Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship (Primary) + QTS with Postgraduate Certificate in Education

Entry requirements

You are normally required to have at least a 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent qualification from a university outside the UK.

You will need to have achieved Grade 4 (or C) or above in GCSE Mathematics, English Language and a Science subject, or equivalent qualifications.

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5 (or equivalent).

As part of the application process for this programme, you will be required to attend an interview. Further information will be sent prior to the interview.

Additional requirements

• Due to the funding rules for Apprenticeships, you will need to have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years.
• You will need to have undertaken satisfactory Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure and show the physical and mental fitness to teach.
• You must not already hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• You will need to be employed full-time within a school who will provide a work-based mentor and commit to Apprenticeship requirements, including to releasing you for a contrasting school placement. This placement will be in a contrasting school where you will spend a minimum of four weeks.
• You will need to complete an apprenticeship agreement with your employing school, and your school will need to complete an Employer Framework Agreement for the provision of Apprenticeships with the University of Reading.

Apply for this course through DfE Apply and select and enter the correct code for your course as listed in the table.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Gain the experience, opportunity and knowledge to teach in Key Stages 1 and 2 with the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship (Primary) + QTS with Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at the University of Reading.

This full-time 10-month course, largely funded by the Apprenticeship Levy funding, ensures that you are embedded in school throughout and can earn while becoming a fully qualified teacher. You can also apply to complete this course with a specialism in either Early Years or Special Educational Needs. You will need to apply to your chosen specialism directly.

Qualified Teacher Status

The course leads to achievement of the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship and the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), qualifying you to teach children aged five to 11. This PGCE route provides the additional opportunity to study at Level 7 and gain 60 Master’s level credits.

Upon successful completion of training, you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status to the Department for Education and be eligible to proceed to the End Point Assessment (EPA), where if passed, you will receive Teacher Apprenticeship. If you complete the PGCE, this will be awarded by the University of Reading.

How you'll learn

On the course you will spend the majority of your time in your employing school, undertaking a minimum of 20% off-the-job training alongside your on-the-job training. You will also gain experience in a contrasting school.

Through both university- and school-based training you will develop teaching skills and techniques as well as acquire curriculum knowledge and understanding within a broad and relevant theoretical framework.