Education (Primary)

Entry requirements

At UCAS you can apply for this course using the following code: X100

• The equivalent of a UK 2:2 honours degree. If your degree is from an overseas institution you must apply for a Statement of Comparability from NARIC

• GCSE English, Mathematics and Science at grade 4 (or C) or above (or equivalent) which must be achieved by the time of application. If your equivalent qualifications are from an overseas institution you must apply for a Statement of Comparability from NARIC (ecctis.co.uk/naric/).

  Your interpersonal qualities and your potential to achieve professional skills relating to the Teachers' Standards will be considered when making an admissions decision. Candidates who meet the criteria, will be invited to an interview. The interview process will involve an individual interview with a pre-prepared presentation element and a series of tasks designed to illustrate your potential to meet the Teachers' Standards by the end of the course.

Successful candidates will receive an offer conditional upon successful medical and criminal record checks. The latter is carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service and full instructions on how to apply for a DBS Disclosure will be provided.

We strongly encourage you to register for the DBS Update Service, which lets you take your certificate from one employer to another without having to apply for a new check.

Please note, all DBS Enhanced Disclosures for our students must be applied for through Durham University unless you have applied to the Update Service.

Months of entry

September

Course content

If you are a graduate with an interest in learning, teaching, and a desire to make a positive difference to the lives of young people, then the Durham PGCE Education (Primary) with Initial Teacher Training could be the course for you. The course qualifies you to become a primary school teacher for children in the 5 to 11 age range and provides training for Key Stages One and Two. This programme is offered with QTS which is awarded in collaboration with Newcastle University.

Underpinning the PGCE is a belief that the most effective teachers understand that children learn best through a combination of theory, practice and reflection. Building on this, the programme includes plenty of opportunities to evaluate new initiatives in teaching and develop the creative knowledge you will need to put them into practice during the 140 school-based days.

You will also complete sessions devoted to the core subjects of English, mathematics and science, and focus on one of these areas in your assignment in the Curriculum Development in Practice module. In addition, you will cover primary foundation subjects, led by subject specialists.

At Durham, we set high standards and place importance on research-related professional practice (RRPP) for our teacher educators. We pride ourselves on providing a well-planned blend of research and experience in the classroom to start you out on your career as a reflective practitioner.

Please note that the course does not run to standard university terms. It is delivered full-time, starting in early September and continues over 10 months.

Course Structure

New Generation of Learners introduces PGCE students to various key educational theories. It starts the journey of addressing the gap between research and practice

Pedagogy Practice Inquiry creates a critical link between PGCE students’ understanding of school-based practice, context and theory, and research and policy related to pedagogy (for example through the lens of lesson planning)

Curriculum Development in Practice This module offers an opportunity for students to reflect on professional practice in their chosen subject, from the perspective of the curriculum

The predominantly classroom-based Professional Studies and School Based Practice fosters a critical understanding of issues related to the development of professional competence as a teacher. Areas covered include; effective teaching strategies; managing the teaching and learning environment; enhancing professional development; and creative dimensions of teaching and learning.

Information for international students

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

Fees and funding

For further information see the course listing.