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The Primary Education PGCE will provide you with understanding of educational theory and of how that relates to practice, alongside an in-depth understanding, and experience of, the National Curriculum for Key Stages 1 and 2, enabling you to kick-start a rewarding career in teaching.

Your university-based training will cover aspects such as educational theory, subject knowledge, safeguarding, philosophy of education which will underpin and impact upon your practice. School-based placements form a large part of the PGCE and you will complete a series of these over the course of your training. Arranged by Northumbria University, your placements will include group and individual tasks, observation and the planning and delivery of lessons – all of which will provide you with a strong grounding in the roles and responsibilities of a teacher.

During the placements, you will be supported and mentored by experienced teachers and senior leaders. You will also be assigned to a link tutor from Northumbria, who will support both you and your school-based mentors to ensure that your school experience fully develops your skills as a teacher.

Successful completion of the PGCE Primary Education course will provide you with a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status. This allows you to immediately begin working in a school or other educational establishment.

Course Information

UCAS Code
X100

Level of Study
Postgraduate

Mode of Study
1 year Full Time

Department
Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing

Location
Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
September 2025

Fees
Fee Information

Modules
Module Information

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Entry Requirements Modules Overview Fees, Funding  and Scholarships How to Apply

Entry Requirements 2025/26

Standard Entry

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree. Applicants should have a GCSE grade 4 (grade C) or above in Mathematics, English and a Science subject prior to submitting their application.

Admission is subject to a suitable DBS Enhanced Certificate and a satisfactory health check.

For programmes which begin after April 2020, applicants are no longer required to undertake the professional skills tests in English and Maths, but there remains a requirement for trainee teachers to demonstrate competency in the use of English and Maths in a professional context.  Northumbria students will be supported in developing these skills over the course of their programme and their competency assessed before recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

If you are an applicant who has previously been enrolled on an Initial Teacher Training programme please make this clear in your application so that we are able to have a discussion with you about why you were not able to complete that programme. 

Please note: we do not accept deferred applications for this programme

International qualifications:

If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English language requirements:

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 6 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

 *The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS.  You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

For further admissions guidance and requirements, please visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/admissionsguidance Please review this information before submitting your application.

Fees and Funding 2025/26 Entry

Full UK Fee: £9,535

Full International Fee: £19,350

ADDITIONAL COSTS

Additional costs associated with travel to placement schools and travel to venues for offsite visits. We would anticipate this being in the region of £650 per student.

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

How to Apply

Please use the Apply Now button at the top of this page to submit your application.

Certain applications may need to be submitted via an external application system, such as UCAS, Lawcabs or DfE Apply.

The Apply Now button will redirect you to the relevant website if this is the case.

You can find further application advice, such as what to include in your application and what happens after you apply, on our Admissions Hub Admissions | Northumbria University



Modules Overview 2025/26

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one

Year one

TE6680 -

Curriculum, Creativity & Challenge (Core,30 Credits)

This module will help you to develop a deeper understanding of different approaches to curriculum design and delivery in school as part of the Primary Curriculum (2014). Tutors will introduce you to discrete subject teaching and more integrated approaches. You will learn about a creative curriculum, thematic planning and learning opportunities outside the classroom. You will be given guidance as you develop your subject knowledge expertise and help to define the pedagogical approaches and theory that underpins successful learning and teaching within a broad and balanced curriculum.
Much of what you learn in this module will be applied directly to planning, teaching and learning on your school based experience. You will learn about the ideas and theories of learning and personal pedagogy and how this is central to your professional practice as a teacher, making links between theory and practice by reflecting on your observations and experience in the classroom.

More information

TE6681 -

Primary Professional Practice (30 Credits)

In this module you will learn how to apply your theoretical, pedagogical and subject knowledge (introduced through the other PGCE modules) in a school based setting. In short, you will learn how to teach by working alongside experienced teachers. As you develop the knowledge and skills required to help children make progress in their learning you’ll gain first hand experience of a range of classroom environments and gain an excellent understanding of the professional role of a primary teacher. You will learn how to plan, teach, and assess across a range of subjects in the age phases you are working with and see the impact you have on children’s progress. An essential aspect of this will be the reflective approach you develop that will help you to analyse your performance and respond to feedback with the express purpose of improving children’s learning. The ability to critically reflect, analyse and evaluate your personal and professional understanding and practice will help you to set and action professional targets that will underpin your recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status.

More information

TE7057 -

Professionalism & Inclusive Practice (Core,30 Credits)

This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of a range of learning and teaching issues related to current practice in primary education. You will learn about the nature of pedagogy and how it is central to your professional practice as a teacher and be encouraged to make links between theory and practice by reflecting on your observations and experience in the classroom. Your learning will be set within the context of contemporary issues such as:
• Equality, Inclusion & Diversity in Education
• Behaviour for Learning
• Assessment: Principles & Practice
• Safeguarding
• Cultural & Political perspectives of Education
• Theoretical Principles, Learning & Children
• Professional Responsibility & Practice

More information

TE7058 -

Learning, Teaching & Assessment in Core Curriculum (Core,30 Credits)

This module will help you to develop a deeper understanding of how the core subjects of English, mathematics and science are delivered in school as part of the Primary Curriculum (2014). Tutors will introduce you to the distinct nature of each subject, provide guidance as you develop your subject knowledge expertise and help you to define the pedagogical approaches and theory that underpins successful learning and teaching in these subjects. You will learn how to use specific strategies in English and mathematics to ensure that the children you teach develop the literacy and numeracy skills to help them become confident, independent learners. You will develop a thorough understanding of how approaches to assessment are integral to this process and you will learn how to use a range of formative and summative strategies to ensure your teaching is effective and children make progress.
Much of what you learn in this module will be applied directly to your school based experience. With the guidance of your school-based mentor, you will plan, teach and evaluate sequences of lessons; putting into practice what you have learnt as part of your university based training. Seeing the impact that your teaching has on the progress of children will directly inform your thinking as you reflect on your own learning and subject knowledge development.

More information

Modules Overview 2026/27

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one

Year one

TE6680 -

Curriculum, Creativity & Challenge (Core,30 Credits)

This module will help you to develop a deeper understanding of different approaches to curriculum design and delivery in school as part of the Primary Curriculum (2014). Tutors will introduce you to discrete subject teaching and more integrated approaches. You will learn about a creative curriculum, thematic planning and learning opportunities outside the classroom. You will be given guidance as you develop your subject knowledge expertise and help to define the pedagogical approaches and theory that underpins successful learning and teaching within a broad and balanced curriculum.
Much of what you learn in this module will be applied directly to planning, teaching and learning on your school based experience. You will learn about the ideas and theories of learning and personal pedagogy and how this is central to your professional practice as a teacher, making links between theory and practice by reflecting on your observations and experience in the classroom.

More information

TE6681 -

Primary Professional Practice (30 Credits)

In this module you will learn how to apply your theoretical, pedagogical and subject knowledge (introduced through the other PGCE modules) in a school based setting. In short, you will learn how to teach by working alongside experienced teachers. As you develop the knowledge and skills required to help children make progress in their learning you’ll gain first hand experience of a range of classroom environments and gain an excellent understanding of the professional role of a primary teacher. You will learn how to plan, teach, and assess across a range of subjects in the age phases you are working with and see the impact you have on children’s progress. An essential aspect of this will be the reflective approach you develop that will help you to analyse your performance and respond to feedback with the express purpose of improving children’s learning. The ability to critically reflect, analyse and evaluate your personal and professional understanding and practice will help you to set and action professional targets that will underpin your recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status.

More information

TE7057 -

Professionalism & Inclusive Practice (Core,30 Credits)

This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of a range of learning and teaching issues related to current practice in primary education. You will learn about the nature of pedagogy and how it is central to your professional practice as a teacher and be encouraged to make links between theory and practice by reflecting on your observations and experience in the classroom. Your learning will be set within the context of contemporary issues such as:
• Equality, Inclusion & Diversity in Education
• Behaviour for Learning
• Assessment: Principles & Practice
• Safeguarding
• Cultural & Political perspectives of Education
• Theoretical Principles, Learning & Children
• Professional Responsibility & Practice

More information

TE7058 -

Learning, Teaching & Assessment in Core Curriculum (Core,30 Credits)

This module will help you to develop a deeper understanding of how the core subjects of English, mathematics and science are delivered in school as part of the Primary Curriculum (2014). Tutors will introduce you to the distinct nature of each subject, provide guidance as you develop your subject knowledge expertise and help you to define the pedagogical approaches and theory that underpins successful learning and teaching in these subjects. You will learn how to use specific strategies in English and mathematics to ensure that the children you teach develop the literacy and numeracy skills to help them become confident, independent learners. You will develop a thorough understanding of how approaches to assessment are integral to this process and you will learn how to use a range of formative and summative strategies to ensure your teaching is effective and children make progress.
Much of what you learn in this module will be applied directly to your school based experience. With the guidance of your school-based mentor, you will plan, teach and evaluate sequences of lessons; putting into practice what you have learnt as part of your university based training. Seeing the impact that your teaching has on the progress of children will directly inform your thinking as you reflect on your own learning and subject knowledge development.

More information

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help.  They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.

 

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Accessibility and Student Inclusion

Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.

We are proud to work in partnership with AccessAble to provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.

You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need. 

We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:

Accessibility support

Student Inclusion support

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

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