Information for Applicants
"I have found teaching to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life!".
The Primary PGCE
The Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) at The University of Manchester is a full time one year programme which will prepare you to teach in the 5 to 11 year age range and incorporates the Award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Trainees will initially register on the PGCE (with QTS) and, if successful, could be awarded up to a maximum of 60 M Level credits and may progress towards a Master of Art in Education which will take them a further two or three years of part time study at the University. Alternatively up to a maximum of 30 M level credits could be awarded towards a Master in Teaching and Learning.
The PGCE offers a specialism in Modern Languages and trainees, if appropriately qualified, may be offered the opportunity to study either French, German or Spanish.
A strong commitment to equal opportunities and inclusiveness pervades every aspect of the programme, which attracts a large number of very able trainees of diverse backgrounds, cultures, ages, experiences and knowledge and skill bases. Trainees on the programme include many individuals who are eventually destined to become leaders, managers, advisors and academics in a variety of educational contexts.
The programme offers the range of experiences necessary to support and guide trainees as they develop into an excellent primary teachers with:
- an understanding of the nature of teacher professionalism;
- the knowledge, understanding and practical skills required to strive for excellence in
teaching; - an attitude towards learning that promotes high expectations and values diversity and
respect for all social and cultural backgrounds; - the standards required for the award of Qualified Teacher Status;
- the ability to reflect upon evidence in order to inform both your practical actions and principles and values in educational settings.
The PGCE integrates placement based learning centrally throughout all elements of the programme which is delivered by a very robust partnership between The University of Manchester and 150 primary schools. The partnership extends across all the Greater Manchester LEAs and into Cheshire and Lancashire.
The PGCE is 38 weeks in duration over half of which will be spent in partnership schools. The main Professional Placements are:
o 8 weeks in the autumn term in either Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2
o 8 weeks in the summer term in either Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2
o 2 weeks in the spring term in Key Stage 2
o 1 week in the spring term in the Foundation Stage
For further detail download the Primary PGCE brochure see link below
This course uses a strict policy for selection of applicants. Partnership staff, including university tutors, will be interested to interview those who:
- can demonstrate recent experience in a UK primary classroom (preferably five or more days within the last three years);
- have a minimum of grade C GCSE in maths, english and science;
- have two A levels at grade C or above, in National Curriculum subjects, preferably including either English, mathematics or science;
- hold a degree which will be first or second class 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);
- an academic profile which suggests that they have the capacity to cope with the course including other GCSE or equivalent qualifications demonstrating a broad knowledge base.
GTTR
All applications must be made through the GTTR (graduate teacher training registry).
GTTR
Rosehill
New Barn Lane
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL52 3LZ
Tel: 01242 544788
The day of interview
Our selection process will require you to spend a full day at the University. After an introductory talk we will ask you to complete a test in maths and audits in English and science.
Additionally, you will have the opportunity to discuss your application with partnership staff in a personal interview.
The interview will determine the extent of your:
- enthusiasm for working with young children;
- reflection following recent experience in a UK primary school;
- awareness of the role of a teacher as it relates to teaching and learning in classrooms;
- awareness of current educational issues;
- intellectual capacity and persistence to undertake an intensive period of training during which time they will need to assimilate and rapidly accommodate a large amount of information;
- potential to become a first rate teacher of children aged 5 - 11 years.
How are school staff influential in the planning and delivery of the programme?
Headteachers and classteachers contribute taught sessions and act as school coordinators for the partnership.
Students are all allocated to a school with a trained accredited teacher-mentor who provides training in school.
Classteachers and heads assist each year in planning the programme for the coming year. Representatives from partnership schools sit on the Advisory Board which evaluates elements of the programme and acts as a decision making forum.
Enquiries
If you have an enquiry, please contact the PGCE admissions administrator:
Email: pgce@manchester.ac.uk
Other useful contacts
- Training and Development Agency for Schools www.teach.gov.uk
Videos
- Welcome to the School of Education: University of Manchester (Real Media format)
- Science workshops on the PGCE programme (Real Media format)
- Professional days on the PGCE programme (Real Media format)