PGCE Primary Education

‘Aspiration, Attitude, Achievement’

• The University of Wolverhampton is one of the West Midlands’ largest providers of teacher education, with many of our graduates going on to work within the conurbation.  Our tutors are all experienced teachers who have worked with our partnership and family schools for many years.
• We are proud of our long-standing tradition of training teachers of Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Post Compulsory Education.
• Access to free Professional Skills Test Support.
• High quality learning facilities, including well equipped teaching rooms, cutting edge learning spaces, lecture theatres and a social learning environment.
• A clear progression to Master’s degree study, with opportunities to use PGCE credits to embark upon further study following successful completion of the course, including a fully tailored Newly Qualified Teacher module that can be completed during your induction year.
• Access to leading research in the field of Education that enables trainees to develop as reflective practitioners.

What do Ofsted say?

The University of Wolverhampton provision is particularly effective in developing highly professional teachers with the skills to reflect critically on the quality of their teaching in order to improve it. They are valued highly by the schools, colleges and other settings where they secure employment in the region.  The university has an excellent reputation that enables it to build strong partnerships across the region to support high-quality teacher training and educational improvement.  Employment rates in all phases are high, with many former trainees working in the region.

Ofsted (2013), Initial Teacher Education Inspection Report, London: Ofsted

Looking for 1-1 advice? OPEN EVENTS - FIND OUT MORE

Did you know about our teaching specific 'Choose to Teach' open events we host at our Wolverhampton Campus twice a year? 'Choose to Teach' offers a brilliant opportunity for you to meet university staff and schools and get one-to-one advice about your journey to becoming a teacher!

Alternatively why not attend one of our Postgraduate Open Evenings, where you will have the opportunity to talk to staff and students who are currently studying and find out more about the course and our facilities. We have Open Evenings taking place at our Wolverhampton Campus.

If you are successful you will be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status and you will be prepared to teach pupils in the 3-11 age range within the primary age phase with alternative education setting enhancement. You will also gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) which includes 60 Masters level credits.

You will also be given help to find your first post in school. The course will provide you with an excellent start to your teaching career as you experience teaching in two separate primary schools with trained school-based tutors to aid your development. You will have the opportunity to help develop the teaching within this fast-developing subject and have a real impact on children’s education.

You will be enabled to become a critically reflective teacher with high levels of subject knowledge and a wide understanding of educational theory and practice.

You will also develop the professional skills required to achieve outstanding results in relation to student progress including lesson planning, assessment methods, data analysis, and communication.

These fees relate to new entrants only for the academic year indicated for entry onto the course, any subsequent years study may be subject to an annual increase, usually in line with inflation.

• To hold a first degree of a United Kingdom higher education institution or equivalent qualification.

For example Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of science (BSc) etc. or similar . They are sometimes known as 'undergraduate' or 'first' degrees.

• To have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade 4 (previously Grade C) in the GCSE examinations in English, Mathematics and Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Combined Science). 
• To have taken part in a rigorous selection process designed to assess your readiness to train to teach.

Please note we do NOT accept GCSE Short Courses, GCSE Equivalent Tests from other institutions or organisations, Key Skills Level 2 or Functional Skills Level 2.

If you unsure please contact our Admissions Department admissions@wlv.ac.uk for clarification.

Your personal statement is an important part of the application process. We will be reviewing your personal statement to find out more about you and we will also be reviewing your spelling, grammar and punctuation and you have followed the UCAS (for undergraduate applications) or DfE Apply (for post graduate applications) guidance regarding length and what to include. Your application will not be successful if you do not demonstrate the high standards of accuracy the teaching profession demands.

Important Requirements

As part of the Department for Education (DfE) ITT compliance, if you are successful you will be required to provide your ORIGINAL certificates to the University of Wolverhampton Admissions Unit.

You will also take part in a rigorous selection process designed to assess your readiness to train to teach. Further information regarding the interview process can be found at https://www.wlv.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply/4---after-youve-applied/subject-specific-applications/.

Interview and Selection

First Stage: All applicants that are successful with their application will be invited to complete a set of short professional scenarios involving reading, writing and numerical tasks. These will provide us with an audit of your existing strengths as well as indicate any areas where you need to develop your knowledge and understanding during your course. If you are offered a place following interview, you will be required to demonstrate your professional readiness through successful completion of all of the tasks as one of your conditions of acceptance before the course starts. This may mean that you are asked to attend support sessions in English and mathematics during your course to enable you to demonstrate a satisfactory level of proficiency by the completion of your course.

Any work to address shortfalls in English and mathematics must be undertaken by the trainee teacher in addition to other aspects of their training. It is the trainee’s responsibility to secure these fundamental skills before being recommended for Qualified Teacher Status.

Second Stage: You will undertake either an observed group task or a subject-specific activity (if you are applying for secondary teacher training).

Third Stage: You will engage in individual face to face interview

We will be assessing your ability to be able to meet the Teachers’ Standards by the completion of your course. Those successful in the audits and at interview will be subsequently required to meet enhanced DBS checks, fitness to teach and medical check and prohibition order check requirements. You will be expected to complete these forms once you have been successful and have a Conditional Offer.

If you have accepted a Conditional Offer made by the University of Wolverhampton you will receive correspondence asking you to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The charge for this will be a dbs fee of £38.00 and a £6.00 ID check service fee. You will also need an Occupational Health Check and a prohibition check prior to starting the course.

INDIA TEACHING EXPERIENCE TRIP 2017

Christopher Evison, PGCE Primary Education Student

"The trip to India and Dubai organised for the Primary Education students of the University of Wolverhampton was something that I will remember forever. This experience that the course offered attracted me right away as not many University students can graduate leaving their course with an opportunity to work in education internationally.

After two days in Delhi, we started to see just what India has to offer and could not wait to see more of the country and settle into our schools. We travelled up to Jalandhar on the Sunday by train and were about to embark on our journey as teachers at Cambridge International School.

On the Monday, we discussed with the teachers about the particular areas that we wish to teach and get involved with during the following week. We also got a chance to meet some of the students in their lessons and to observe teaching. One thing which stood out for me was the behaviour of the students and their positivity towards education. Every child in the class wanted to learn. This positivity was reflected in the displays in and around the school – something I will use in my future classroom.

During the week, we were able to teach a range of both core and foundation subjects. The experiences that the week gave us has certainly changed us all as young teachers, with us all feeling excited to return to the UK to use some of the amazing strategies that we saw being used.

The memories and the friendships that the trip gave us will stay with us forever. I would like to thank the University of Wolverhampton for this trip and would recommend this experience for any future student at Wolverhampton."

Postgraduate Loyalty Discount:

You can get 20% discount on a taught postgraduate course if you’re a University of Wolverhampton Graduate.

The University offers a generous 20% Loyalty Discount to students progressing from an undergraduate programme to a taught postgraduate on-site programme, where both courses are University of Wolverhampton Awards.

There is no time limit on how long ago you completed your degree as long as this is your first Masters level qualification.

The discount applies to the first year of enrolment only. Students who receive a loyalty discount are not entitled to any further tuition discount or bursary. For full terms and conditions click here.

Self-funded:

If you are paying for the fees yourself then the fees can be paid in 3 instalments: November, January and April. More information can be found by clicking here.

Sponsored - Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

Your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.

Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.

Charitable Funding:

You might also want to explore the possibility of funding from charitable trusts; please see the following websites Association of Charitable Foundations, Directory of Social Change or Family Action. Most charities and trust funds offer limited bursaries targeted to specific groups of students so you will need to research whether any of them are relevant to your situation.

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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