14May
PostgraduateCourse summary
The University of Buckingham is:
- Home of the two-year degree, the University of Buckingham, based in the South East of England, is ranked 6th for Student Satisfaction in the UK (National Student Survey, 2020).
- We are proudly independent and not-for-profit, and offer courses in Allied Health, Business, Computing, Education, Humanities, Law, Medicine, Psychology and Security and Intelligence. We are one of the few universities in the UK that offer September and January start dates for almost all of our courses.
- Based in Buckingham on a riverside campus, we are only 20 minutes’ from Milton Keynes central station and a short drive from Bicester, Aylesbury, Banbury and Northampton. There is free parking on-site and we are within easy reach of London and Oxford.
- Our award-winning small class tutorials ensure every student is known by name and supported throughout their studies, including by dedicated personal tutors.
- As pioneers of the two-year degree, we offer a condensed version of the traditional three-year degree, meaning you can gain a full honours degree and complete your studies a whole year earlier. Alternatively, you can complete both your undergraduate and master’s degree with us in just three years: saving you time and money.
Assessment method
The Primary curriculum is informed by the Core Content Framework (CCF); trainees will gain experience in both core and foundation curriculum subjects, in order to give you the confidence, tools and knowledge to be a fully informed and evidence-based practice teacher. Our Primary PGCE with QTS programme will enable you to start teaching and build your confidence in the classroom. It will support you as you develop your identity as a teacher and help you to find and refine your own teaching style. “The course introduced me to teaching techniques and classroom strategies that I was able to implement immediately.” Patrick Shacklady, PGCE There are six days of residential training and two days of online learning, supplemented by a weekly programme on the University’s online resources. You need to be available to attend residential courses. Each trainee is assigned a University tutor who visits once per term to assess their progress and guide their development. Trainees are assessed against the Standards by both their mentor and their tutor. There are three essays to complete, carrying a total value of 60 Level 7 (Master’s) credits. For teachers undertaking their first year of teaching we highly recommend your participation in our Ab Initio course as an addition to the PGCE. This will provide you with some basic knowledge and skills to start teaching. “The vast range of support in place ensures you grow throughout the course.” Philip Pitcher, PGCE
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Primary
Entry requirements
You must be employed as a teacher in an independent or state-maintained primary school in England and be teaching the core subjects (English, maths and science) for a minimum of 50% of a full timetable. General primary trainees must be teaching the three core subjects across two consecutive key stages, and for the subject-specific course, trainees’ teaching time should be split 50:50 between the core subjects and their chosen specific subject. Every year, some of our applicants arrange to work in a primary school for the specific purpose of gaining this training, others have worked in the school for a year or more already. You will be expected to have the following qualifications: UK degree (2.2 or above). For equivalent qualifications, contact [email protected] to confirm that your qualification meets the University entry requirements GCSE in English Language, Maths and Science at grade C/4 or above or equivalent. For equivalent qualifications, contact [email protected] to confirm that your qualification meets the University entry requirements. In addition, you must: Attend an interview Demonstrate competence in literacy and numeracy Provide a reference from your headteacher supporting your application to undertake a PGCE Obtain the commitment from your school to release you for the second school placement and to provide a suitable mentor Provide a satisfactory criminal record check and show the physical and mental fitness to teach. The employing school must be able to fully support a candidate through the course, enabling them to demonstrate all of the Teachers’ Standards across the full age and ability range of training, and cannot be graded as inadequate.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £7500 | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £7500 | Whole course |
| Scotland | £7500 | Whole course |
| Wales | £7500 | Whole course |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Sponsorship information
The University would like to encourage students – both undergraduates and postgraduates – to come to Buckingham regardless of their financial circumstances. The bursaries and scholarships we offer are awarded on merit and/or on financial need. You may only accept one University award. All awards are subject to your meeting the University’s academic entry requirements and abiding by the University’s rules and regulations. To be eligible to apply for a scholarship you will need to have been offered a place to study at Buckingham. For details of our current range of scholarships and bursaries please see our website: https://www.buckingham.ac.uk/admissions/scholarships
Provider information
University of Buckingham
Hunter Street
Buckingham
MK18 1EG