About this course
Become a superb Primary teacher at LJMU. Graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for the 3-7 or 5-11 age range (PE and mathematics specialisms are available for the 5-11 age range).
- Prepare for a career as an innovative and creative teacher of 3-7 or 5-11 year olds (see Details tab for range of courses)
- Enjoy placements supported by excellent teacher mentors
- Spend 120 days on school placement
- Become an inquisitive, creative and reflective practitioner
- Study full-time, over 10 months;
- Spend 120 days in a 'Home School' placement with a mid-course 'Alternative' placement to ensure experience in a range of school settings.
Our PGCE Primary programmes are designed to prepare you for a career as an innovative and creative teacher. You will be trained by highly experienced academic staff and school mentors.
Our philosophy of 3-7 teaching centres around a commitment to learning and teaching through play and interaction. This is a challenging and rigorous approach, which requires high level planning, organisation, intervention and assessment.
Training to teach the 5-11 age range enables you to explore pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning across all national curriculum subjects with a particular focus on the core subjects, including the teaching of phonics. You can also apply for 5-11 with a specialism in mathematics or PE.
The professional experience you acquire during your studies, alongside University input will enable you to develop your ability to plan, teach and manage learning in different settings and socio-economic contexts.
The University has a well-established reputation for delivering innovative approaches to teacher education. Our academic team is made up of successful teachers who maintain strong links with schools and professional bodies, ensuring you receive the most up-to-date training and key insights into the field during your course.
Our emphasis is on developing teachers who are reflective practitioners able to apply a deep understanding of the curriculum, learners and learning to provide the very best and most appropriate learning opportunities for all children, with a positive impact on their development and achievement.
The professional experience you acquire during your studies, alongside University input will enable you to develop your ability to plan, teach and manage learning in different settings and socio-economic contexts.
Courses can be viewed on the government's Get into Teaching website.
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Optional Modules
Becoming a Professional Teacher (3-7)
20 credits
20 credits
This module focuses on the teaching placement (minimum 120 days) in a Home School and Alternate Placement, including the tracking and recording of mentoring and progress in relation to the Core Content Framework and assessment against the Teachers' Standards. To pass the module and meet the competency requirements, student teachers must pass the placement experience and triangulation process. Student teachers must also complete an Early Career Profile (ECP) outlining targets for early career development
Becoming a Professional Teacher (5-11)
20 credits
20 credits
This module focuses on the teaching placement (minimum 120 days) in a Home School and Alternate Placement, including the tracking and recording of mentoring and progress in relation to the Core Content Framework and assessment against the Teachers' Standards. To pass the module and meet the competency requirements, student teachers must pass the placement experience and triangulation process. Student teachers must also complete a Early Career Profile (ECP) outlining targets for early career development.
Reflecting on learning, teaching and assessment (3-7)
40 credits
40 credits
This module develops student teachers as critical reflective practitioners, developing knowledge and expertise of key subject and / or phase teaching approaches to learning, teaching and assessment.
Reflecting on learning, teaching and assessment (5-11)
40 credits
40 credits
This module develops student teachers as critical reflective practitioners, developing knowledge and expertise of key subject and / or teaching approaches to learning and teaching.
Education and Schooling
20 credits
20 credits
This module provides an option to complete a postgraduate Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme with an alternative exit award WITHOUT recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). In this module, students will develop a critical understanding of the contemporary policy landscape of education and schooling in England, with reference to educational research and scholarship, informed by personal observation of practice.
Pathways to QTS
- Primary Key Stage 1/2 (5-11 years) with QTS
- Primary Foundation Stage/Key Stage 1 (3-7 years) with QTS
- Primary with Mathematics Specialism (5-11 years) with QTS
- Primary with Physical Education Specialism (5-11 years) with QTS
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
Pathways to QTS
- Primary Key Stage 1/2 (5-11 years) with QTS
- Primary Foundation Stage/Key Stage 1 (3-7 years) with QTS
- Primary with Mathematics Specialism (5-11 years) with QTS
- Primary with Physical Education Specialism (5-11 years) with QTS
Study hours
University-based study includes:
- a full-time block of three weeks at the start of the course in September
- one day per week until January
- six one-week study blocks at university between October and June
- a number of conference days throughout the year
You will undertake a significant amount of independent study and preparation to support your course assignments and school-based work (planning, preparation and assessment).
Teaching methods
You will learn via lectures, seminars, interactive workshops, group discussion and reflection, problem solving and micro-teaching. You will also make use of our online learning environment.
You will be allocated a mentor who will organise and supervise your school-based training. Your mentor will be supported by your LJMU Liaison Tutor who will stay in regular contact throughout the course and visit your school several times to monitor your progress. Additional professional development sessions are organised in school during placements.
Tutorial support is an important part of the LJMU learning process and you will receive a personalised service that will enable you to set targets and achieve your potential. Your Personal Tutor will support your academic and professional development and will meet with you formally during the year.
Applied learning
You will spend 120 days spent on school placement.
Placements are organised in our partnership schools in the Greater Merseyside area. For the majority of the training you will gain your teaching experience in a 'Home School' with a six week placement in an 'alternative' school after Christmas.
Your school training involves the preparation and delivery of learning sequences and lessons to small groups and whole classes of learners, with expectations and workload increasing during the course. This work is supported by a Teacher-Mentor who will enhance your professional learning experience in school.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
Where you will study
What you can expect from your School
You will have access to all of the classroom and teaching facilities provided by your placement schools as well as the expertise of educational professionals at LJMU.
Based in the new Education Building in the heart of the Mount Pleasant campus, the School of Education features a wide range of cutting-edge facilities, including a pedagogy room, lecture rooms, computing facilities and a nearby Outdoor Learning Zone for our Natural Curriculum projects. Students also benefit from independent study spaces, a close-by cafeteria and library, and access to student welfare and support.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
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Lecturer/Senior Lecturer -
Lecturer -
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
Teacher Training employment prospects at LJMU are extremely good, with most subjects exceeding the national averages.
The PGCE course is intended for those preparing to enter the teaching profession and most of our students go on to achieve their career goal, working in state or independent schools and colleges. Teaching provides a variety of pathways leading to specialist roles ranging from pastoral to subject leadership and on into school leadership positions.
Having gained teaching experience, a number of graduates move into associated professions such as educational psychology, consultancy, and in the education service sector outside of schools.
Professional accreditation/links
Our Initial Teacher Education courses are monitored by Ofsted - the Office for Standards in Education.
In June 2023, Primary Initial Teacher Training received a “good” rating following a rigorous 4-day inspection. Ofsted noted many strengths in provision, which are noted below.
Leaders have worked with great care and attention in designing their ITE curriculum. They have thought carefully about how to embed the DfE’s core content framework into each of the primary-phase programmes. Leaders work closely and effectively with partner schools to decide what trainees should learn in the centre- and school-based training. Across all Primary programmes, leaders use experts from schools to help to teach student teachers.
Primary student teachers develop a confident, well-informed understanding of early reading, including of Systematic Synthetic Phonics. Tutors provide guidance on how to select and use a rich range of literature to inspire pupils about reading, such as stories written by authors from diverse backgrounds. Student teachers fully understand how to build on children’s early communication and language development.
The primary-phase ITE programmes are taught by expert tutors and trainers. Leaders make sure that their staff actively participate in the work of national organisations and subject networks. Students value the input given to them by tutors and trainers about pertinent education research that will help them in their careers.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees:
- Home fee:
- £18,250
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
- International fee:
- £18,250
International Scholarships and payment plans
Liverpool John Moores University is committed to supporting international students by providing a range of scholarships and flexible payment plans to help students manage their tuition fees.
Scholarships
LJMU provides a variety of scholarships to support international students. Scholarships are available to self-funded students who have accepted their offer and met all the conditions outlined in their offer letter. Students must also demonstrate that they can cover living costs, travel, and other expenses associated to studying at the university. Postgraduate scholarships include tuition fee reductions and are often offered in partnership with external funding organisations.
All self-funded international students are eligible for an automatic scholarship worth up to £4,000. For more details and to view our full list of scholarships, visit the international scholarship webpages.
Deposit
All students must pay a £5,000 deposit before they can receive their CAS letter.
For more information view our deposit page.
Tuition Fee Payment Plan
After paying their £5,000 deposit, students have the option to pay their fees in full or in three equal instalments minus any internal scholarships and discounts. There are two payment options available for international students. You can either pay your tuition fees in full before enrolment or opt for a payment plan. With the payment plan, you can pay your fees in three instalments after making your £5,000 deposit. The first instalment is due before enrolment.
All payments should be made through Flywire. Full details can be found in the How to Pay Guide.
Early Bird Tuition Fee discount
We are excited to introduce a £500 Early Payment Discount to all self-funded international students. Eligible self-funded students who pay their fees by the required deadlines will get a discount which will be automatically deducted from the 1st year of tuition fees.
To see the required deadlines please visit the webpage
Full-time PGCE students are eligible for the same range of financial support as undergraduate students.
You will have access to:
- a non means-tested student loan to cover your tuition fees
- a means-tested student loan to help cover your living expenses
- a means-tested maintenance grant, which does not have to be paid back
- a means-tested LJMU Bursary worth up to £500, which does not have to be paid back
For the latest information about bursaries and funding, please visit the Get Into Teaching website.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
Have a first-degree classification normally a minimum of 2.2 Honours or equivalent from a UK university, or equivalent overseas qualification
GCSEs and equivalents
Have at least a grade C/4 or above in GCSE English Language, Mathematics and Science or their equivalent (which must be approved by LJMU)
Further information
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Extra Requirements
Receipt of satisfactory Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Certificate prior to enrolment.
Completion of a medical questionnaire, for medical clearance by the LJMU Occupational Health team, to confirm Fitness to Teach.
If an applicant needs to improve their subject knowledge, they may be asked to complete a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course.
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RPL
RPL is not accepted on this programme
International requirements
IELTS
IELTS overall 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in each component)
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
If you want to join a PGCE with us, you will need to apply through the Apply for Teacher Training service here https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training
Courses can be viewed on the government's Get into Teaching website. Given the popularity of some specialisms and the limited number of places, we recommend applying as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Applicants will be assessed for their:
- depth of relevant subject knowledge
- potential to work effectively at Masters level
- ability to work with others in teams
- ability to manage people and projects
Applicants will be expected to demonstrate:
- an interest and enthusiasm for their chosen subject area
- the ability to make learning exciting and meaningful to young people in a range of contexts
- commitment to supporting learners in areas of challenging social context
- enthusiasm and resilience
Location
You should live within reasonable travelling distance of the University and our partner schools for the duration of the course.
Selection events
Our selection events will comprise of an individual interview. Prior to interview, you will be required to complete and pass a Mathematics assessment for those applying for a specialism in Mathematics.
Full details of the interview process will be sent to you in advance of the selection event.
Prior to entry
You will need to meet the Department for Education's standards for physical and mental fitness to teach and clearance to work with children. Further information, including a Declaration of Health questionnaire and details of how to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure, will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.
Your student experience
There's so much more to university than just studying for a degree.
Postgraduate life at LJMU
See the amazing support you will get from the university, the academic expertise of the staff here, the first-class learning environment, fabulous libraries, excellent career guidance and their ongoing love affair with the city of Liverpool.
Accommodation
As a new student at LJMU, we guarantee accommodation right in the heart of the dynamic city centre, with easy access to the main University campuses.
You can view our approved accommodation to see the halls that we offer to new students.
Your campus
We’re very proud of our campuses. Not only because they provide a modern and inspiring learning space for all our students but also because they’re a place people really want to be.
Living in Liverpool
Liverpool is one of Europe's most dynamic and cultured cities. Come find out why it's a great city to study in.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes.
Sports, societies and lifestyle
Getting involved in sports, clubs and societies at Liverpool John Moores University is a great way to challenge yourself, meet people who share your interests, and feel more connected to the University community.
Talk to our students
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See what our students are saying
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News and views
Browse through the latest stories and updates from the University and beyond
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.