PGCE Primary

Our PGCE Primary has been running for over 60 years and schools tell us we are developing the kind of teachers they want to employ.

All of our PGCE courses are made up of both campus-based sessions - which will give you a grounding in the principles of good teaching practice - and school-based placements, giving you the chance to apply your knowledge and experience to a wide range of classroom situations. These placements will be in contrasting schools to provide you with a broad range of experience; they could be in city, suburban or rural schools, in the independent or state sector.

The PGCE Primary course prepares you to teach across the full range of the Primary Curriculum. We will introduce you to the wider context of teaching, including responding to diversity in schools and the inclusion of Special Needs Education, as well as equipping you with classroom management and planning skills.

By the end of the course you will meet the required professional standards for Qualified Teachers Status (QTS) and will be awarded a University of Leicester PGCE. Our strong ethos of reflective practice will prepare you well for your future career in teaching.

New teachers have now become some of the best-paid postgraduates in England. From September 2023, once you have completed your one-year PGCE course - which awards you QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) - as a primary or secondary school teacher in England, you’ll start on a minimum salary of £30,000 (£36,745 in inner London). Your salary will be reviewed every year, with most teachers moving up the pay range annually. A typical teacher could earn at least £41,333 (or more in London) within 5 years.

Not sure which PGCE route is right for you? Have a look at our Routes into Teaching pages to find out more about PGCE, Lead Partners and SCITT routes, including the dates of regular events we hold.

Alongside this ‘University-led’ PGCE, we work in partnership with schools across the region to offer a Lead Partners Primary PGCE.

We’re delighted that in 2024, Ofsted have graded our initial teacher training programmes as Outstanding. This means that both our primary and secondary teacher training adheres to the highest standards set by the Department for Education. 

Assessment method

The majority of your taught sessions will be with students from the other routes into teaching, allowing you to benefit from their variety of experiences and knowledge. Some of your sessions will also be taught in age-phase groups (i.e. Lower Primary and Primary). There are also specialist study groups for all students.

Our course has been praised by external examiners and Ofsted for its focus on reflection. You will be encouraged to evaluate your own teaching and share your learning with your peers.

Throughout your PGCE course you'll have the support of a range of teachers and tutors, as we are aware of the confidence this brings. We'll make sure you have the right support at the right time – whether that's at university or in school.

As well as gaining your Postgraduate Certificate of Education and QTS, you will also be able to take 60 credits which can be put towards a Masters qualification (you need 180 credits to complete a Masters).

You will complete two written assignments which make up the academic part of your assessment. The rest of your assessment will take place continuously throughout the course. There are no exams.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Primary