PGCE (Primary)

Entry requirements

Please visit the Goldsmiths website for details.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our well established Primary PGCE programme will support you in developing the skills, knowledge, and understanding that you’ll need to become a reflective, inclusive, creative, and engaged classroom practitioner.

This full-time Primary PGCE (QTS) programme is available in the following age phases:

• Lower Primary: 3 to 7-year-olds (Lower Primary)
• Upper Primary: 5 to 11-year-olds (Upper Primary) or 7 to 11-year-olds (Upper Primary)

You will be asked to choose one of these at interview. Please note that if you apply to the 3-7 pathway your placements will take place in the Early Years Foundation Stage with children aged 3-5 and Key Stage 1 with children aged 5-7.

Our Vision and Mission

We support the development of exceptional teachers for world-class schools. Our Teacher Education Partnership believes that to achieve this vision and to make a difference to young peoples' lives, it needs to be committed to:

• Promoting reflection to help you develop a strong sense of identity that is built upon a close connection between research and experience
• Recognising inclusivity to be rights-respecting, and recognise and challenge the political, social, economic, and cultural dimensions of practice
• Celebrating creativity, taking informed risks, and using innovative strategies to support learning
• Developing confidence and engagement enabling you to participate fully in steering the course of the teaching profession locally, nationally, and globally

Why Train with Goldsmiths

You will be given a balanced and challenging introduction to teaching that is well matched to urban primary school and early years settings and is responsive to the needs of the wide range of schools we partner with. During your time on the PGCE (QTS) programme, you will have the opportunity to work in contrasting schools and settings, which will provide breadth to your understanding of your role as a teacher.

Drawing on a range of expert colleagues from school settings and the university, we provide a wealth of experience and opportunities carefully designed to support you in developing excellent subject, pedagogical, and curriculum knowledge to provide a firm foundation for your future career.

Much of our university-based teaching takes place in seminar groups, providing opportunities for purposeful discussion and debate. When in school, you will learn from expert colleagues and mentors who will provide opportunities for you to consolidate your learning, as well as targeted and supportive feedback to help shape your teaching practice.

You will also be supported to make meaningful connections between theory and practice. This programme is taught and assessed at MA level which means that in addition to the award of QTS, you will graduate with 60 MA-level credits if you pass all academic elements of the programme at an appropriate level – this is equivalent to one-third of a master's degree. Full academic support is provided to ensure you are fully prepared for assessment, regardless of your prior experiences.

We provide opportunities for you to reflect on your own mental health and wellbeing from the outset of the programme and throughout the year. This is supported by a strong pastoral care system within the department.

Fees and funding

Assessment