PGCE Primary: The University of Manchester

Course description

The PGCE Primary Programme is based in the School of Education at the University of Manchester and is supported by a partnership that includes over 100 schools in the Greater Manchester area. The programme offers the full range of experiences required for Qualified Teacher Status.

It provides training in all National Curriculum subjects with a particular focus on Mathematics, English and Science. High quality support is provided by University based tutors and trained school based tutors. Over 50% of the programme is based in Partnership Schools. It leads directly to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and ultimately membership of the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE). Trainees audit their progress against the QTS Standards. They are assessed continually during professional placements in school and receive high quality feedback. Subject knowledge in English, mathematics and science is audited regularly. In addition assignments are submitted which relate to the teaching of English, Mathematics, Science and ICT. In order to achieve QTS trainees must, also, pass the Teacher Training Agency QTS skills tests in numeracy, literacy and ICT. The programme prepares participants to teach children aged 5-11 in the primary phase. The Manchester University Primary PGCE course is highly regarded by local headteachers and the rate of employment of trainees from the course is consistently high.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview: Hold a first or second class honours degree from a UK university, or a qualification recognised as equivalent by this University. This degree should normally be a 2(i) classification in a National Curriculum subject; a 2(ii) classification will be considered if the degree contains 50% content in English, Maths or Science (Physics, Chemistry or Biology based).

All selected candidates must have attained a standard in English, mathematics and science which is equivalent to the standard required to achieve a grade C in GCSE examination. Additionally, they should normally have a range of GCSEs in other National Curriculum subjects. All selected candidates will have two A levels at grade C or above, in National Curriculum subjects, preferably including either English, Mathematics or Science.  All selected candidates are also expected to have recent experience in a UK primary school. This experience should normally be a minimum of five days within the last three years and should have been completed by the interview day.

To apply for a PGCE course at the University of Manchester you must apply through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR ).