PGCE information session
Sign up to our upcoming online PGCE Primary information session. Get an introduction to the PGCE teacher training courses for Primary level at The University of Manchester. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.
PGCE Primary School Direct 5-11
Year of entry: 2024
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Overview
- Degree awarded
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
- Duration
- 1 year
- How to apply
Course overview
- Become an outstanding primary school teacher with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), and receive up to 60 (out of 180) master's credits.
- Receive high-quality training delivered by our alliance of primary school partners.
- Benefit from bespoke support and placements within the School Direct alliance, giving you the best start to your teaching career.
Open days
Our School Direct alliance partners hold regular tours.
The University holds regular open days , where you will have the opportunity to tour the campus and find out more about our facilities and courses.
You will find out more about the School of Environment, Education and Development, our resources, and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
There are several types of government funding available for teacher training including:
- tuition fee loan and maintenance loan;
- extra financial support if you're a parent or have an adult dependant or a disability.
Learn more on the Department for Education website .
You can also find out about scholarships and bursaries on our funding page .
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Environment, Education and Development
- Contact name
- Recruitment and Admissions Team
- Telephone
- 0161 543 4710
- pgce@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- http://www.seed.manchester.ac.uk/subjects/education/pgce/
- School/Faculty overview
-
See: The School .
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Professional entry qualification
Home-schooled applicants
If you have followed a non-standard educational route and have been, for example, educated at home, your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course to which you applied. You will be required to demonstrate that you meet the academic entry requirements as specified for the course. We will also require a reference which should be written by somebody who knows you well enough, in an official capacity, to write about you and your suitability for higher education.
Academic entry qualification overview
- Bachelor's degree (minimum 2:2 or international equivalent).
- Two A-levels in non-vocational subjects (minimum grade C).
- GCSEs in English Language, Mathematics and Science, plus at least three other non-vocational subjects (minimum grade C).
English language
In addition to a grade of C at GCSE in English Language, applicants whose first language is not English are required to meet the following language requirements:
- IELTS 6.5 overall, 6.5 in writing, no sub-section below 6.0, or
- TOEFL iBT overall score of 90 with a minimum score of 22 in writing and 20 in the other sub-sections, or
- Pearson PTE overall score of 62 with a minimum score of 62 in writing and 59 in the other sub-sections, or
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) overall score of 176 or above, with 176 in writing and no sub-section below 169
English language test validity
Some English Language test results are only valid for two years.
Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
We work with numerous schools in Greater Manchester to offer the School Direct route into teaching; all routes involve the joint selection of candidates by schools and tutors at The University of Manchester.
When choosing a School Direct route, you should identify the arrangement that the School Direct lead school has made for delivery of School Direct with The University of Manchester, as this will determine your pattern of training.
You should also clarify the 'expectations' to employ by the lead school - while schools can offer you a permanent role at the end of the training, there is no guarantee of employment.
You must apply through DfE Apply .
Applications or CVs sent directly to the University will not be considered.
You must submit the following with your completed application form:
- contact details for two referees who can provide a written reference supporting your suitability for teaching
-
a personal statement which should be between 500-1000 words in length in a good standard of written English. Here are some examples you could write about (they are just a guide, you do not need to write about all of them):
- skills you have that are relevant to teaching
- any experience of working with young people
- for secondary teacher training: your interest in the subject you want to teach
- your understanding of why teaching is important
- your reasons for wanting to train to be a teacher
- any activities you’ve done that could be relevant to teaching like first aid courses, sports coaching or volunteering
We recommend that you submit your application as soon as you are able to, once applications open. It is possible that we may need further evidence of qualifications in order to make a decision on your application, so please ensure that all relevant documents are available on request.
Before submitting your DfE application, please make sure that the information you enter regarding your qualifications is correct and accurate. We have the right to cancel your application if we determine (having carried out any necessary checks), or have reasonable belief, that your application contains false information. If you have any reason to believe that the information we hold about you is untrue, incomplete or inaccurate, you must tell us immediately.
How your application is considered
The University and the lead school will review your application jointly.
The lead school will advise you if you are invited for an online interview. If successful at interview, a formal offer would then be made by the University.
Interview requirements
You will be required to attend an online interview arranged by the school.
Aptitude test requirement
The Government is replacing the professional skills tests with a new system of provider-led assurance in relation to trainees' fundamental knowledge in English and Mathematics. Under this new approach you will not be required to pass professional skills tests prior to commencing your PGCE, but you will need to demonstrate your fundamental knowledge by the end of the programme.
Fitness to practise / health requirements
If your application is successful, we will require you to comply with a confidential health screening check as advised by the Department for Education.
Health screening will be undertaken by the Student Occupational Health Service, who will advise on any follow-up vaccinations or other intervention which may be indicated.
Disclosure and Barring Service check
If your application is successful, we will require you to comply with an enhanced check through the Disclosure and Barring Service as advised by the Department for Education.
You must also meet the University's suitability requirements for the safeguarding of children.
Re-applications
If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry.
In your new application, you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.
Course details
Course description
PGCE Primary School Direct provides you with the practical training and theoretical knowledge required to become an outstanding primary school teacher.
The course leads directly to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), with your progress audited against QTS Standards designed to ensure you graduate fully prepared to teach children aged 5 to 11 in the primary phase. The course offers high-quality training across the National Curriculum subjects, with support provided by University-based tutors and trained school-based tutors.
Compared with non-School Direct teacher trainees, you will benefit from additional time in school. School Direct partners will deliver training on agreed National Curriculum subjects and aspects of professional studies. This content will be planned, organised and delivered by each School Direct alliance.
School Direct alliances will also arrange your main teaching placements and most of the minor placements across the PGCE year. You will receive support and advice from a nominated School Direct representative during your two main teaching placements. The University will maintain a quality assurance and training role during your time on the course.
We work with numerous schools in Greater Manchester, many of whom are longstanding partners with us, to offer the School Direct route into teaching.
School Direct allows schools to recruit and select their own trainees, using the University's PGCE recruitment criteria and systems.
Applicants apply directly to the nominated lead school and interviews will be arranged directly with the candidates.
Many trainees gain employment in our School Direct partner schools, although this is not guaranteed, nor should it be expected.
School Direct follows a PGCE course structure but on a modified timetable including the school-based learning content, known as alliance-led days.
Special features
- We work with five different School Direct alliance partners.
- Our leading experts in education have trained more than 5,000 teachers in the last 15 years.
- Our students come from all over the globe and are from a variety of backgrounds - from recent graduates to mature learners.
Course collaborators
View our current School Direct training partners .
At the end of the course, your lead school may offer you a permanent role.
Facilities
The course is taught by the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE) with most PGCE University days based in the Ellen Wilkinson building, centrally located on the University's Oxford Road campus, close to the Main Library, Alan Gilbert Learning Commons and the Students' Union.
Disability support
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service.
For more information, email dass@manchester.ac.uk
Careers
Career opportunities
Completing a School Direct 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 school in England and Wales. Whilst other routes to gain QTS exist, they do not all come with the postgraduate qualification of a PGCE. A PGCE from The University of Manchester 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.
In addition to this, a PGCE qualification can count as 60 of the 180 credits required for a master's degree, and The University of Manchester offers a range of postgraduate Education courses should you wish to continue your professional development as you progress further in your career.
Visit our careers and employability page for more information.
Careers support
The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .