PGCE Primary (5-11) (PGCE)

About the Course

Apply via the GOV.UK website

Liverpool Hope University is one of the country's leading providers of Initial Teacher Education. In the most recent National Student Survey 97% of our undergraduate QTS students expressed overall satisfaction with provision, placing us top among the fifty largest providers of teacher training in the UK and 16% above the national average.

The PGCE Primary (5-11) course is a postgraduate qualification aimed at high-quality graduates wishing to pursue a career in primary teaching. It is an intensive, demanding yet very rewarding programme running from late August to July Tutors are dedicated to individual student support and to working closely with our partners in local schools.

Our teaching staff come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds, with a rich diversity of experience in many types of schools. We are committed to the idea that teachers are formed not trained and need both theoretical and practical preparation to be truly outstanding teachers. Our lectures and workshops are engaging and interactive, supporting you in becoming well-informed and reflective professionals who can take independent judgements and are ready to be full members of a school community.

All Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses at Liverpool Hope offer students the opportunity to combine a programme of theory with real world experience. The initial professional development focuses on what underpins the work of an effective and successful teacher, while school placements offer you the opportunity to put theory into practice.

Curriculum Overview

The full-time course is particularly intensive. Students are timetabled for study across a number of areas including initial professional development covering principles of education and curriculum areas such as English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, History, Geography, Art, Music, P.E and R.E. Approximately half of the course is spent in school where the training continues and students are given opportunities to develop and extend their skills. Both within university and in school, time is built in for students to meet with their tutors on a one-to-one basis to discuss their professional development.

As part of the course, students are expected to engage, on a variety of levels, with the course content and materials. Many of the sessions require active participation through, for example, dance and games in P.E. sessions, songs, games and practical activities in English, maths and science, and exploration of the local environment in R.E, history and geography. In contrast to this, you will be expected to have some familiarity with accessing library and online resources to support your research into different aspects of primary education in preparation for the completion of the assignments.

Formal assessment of the course takes place through observations of students' teaching, and their successful completion of assignments based on Assessment, and a data analysis and action planning. Linking theory and practice is a key feature of the course. Students also undertake a number of curriculum and wider professional-based tasks.

Initial Professional Development

Initial Professional Development (IPD): This part of the programme covers general aspects of becoming a teacher. It is largely lecture-based supported by discussion-based seminars with an assigned professional tutor. IPD develops the student teacher's knowledge and understanding of a range of key issues in education.

Enhancement Opportunities

Work Placement Opportunities

Approximately half of the course is spent in school where the training continues and students are given opportunities to develop and extend their skills. Both within university and in school, time is built in for students to meet with their tutors on a one-to-one basis to discuss their professional development.

School experience covers block placements in both key stages one and two. In addition, students are expected to complete a placement in an Early Years class and a Special Educational Needs setting.

Entry Requirements

PGCE applications available here

A minimum of a Second-Class Honours degree in a relevant discipline awarded by a UK university, or an equivalent higher education qualification.

Applicants should highlight how their degree subject relates to the primary National Curriculum.

GCSE Grade C or above in English, Mathematics and Science (Grade 4 or above in the new grading system). These can be pending but required before enrolment.

Alternative equivalency tests or assessments for English, mathematics and science (where required) may be considered to meet the GCSE requirements.  Please contact us for further information if you hold, or intend to apply for, an equivalency test or assessment.

Relevant experience in a school setting is beneficial for your application, but not essential.

Offers will be subject to a successful interview, as well as a Health Check Statement and an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (formally the Criminal Records Bureau – CRB).

International Entry Requirements

Non-UK applicants should achieve a minimum score of 6.0 overall with 6.0 in Reading and Writing mandatory, and 5.5 minimum in each sub-skill  in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment (or an equivalent assessment).

UK/Channel Island Tuition Fees

2025/26

Tuition fees for Home students are £9,250

Additional Costs

You may be expected to cover the cost of travelling to and from your placement. Costs vary depending on location.

Funding

LOANS

Funding is available to help you train to teach. You can apply for a:

• tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 to cover your teacher training, so you do not need to pay course fees upfront
• maintenance loan of up to £12,382 to help with living costs

You can still apply for a tuition fee and a maintenance loan if you already have a student loan, and regardless of whether you get a teaching bursary or scholarship.

You will only have to make loan repayments once you’re earning. Your repayments will not increase if you already have a student loan and take an additional loan for teacher training.

SCHOLARSHIPS & BURSARIES

You may be eligible for a teaching bursary or scholarship when training to teach.

These are tax-free amounts of money you receive to train in certain subjects. You do not need to pay them back.

You’ll need a first, 2:1, 2:2 degree or a PhD or master’s degree to be eligible for a bursary, as well as meeting the bursary scheme’s individual terms and conditions.

Find out more about your elibility for teacher training bursaries here

Careers

We aim to promote your understanding of the nature and theories of learning as well as of child development. We will challenge you to become a creative classroom practitioner in all subject areas and give you the skills to respond to the challenges of being a primary teacher.

The Teachers’ Standards support the training, assessment and award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Qualified Teacher Status is awarded to graduates who have been judged to have met all of the Teachers’ Standards in practice in the primary age phase.