PGCE Primary and Early Years

Key facts

Award: PGCE Primary and Early Years
School: School of Education
Campus or location: Newton Park, Culverhay and partner schools
Course length: One year full time.

UCAS codes: Institution Code: B20; Course Code: X100, X110 or X174 (depending on pathway); Campus Code: A,BSU

Entry requirements

You’ll need to be well suited to the teaching profession both personally and academically.

See 'What we look for in potential students' for more information.

Make a difference to children's lives by becoming a Primary teacher through our Ofsted 'Outstanding' rated teacher training course.

Inspire passion and create enthusiasm. Excellent teachers make a difference to the lives and futures of the people they teach.
Benefit from 70 years of teacher training experience. We are committed to excellence in research and professional practice.
Enhance your employment prospects. Become fully qualified to teach in just one year.

Thank you for changing lives

We're giving trainee teachers who start at Bath Spa University in September 2019 a £500 Thank You Scholarship for choosing to become a teacher.

Developed in partnership with schools and early years settings, our Primary teacher training programmes will support you to become an innovative and inspiring teacher.

There are a number of age phases and specialist pathways to consider, through which you’ll achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS):

PGCE Primary and Early Years (3-7 age phase)
UCAS CODE: X110
PGCE Primary and Early Years (5-11 age phase) with options to specialise in English, Science, SEN/D and Modern Languages
UCAS CODE: X100
PGCE Primary and Early Years (7-11 age phase) with options to specialise in English, Science, SEN/D and Modern Languages
UCAS CODE: X174

Our full time programmes last for approximately 40 weeks. You’ll spend about two thirds of this time in a school or educational setting. Throughout the teacher training programme there is a dynamic relationship between your training in the University and your training in schools.

We also offer you the opportunity to study and train part-time three days per week over 16 months for the 5-11 and 7-11 age-phases. Our part-time PGCE Primary course runs on a unique timetable starting in January through to May of the following academic year.

Expanding to the areas that need us most...

We've been awarded DfE funding to deliver an innovative new teacher training partnership – and help bring even more exceptional new teachers into the areas that need them most.

This pilot scheme, which runs from September 2019, allows trainees to join our Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ Primary course – in partnership with the West Somerset Academies Trust and Bristol schools within the E-Act Multi-Academy Trust – and offers access to an exclusive bursary of up to £1,500 to support your training.

"The PGCE course provides the ultimate teaching package – subject experts to impart their wisdom, placements in a variety of schools across the region, and even the opportunity to perform Shakespeare and sing in a gospel choir!"
Edward Powe, PGCE Primary and Early Years graduate

What you'll learn

Overview

While you’re a Bath Spa Teacher, you’ll explore models of teaching and the many ways in which children learn. Emphasis is placed on how parents and carers, families, schools and communities can impact children’s learning and well-being.

When you complete your Initial Teacher Training, you’ll be fully qualified to teach, with the essential knowledge, skills and confidence that you’ll need to be successful in the classroom.

Course components

University-based training
We’ll encourage you to think critically about research, national initiatives and classroom practice, as well as supporting you in the process of reflective evaluation.

You’ll be taught in lectures, seminars and workshops covering the following key strands: English, Maths, Science, Professional Studies, Teaching in a Diverse Society and Teachers as Researchers.

School-based training

You’ll receive training in at least two schools or settings allowing you to become familiar with their ethos and practice. You will work closely with a training mentor in school to develop your teaching skills through practice and reflection.

This is your opportunity to practise your developing teaching skills. During school training you’ll be able to reflect on your university training in the context of children’s learning environments.

How will I be assessed?

You will be required to have met the Teachers’ Standards by the end of the course which you will work towards throughout your school training.

You will also undertake three assignments at Master’s Level which assess your understanding of theories and practices relating to teaching.

Alongside this you will submit evidence of your subject knowledge in English, maths and science.

How will I be taught?

We’ll help you monitor and track your progress; offering you advice on how to improve your performance as a teacher. You will be assigned an Academic Tutor who will regularly meet with you to review your progress, as well as visiting you during your assessed school training. During school training you will also be supported by a Training Mentor, who is usually the class teacher.

Opportunities

Careers

This PGCE programme produces high calibre teachers with the relevant skills, knowledge, understanding and experiences necessary to enter a career in teaching.

Facilities and resources

Where the subject is taught

Newton Park, Culverhay and partner schools.

Fees

UK and EU students full time

Course fees

2019/20 entry	£9,250
2020/21 entry	Published Jan 2020
2021/22 entry	Published Jan 2021

International students full time

Course fees

2019/20 entry	£13,300
2020/21 entry	Published Jan 2020
2021/22 entry	Published Jan 2021

“Head teachers are confident that they gain a professional who is of high quality when they employ NQTs from Bath Spa University. Consequently, employment rates are high.”
Ofsted Report, rated Outstanding, September 2015

Interested in applying?

What we look for in potential students

You’ll need to be well suited to the teaching profession both personally and academically. We look for people with a committed professional approach and an exceptional work ethic. You’ll need to be organised, flexible and unflappable, as well as being able to communicate, interact and relate well to everyone. When entering the teaching profession, having strong emotional resilience and a sense of humour will give you the edge.

In addition to the general entry requirements, you’ll need a good honours degree; your degree can be in any subject. We only accept candidates with GCSE passes at grade 4/C or above (or recognised equivalents) in English, Mathematics and a Science subject.

How do I apply?

Ready to apply? Click the "apply now" button in the centre of this page.

Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply webpages.

Get ahead

To help you in choosing the age-phase you want to be the focus of your training, you may wish to spend some time within a school or appropriate setting.

Admissions service: +44 (0)1225 876 180
Email: admissions@bathspa.ac.uk
Course information: Katie Payne k.payne@bathspa.ac.uk

Website feedback to web@bathspa.ac.uk