Primary Early Years PGCE (3-7)
Course code
Full-time - TEPQ-X3L1 (X3L2)
Qualification
PGCE Primary Early Years
(3-7)
Duration
1 year
Start Date
2nd September 2024
Department of Study
Centre for Teacher Education
Location of Study
University of Warwick
The Primary Postgraduate Certificate in Education is a high-quality programme of professional education, leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and Master’s level credits. Our course aims to develop you into a highly reflective practitioner, able to adapt and respond to changes in settings and national educational contexts, and able to take responsibility for your ongoing professional development in preparation for future leadership.
We're nationally known for the quality of our training, and our work's based on a partnership with over 500 local schools in Coventry, Warwickshire and the West Midlands.
100% of trainees agreed
♦ That they have been effectively trained by partnership trainers, lecturers and programme staff.
♦ They were confident the training programme would make them a good or better teacher.
♦ They know how to promote:
-
- Mathematical skills
- Literacy skills
- Good behaviour through their teaching and implement a range of behaviour management strategies.
Course overview
Our Early Years Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) focuses on the 3-7 age range. Our courses will develop you into a highly effective teacher, equipped with the values, skills, and knowledge to become a successful school leader.
On the course you will learn key pedagogic principles e.g. behaviour management, assessment for learning and how to meet the needs of all through creating an inclusive classroom. You will develop your subject knowledge whilst learning how to plan and teach across all National Curriculum subjects, and the Foundation Stage Curriculum (Early Years Programme). Enhanced training in SEND teaching and learning is a distinctive aspect of our school and professional experience.
You will have access to excellent personal, academic and pastoral support. From our partner schools, you can expect a programme of mentor support and professional training and development, which complements the University-based elements of the course, and which will support your development of classroom practice.
In partnership with regional schools, we will ensure that you have the skills and knowledge needed to forge a strong personal and professional identity, which you will continue to develop throughout your career. The Warwick Teacher Values, of Social Justice, Intellectual Curiosity and Creativity run through all our programmes.
What is a PGCE?
A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is usually a one-year teacher training course. It offers a mixture of academic and practical learning, and it's the first step for graduates in the development of a teaching career. It provides a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS – a requirement to teach in the state school system as a Early Career Teacher).
Which route will you take?
Core | University-led
You will spend a minimum of 120 days in school spread across a minimum of two placement schools, which will be organised by our partnership office for you. Throughout these placements, you will engage in weekly observations and meetings with a Warwick trained school-based mentor and have an allocated point of contact at the university with a moderation tutor.
You will also have further days in school as part of our Intensive Training and Practice programme focussing on key pedagogies including behaviour, phonics and adaptive teaching.
The rest of the programme will consist of sessions taught by the University of Warwick on our Westwood Campus, focussing on developing your knowledge and understanding of both the central issues in education (e.g. how children learn, assessment, adaptive teaching, behaviour management, etc.) and how to teach the breadth of the curriculum.
If you feel passionate about teaching and would like a programme offering placements in a range of schools with contrasting policies and schemes of work, this may be the best option for you. You will be trained across the Early Years and Key Stage 1 and gain an understanding of both curriculums and a range of teaching strategies. We will provide you with a good grounding upon which you will be building your professional skills and understanding in schools.
Lead Partner Route
On the Partner led route PGCE programme, approx.130 days are spent in school and the rest of the programme will consist of sessions taught by the University of Warwick, some school-led sessions and independent study. You will also have further days in school as part of our Intensive Training and Practice programme focussing on key pedagogies including behaviour, phonics and adaptive teaching.
If you would rather be immersed in the classroom environment and school culture, consider the partner led route where you'll spend the majority of the year based in a single school. There are two Lead Partner Routes available, Partner Led Training and School Direct Salaried.
On the Lead Partner route you may be eligible for funding via a tuition fee loan through Student Finance England. Partner led route provides an employment-based option and is ideal for graduates with extensive work experience, who have worked in a school or similar setting for some time. You won’t be eligible for any bursaries or scholarships but you will receive a salary while you train.
Why Warwick?
In the Centre for Teacher Education, our values-based approach to developing early career teachers derives from our commitment to developing teachers who are just, curious, and creative who contribute positively to every child’s educational outcome (including SEND and EAL pupils), and to tackling social deprivation.
At Warwick, we’ll help you find your own path to success. We understand that teaching is more than just a job. We also know that you are more than just another applicant. That’s why our approach is tailored to your needs. We’re focused on getting you prepared to enter the classroom, and ready for all the challenges that teaching throws at you. We won’t drop you in at the deep end, but we will help you become accustomed to different school environments.
We have a long history of providing students with the best access to the contacts, resources and facilities needed to fulfil teaching promise. You’ll also benefit from our research-informed teaching, delivered at an acclaimed university with a reputation for excellence. That teaching will come from people who truly understand the journey that you’re taking.
There’s lots to take in when you think about becoming a teacher. That’s why we ensure that support is available whenever you need it. As well as having a personal tutor, that will support you throughout the time you’re at Warwick, you can rely upon the friendship and guidance from your fellow trainees. We also have online resources dedicated to giving you the help and support you need.
So choose Warwick, and give yourself the ideal start for that journey. Be somewhere which believes your teaching career can be as long, rewarding and enjoyable as you want it to be. Be somewhere that trusts you to follow a more personalised teaching path, but will be there for you wherever that path takes you.
Contact us
Enrolment questions: cte dot admissions at warwick dot ac dot uk
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
- UK Bachelors degree with Honours at 2:2 or above, or equivalent level.
- At least Grade C or the new Grade 4 in GCSE English, Mathematics and Science.*
Equivalency Tests
We are able to accept approved 3rd party equivalency tests in place of GCSEs. The current providers that have been approved are as follows, with details of the current discounts that are available. If you are intending to use another equivalency testing company, we recommend you contact our admissions team prior to doing so to ensure that they meet the entry criteria.
- Why choose Equivalency Testing?
- Long standing company
- Excellent student support
- Secure testing
- Good and quick feedback
- Significant discount available for PGCE offer holders, please email cte.admissions@warwick.ac.uk for the code.
Why chose A Star Equivalency?
- Excellent student support
- A clear outline of required material in each exam
- Rolling programme of live online subject specific support sessions.
- An extensive range of free support material
- Practice papers and marking schemes
- Discounted from £165* to £139 (saving £26). Please contact cte.admissions@warwick.ac.uk for the discount code.
If you are intending to use another equivalency testing company, we recommend you contact our admissions team prior to doing so to ensure that they meet the entry criteria.
English requirements
Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, you will need a minimum score of 7.0 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Find out more about English requirements at Warwick.
Documentation
If you graduated in the last two years, you’ll need to provide an academic reference. It can take a while to complete and submit a reference, so the sooner you get in touch, the better – you might want to send a description of the course and what you’d like to get out of it to make it easier. You can find more information and guidance here.
You will need original copies of all your qualifications. If you don’t have these any more, you can obtain a Certified Statement of Results instead, but these can take some time to retrieve from exam boards and you may need to pay a fee.
Classroom Experience
Although it is not a requirement for entry, we strongly recommend that you have some experience in the classroom within mainstream UK schools (Early Years, Key Stage 1 and 2) before applying. This experience will give you a flavour for your potential future career and will help you write your application. Find out how to gain school experience.
Safeguarding checks
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff, enrolled trainees and offer holders to share this commitment. The successful completion of an enhanced DBS check to confirm your suitability for the profession is a condition of any offer to study within CTE. Disclosure does not automatically make you ineligible to enrol onto a PGCE course, each application will be considered on a case by case basis, we recommend you use the DBS guidelines for applicants with previous convictions.
*The new grading system for those receiving their results for GCSE English, Mathematics and English was adopted in 2017. The grading system is now 9-1, with Grade 9 awarded to those students in the very top tier. Grade 4 is considered equivalent to the old Grade C.
**Special offer for the University of Warwick students. Maths exams are available in Foundation or Higher. English, Science and Biology are untiered
If students require further support, we offer a range of low cost options.
Core Modules
Subject Studies
This module focuses on the evidence base, subject knowledge and practice of teaching all the subjects across the curriculum. Early Years trainees are trained to teach all the Early Years Foundation Stage areas of learning in addition to the Key Stage 1 National Curriculum subjects.
Professional Enquiry
This module is concerned with pedagogy – the method and practice of teaching. It addresses central issues such as, teaching methods, how children learn, meeting individual needs, assessment, adaptive teaching and behaviour management. The module includes input from specialist teachers and will help you develop teaching that is effective and inclusive of all learners.
Professional Practice
This module connects the taught curriculum and school placements, focusing on how you are embedding new knowledge and robust evidence into your own teaching in a school placement. It also includes training which develops your professional behaviours such as reflective practice, teacher wellbeing and safeguarding.
Assessment
You will be assessed through written Master’s level assignments, which are aimed at assessing your professional and subject-specific learning. You’ll also be assessed on whether you meet the Teachers' StandardsLink opens in a new window at a level appropriate for a newly qualified teacher.
The current assessment methods consist of the following, however, CTE reserves the right to change these as appropriate in line with the requirements of regulatory authorities such as Ofsted and the DfE.
Professional Enquiry (Master's level)
Coursework focusing on a key issue and combining theory with your practice in schools. (Master's level assignment.)
Subject Studies (Master's level)
Coursework focusing on the role of the adult in supporting children's language development across the curriculum. (Masters level assignment.)
Professional Practice (Honour's level)
Meeting the Teachers’ Standards – at a Good or Outstanding level (weekly observations by School Mentor; visits by Link Tutor, and tutorials with Personal Tutor and completion of an online reflective account.)
Fees and Funding
| Route | 2024-25 | ||
| PGCE (Uni-led, Core) | Full Time | Home | £ 9,250 |
| PGCE (Partner Led) | Full Time | Home | £ 9,250 |
| PGCE (School Direct Salaried) | Full Time | Home | £ 2,100 |
| PGCE (Uni-led, Core & Partner-led) | Full Time | EU/Overseas | £ 26,110 |
Additional Costs
- Study costs
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access. - Computing requirements
A computing device with a browser and broadband internet access is required for the course. The university provides central guidance on the recommended specification for any device you use to undertake your academic work. - Travel expensesThere will be extra costs associated with travel to professional practice placements.
For up-to-date information concerning fees, funding and scholarships for Home/EU and Overseas students please visit Warwick's PGCE Fees and Funding webpageLink opens in a new window.
Your career
Career progression may be through a specialist curriculum or pastoral role, or by moving into management. Teachers may become heads of Key Stages or coordinators of a cross-curricular area, such as special needs or careers education, as well as subject or professional mentors for trainee teachers on placement.
Upon completing this course you'll be recommended for qualified teacher status (QTS) and gain 90 credits at Master's level. This allows you to fast-track to stage two of our Master's degree, quickly progressing your professional development. If you choose to complete a different Master's, you can still use 60 credits towards your course.
What do our students say?
I began my teacher training via a Partner Led route in 2014. When I qualified, I began working at a Primary School which was where I stayed for about 5 years. I took on the role of class mentor to trainees, supported NQTs and lead geography throughout the school. I began then working for the University of Warwick in January 2020. I mostly teach geography and history but also some maths across the EY, KS1 and KS2 curriculums. I also support trainee teachers in a pastoral setting as well as in a moderation setting by visiting the schools the trainees are placed in. I love teaching others, both children and adults alike and love learning myself. My motivation, I then suppose, comes from my own love of learning and wanting to instil that in others.
I like to think I’m an empathic educator and recognise the challenges that teachers, especially those beginning their career can face. I’m an advocate for the use of mindfulness as a way to manage the day to day difficulties teachers can face and run a weekly Twitter chat that looks at this (every Wednesday at 8pm. #MindfulTeacherChat).
I’d say that it’s important to remember that teaching is a career full of peaks and troughs. Sometimes you can have the best time of your life teaching and sometimes you can feel really snowed under but that it’s worth it in the end. Seeing those around you flourish under your guidance as their teacher is deeply satisfying and rewarding. There’s simply no other job like it.
Emily | Teaching Fellow at The University of Warwick
CTE Lead Partner Alumnus
Graduated 2014.
PGCE - Core | University-led
Applications are usually open between October - June. Once you have your course choice and certificates, you can apply through DfE Apply*Link opens in a new window
Lead Partners
You can find our lead partners on DfE apply - Each school has a different DfE Apply Code and you can apply directly to the partners. Our proposed lead partners for 2024/25 are:
|
School |
Code |
| NEW! | |
|
The Ignite FederationLink opens in a new window (The Revel Primary School) |
NEW! |
|
Arden Teaching AllianceLink opens in a new window (Secondary) |
2BU |
| 179 | |
|
Dorridge Alliance; Part of The Arden Multi Academy TrustLink opens in a new window |
2KX |
| 21T | |
|
St Peter's Catholic School Solihull Teacher Training AllianceLink opens in a new window |
17Y |
| 1K1 | |
| 5A1 | |
|
Transforming Lives Educational Trust Initial Teacher TrainingLink opens in a new window (TLET ITT) |
1XO |
| 2BN | |
|
Coventry and Central Warwickshire Teaching School HubLink opens in a new window |
1GH |
With the possible addition of more.
The list will be updated here once partnerships are confirmed.
*When applying for the University-led PGCE through DfE Apply, you need to select the University of Warwick. If you are applying for a Partner led route with us, you select the name of the school accredited by the University Of Warwick.
We recommend that if you wish to gain your qualification through the University of Warwick, you select your DfE Apply options as University of Warwick University-led (Core) and one of the schools affiliated with us (Lead Partners). We have lots of information about our partner schools available.