PGCE
Initial Teacher Education
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.
Due to Covid-19, we have made some changes to teaching and learning for the 2020-21 academic year: we have blended high-quality virtual engagement with in-person teaching on campus when possible. Blended learning will continue to some extent in the 2021-22 academic year and we will continue to keep the situation under review in light of ongoing Government guidance. If you’re planning on joining us in September 2021 we will communicate with you about specific details of how your course is taught nearer the time.
We're giving trainee teachers who start at Bath Spa University this September 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):
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.
Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) is a specialist course designed for those already working with babies and children from birth to five years old.
Successful completion of an EYITT course leads to the academic award of a PGCE and the recommendation of Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS). The EYTS is designed for those who wish to specialise in work with young children.
Early Years Initial Teacher 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
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.
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 all Foundation Subjects across the National Curriculum
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.
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.
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.
This PGCE programme produces high calibre teachers with the relevant skills, knowledge, understanding and experiences necessary to enter a career in teaching.
Newton Park and partner schools.
Please note: Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland are no longer eligible for the UK (Home) fee status. Please refer to the international student rate.
| 2021/22 entry | £9,250 |
| 2022/23 entry | Published Jan 2022 |
| 2023/24 entry | Published Jan 2023 |
| 2021/22 entry | £13,910 |
| 2022/23 entry | Published Jan 2022 |
| 2023/24 entry | Published Jan 2023 |
“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
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, you'll benefit from having strong emotional resilience and a sense of humour.
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.
Ready to apply? Click the "apply now" button in the centre of this page.
Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply webpages.
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.
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