Course summary
Gain the experience, opportunity and knowledge to teach in Key Stages 1 and 2 with the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship (Primary) + QTS with Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at the University of Reading. This full-time 10-month course, largely funded by the Apprenticeship Levy funding, ensures that you are embedded in school throughout and can earn while becoming a fully qualified teacher. You can also apply to complete this course with a specialism in either Early Years or Special Educational Needs. You will need to apply to your chosen specialism directly. The course leads to achievement of the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship and the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), qualifying you to teach children aged five to 11. This PGCE route provides the additional opportunity to study at Level 7 and gain 60 Master’s level credits. For more information, please visit our programme page: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/subject-area/education-pg/pgce-teacher-apprenticeship-primary
Modules
Sample modules may include:
- Practical Teaching: Shared Implementation – PGTA
- Practical Teaching: Guided Implementation – PGTA
- Practical Teaching: Independent Implementation – PGTA
- Reflective Practice
- Investigating Practice
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 are normally required to have at least a 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent qualification from a university outside the UK. You will need to have achieved Grade 4 (or C) or above in GCSE Mathematics, English Language and a Science subject, or equivalent qualifications. IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5 (or equivalent). As part of the application process for this programme, you will be required to attend an interview. Further information will be sent prior to the interview. Additional requirements Due to the funding rules for Apprenticeships, you will need to have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years. You will need to have undertaken satisfactory Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure and show the physical and mental fitness to teach. You must not already hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). You will need to be employed full-time within a school who will provide a work-based mentor and commit to Apprenticeship requirements, including to releasing you for a contrasting school placement. This placement will be in a contrasting school where you will spend a minimum of four weeks. You will need to complete an apprenticeship agreement with your employing school, and your school will need to complete an Employer Framework Agreement for the provision of Apprenticeships with the University of Reading.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £1540 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £1540 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1540 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £1540 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £1540 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £1540 | Year 1 |
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
The fee for 2026/27 is not yet available. The following information refers to the 2025/26 entry: the Teacher Apprenticeship aspect of this course is free to the apprentice, as the course cost of £9,000 is covered by Apprenticeship levy funding. The level 7 PGCE academic award cost for which the apprentice is responsible is £1,540..
Provider information
University of Reading
Whiteknights Campus
Reading
RG6 6UR