintained or special schools in England and Wales. While other routes to gain QTS exist, they do not all come with the postgraduate qualification of a PGCE. A PGCE from Aberystwyth University is a valued qualification regionally, nationally, and internationally.  

When you study a PGCE with us, we help you prepare for a successful career in education. You will be given clear direction, advice and support when making applications for teaching posts and our employment rates are consistently high.  

Careers support  

Our Careers Service offers all graduates a lifelong service where our dedicated team of Careers consultants can continue to support you wherever you may be after you’ve finished your studies at Aberystwyth.  

Teaching & Learning

The PGCE in Primary offers 60 credits at Masters level and 60 credits at Graduate level.  

The course traditionally runs from September to the end of June. Trainee teachers will be based in schools for 26 weeks. Guided by University tutors and trained school mentors this will involve classroom teaching and different school-based activities. During the eight university block weeks you attend the taught element of your course at the University. The University arranges all the school placements. During your school placement you will get the chance to teach, plan your lessons, and in some cases take part in the pastoral care element of being a teacher, amongst other duties. Most of our students tell us they truly enjoyed the experience and were completely accepted as part of the school environment. 

Assessment on the course takes a range of forms including essays, reflective writing, presentations, lesson plans and action research project. There are no formal examinations. Assessment of practice takes place throughout all three placements on a continuous basis.