Course description
The on-campus sessions not only provided us with fundamental and background knowledge for teaching but also gave us an opportunity to make friends, socialise and learn from each other's experience.
"The placements, meanwhile, were very useful to put our learning into practice"
Madhu Jena / PGCE Primary
PGCE Primary will train you to teach children aged 5 to 11. It provides training in all primary stage National Curriculum subjects, with a particular focus on Mathematics, English and Science.
Completion leads to a postgraduate qualification and recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
University-based sessions cover education theories, ideas and concepts, and will enhance your awareness of current educational issues.
You will spend a significant amount of time studying the core subjects outlined above, while also studying Religious Education, History, Geography, Art, Music, Design and Technology and PE.
Special features
- We have links with more than 200 schools, academies, and colleges, and you will benefit from significant school-based teaching experience.
- 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.
Additional course information
Your University tutors, who are all highly experienced Primary practitioners, will provide excellent support for your academic work and your personal development.
School mentors will provide advice and guidance whilst you are on placement. The culture of team working and best practice sharing among students will provide you with a support network available when you need it the most.
Teaching and learning
Important notice: factors affecting fieldwork and placements
The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork and placements. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority.
The School will assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any significant changes to our students at the earliest possible opportunity.
The role of SEED
- changes to the rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments;
- a risk assessment conducted by or on behalf of the University identifying unmanageable risk;
- changes that enhance the educational value and student experience of the activity;
- changes to the situation of a placement provider (for example, which cause them to be unable to accept students);
- the unavailability of appropriate insurance cover;
- the unavailability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs;
- where fieldwork and placements are a compulsory element of the Programme, they will be replaced with something academically similar;
- where a trip or placement is not a compulsory element of the Programme, it may not be replaced.
We will consult with affected students at the earliest possible opportunity and explore the options available to them.
The duty of students
Preparation, attendance and conduct
Attendance at preparatory classes is a compulsory pre-requisite of the fieldwork and placements to ensure safety and learning outcomes are met.
Students who do not attend the compulsory preparatory classes may be prevented from participating in the fieldwork or placement. It is the duty of students to discuss any attendance issues with the field course or placement convenor.
Students are representatives of the university during their fieldwork or placement. Behaviour deemed by the convenor to be unacceptable may result in students being sent home.
Where a student is unable to attend or complete the fieldwork or placement (e.g. due to mitigating circumstances), is prevented from attending due to absence from compulsory preparatory classes, or returned home due to poor conduct:
- a suitable alternative assessment will be offered (as appropriate) to ensure that the programme ILOs are met, and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
- the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.
Immigration, passport and visa requirements
It is the responsibility of the individual student to ensure they have:
- a valid passport to enter the destination country (including sufficient months prior to expiry);
- a valid visa (where required) and comply with its requirements.
The School cannot guarantee that visas required for fieldwork or a placement will be granted by the relevant authority. Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa regulations at short notice.
Where a student is unable to attend fieldwork or a placement because they do not have the required visa or passport:
- a suitable alternative assessment will be offered to ensure that the programme ILOs are met and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
- the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.
Coursework and assessment
You will be assessed during your school placements, and you will receive high-quality feedback to enhance your development.
Your subject knowledge in English, Mathematics and Science will be audited regularly through taught course sessions, and you will also complete three 20 credit master's-level assignments during the year.
The written assignments will allow you to gain a maximum of 60 master's-level credits, and guidance and support to complete these assignments will be available from your University tutors.
Facilities
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