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Primary PGCE

London, Bloomsbury

UCL works in partnership with around 300 primary schools to enable Primary PGCE students to develop the knowledge and skills they need to become a primary teacher. We welcome a wide range of students each year to the Primary PGCE course and traditionally under-represented groups are particularly encouraged to apply. Our cohorts are typically very diverse, reflecting school communities across London.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£9,250
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£27,500
Duration
1 academic year
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
All applicants: 08 Oct 2024 – Closing date to be confirmed

Applications not yet open

Early application is advised as programmes may close as soon as places are filled. Applicants should check the government website for the latest vacancy information.

Skills


This course will give you everything you need to face the classroom, both the pedagogical theory and the practical skills to be an inspiring teacher.

Support


Our gradual immersion approach will introduce you to the classroom progressively, from one pupil to the whole class.
A unique gradual approach to teaching

Experience


Placement in very diverse, carefully chosen schools will allow you to learn from different contexts and be prepared to teach in any school.
Read our placement guide

Start teaching


With a PGCE you can start teaching as soon as you complete the course and are recommended for Qualified Teacher Status.

IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, has been ranked 1st for Education in the QS World University Rankings by Subject since 2014.

Entry requirements

UK qualifications Equivalent qualifications

First degree

A minimum of a lower second-class UK Bachelor’s degree or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. For Primary Specialist Mathematics, a Mathematics degree or degrees with significant Mathematics content would be an advantage.

A levels

No specific subjects required.

GCSEs

English Language, Science (one from Combined Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics) and Mathematics at grade C / 4 or above. We do not accept "applied" or "additional" GCSE subjects. Applicants who do not offer a GCSE in English Language, Science or Mathematics may demonstrate an equivalent standard by completing a test via Equivalency Testing or A Star Equivalency and achieving at least a grade 4. For Mathematics, equivalency tests in Mathematics Foundation or Mathematics Higher with grade 4 are accepted. For Science, equivalency tests in either Combined Science or Biology with grade 4 are accepted. BTEC, Functional Skills or Access course qualifications are not accepted in place of GCSEs.

School experience

We recommend that you aim to gain some experience in a classroom prior to interview.

Skills tests

Trainees will be assured against a set of fundamental Mathematics and English skills by the end of their teacher training.

Relevant experience and background

Applicants whose degree qualifications are below a lower second-class standard may be admitted if they can demonstrate an appropriate academic background at Master's level and above and/or significant postgraduate experience in the relevant field.

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

This programme is suitable for international students on a Student visa - study must be full-time, starting September.

DBS and occupational health

If you are made an offer you will be required to successfully complete Occupational Health and Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure checks. The Occupational Health Check is £90, and depending on your DBS requirements, there may be an additional fee of £15.00 if you can submit your DBS Enhanced Disclosure check via a UK Post Office. These checks are required to ensure you meet the Department for Education’s requirements for physical and mental health to teach, as well as assessing your suitability for access to children and vulnerable adults. More details can be found on the Entry requirements page.

If you have lived, worked, studied or travelled in any single country outside of the UK for six continuous months or more, in the last five years, you will be required to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct from the relevant country/countries. The cost of this check varies by country and is payable by the student. More information on how to obtain these can be found on gov.uk.

For more information about the DBS application process, please contact the UCL ITE Admissions team.

About this course


Our Primary PGCE develops effective, confident teachers whose classroom practice is informed by an advanced knowledge of educational theory, and who will continue to learn and reflect throughout their careers. We will help students to acquire the skills and expertise to support children's learning, prepare them to teach in an inclusive urban environment, provide professional development in all national curriculum subjects and ensure that students show a concern for professional values and demonstrate the positive attitudes and behaviour expected from pupils.

A unique feature of the Primary PGCE is our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Pathway, for which students can apply once they firmly accept their offer. The SEND Pathway is a specifically tailored course, based on the principle of inclusive pedagogy, which allows student teachers to gain deeper insights in how to work effectively with children with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities. Students on the SEND Pathway can access placements in special education schools and specialist resource bases, where possible, due to our strong and long-standing partnerships across Greater London.

Who this course is for

The Primary PGCE course is suited to those wishing to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for teaching in a UK maintained (state-funded) school and who have fulfilled the appropriate entry requirements.

Read more about the requirements for teacher training

What this course will give you

Students on the Primary PGCE benefit enormously from the complementary skills and expertise of staff in partnership schools and at IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society. The schools offer placements for teaching experience, and their teachers serve as mentors and joint assessors for our student teachers. IOE tutors have extensive experience of teaching, school management, inspection, research and consultancy.

Primary PGCE students can gain experience of teaching across two consecutive age-phases: the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 (EYFS/KS1 Route, ages 3 to 7); Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 (ages 5 to 11); lower Key Stage 2 (ages 7 to 9) and upper Key Stage 2 (ages 9 to 11).

Students will learn to teach all the primary curriculum subjects. They will also select one subject for specialist study from the range that we offer. For example, in 2023-24, Specialism choices were as follows: Children's Literature, Primary Languages, Geography and Sustainability, Mathematics, Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education, Music, Computing, Science, Art and Design and Physical Education (PE).

Read more about teacher training at the IOE

The teacher you want to be

Graduates of the course have great career prospects, with many taking on further leadership roles within their schools or acting as mentors to new PGCE student teachers. Some of our graduates are now senior leaders, and many have developed their careers as subject specialist teachers, SENCOs and lead teachers in the classroom.

Overall, the Primary PGCE aims to provide a springboard into a rewarding career as a skilled teacher and future educational leader. It also lays the foundations for researching, writing and further study in education.

The tools of a great educator

  • Understanding of theory and subject or phase pedagogy
  • Creating a successful climate for learning, including behaviour management
  • Planning and teaching classes that engage pupils
  • Using assessment to inform planning
  • Working with the wider school community, including parents

Employability

Graduates of the Primary PGCE are highly employable and sought after by a diverse range of schools in London and beyond. Almost all graduates secure their first teaching post by the time they finish the course.

Teachers from IOE are reflective and creative professionals, who strive to ensure the very best for every child. They are excellent communicators and critical thinkers, who have a strong drive towards social justice.

Accreditation

When you successfully complete this programme, UCL will recommend you for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). QTS is awarded by the Teaching Regulation Agency in England.

Structure

The course is taught through face-to-face sessions (including lectures, presentations, discussions, and classroom group tasks) and a practical teaching element based in schools. Students are required to read widely and to carry out written assignments in their own time.

Throughout the year, students will also participate in focused activities at IOE and in school that relate to specific areas of our curriculum. These activities (totalling 20 days) will help students to better understand links between theory and practice. They will also involve feedback from experts so that progress is supported in these pivotal areas.

Student teachers are assessed through assignments, presentations, audits, feedback and tutorials. A final assessment is based on a range of evidence including observations of teaching, assignments, subject knowledge development, professional conduct and responses to self-study.

The course consists of three core modules, two at Master’s level (level 7) and one at Undergraduate level (level 6). The Master’s level modules carry a total of 60 Master’s credits on completion.

University sessions run 9.00am - 4.30 pm daily. During school placements you will be expected to attend at least 30 mins prior to the start of the school day and leave at least 30 mins after the school day ends.You will have readings and additional self-directed study to complete in addition to these contact hours.

I loved the variety of subjects with primary education and building the foundations for a love of learning that can stay with children.

Abbie Sedgeman, PGCE Primary graduate and winner of a London Teacher of the Year award in 2020.

Abbie Sedgeman

Primary PGCE

Q&A with Abbie Sedgeman

Modules

Primary PGCE is a one-year course run over a period of 36 weeks (excluding holidays).

As well as taking part in face-to-face teaching at IOE, you will be undertaking at least 120 days of teaching practice in contrasting partnership schools

All student teachers undertake three school placements:

  • School Experience 1 in Autumn and Spring Terms (organised by UCL)
  • School Experience 2 in Spring Term (a one-week placement in a contrasting setting (organised by each student)
  • School Experience 3 in Summer Term (organised by UCL)

Compulsory modules





Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Upon successful completion of 60 credits and the Professional Practice module, you will be awarded a PGCE in Primary.

School placements

As part of the course students will spend time on placements at schools or Early Years Centres, during which time their teaching experience will be supported by a tutor and mentor. Students will spend at least 120 days on placement.

During placement periods you should be prepared to travel to and from each school placement. It should be noted that there is variation in how accessible schools are, and whether they have parking facilities.

We ensure your placement will provide fulfilling and valuable experiences through:

  • A dedicated team who will identify the best schools for your placements
  • Support and guidance from your university tutor and your school-based mentor
  • School experience that allows you to progress at an appropriate pace for you
  • Reasonable travel times from your home to your school

Making the most of your placement

Teaching is a demanding profession and student teachers can feel nervous about school placements or anxious about the workload. Your tutor and school-based mentor will help you navigate your school experience, ensuring that you have the input you need. Empathetic feedback and discussion about your developing professional practice will support you to be successful.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Where you'll study

IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society

IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, is a world-leading centre for research and teaching in education, culture, psychology, and social science. We are one of the UK’s largest teacher training providers, offering a wide range of programmes across all phases of learning and more subjects than any other university. We also offer an extensive range of master’s programmes. Our research addresses society’s most important challenges and feeds into our teaching, enabling our graduates to go on to influence future generations for the better, from individual lives to societal change.

Find out more about IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Learn to Teach with IOE

Are you interested in a career in teaching? Join our virtual events to find out more about Teacher Training at UCL, including admissions and student funding information.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: PGCE Primary Teacher Training

Are you interested in a career in teaching? Join our virtual events to find out more about Teacher Training at UCL, including admissions and student funding information.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £9,250
Tuition fees (2025/26) £27,500

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

Students are responsible for covering the costs of travel to and from placements (these are typically located within the M25) and travel costs fohttps://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/teacher-training/entry-requirements visits organised by the course.

The cost per day, as of July 2024, if you are using Oyster pay as you go varies between £8.50 (zones 1 and 2 only) and £22.30 (zones 1 to 9) based on current prices. Costs can be reduced by purchasing a weekly or monthly travelcard as well as applying for an Oyster Student photocard which allows up to 30% off travel when purchasing a travelcard.

Students also require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check plus an Occupational Health check prior to beginning the course. Information about costs are available on our entry requirements page for teacher training courses.

The Financial Assistance Funds provide support to UCL students who are in unexpected financial need.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the UCL Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Application and next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

Got questions? Get in touch

Learning and Leadership
Learning and Leadership

ioe.primarypgce.enquiries@ucl.ac.uk

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