PGCE Initial Teacher Training Primary

Fees and funding

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.

Full-time PGDE 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.

Employability

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.

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.

The employment prospects of LJMU primary teacher training graduates are extremely positive.

The programmes provide opportunities for engagement with relevant local employment organisations including schools and teacher recruitment agencies through on-campus events and school-based placements. You are encouraged to join the relevant professional association for your area of study, extending your professional network.

Courses are, naturally, 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.

After completing your PGDE you can progress to the MA Education Practice programme for Newly Qualified Teachers which will enable you to complete a full MA during your first year of employment. LJMU also provides specialist Masters programmes in Advanced Educational Practice.

Having gained experience in teaching, a number of graduates move into associated professions such as educational psychology, consultancy, and in the education service sector outside of schools.

Teaching

An insight into teaching on your course

Study hours

University-based study includes:

• a full-time block of three weeks at the start of the course
• one day per week until January
• week-long, full-time study blocks between January and June
• a number of conference days

You will undertake a significant amount of independent study and preparation to support your course assignments and school-based work and should be prepared to work some evenings and weekends.

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 Teacher Mentor who will organise and supervise your school-based training. Your Mentor will be supported by your LJMU Tutor who will 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.

School-based 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.

Assessment

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.

Assessment methods include: critical reflections on research and practice, small scale research projects, the design and analysis of learning experiences, presentations and a portfolio of professional activities.

You will need to monitor your progression towards achieving the professional standards required for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and maintain a professional development portfolio.

A final assessment of your achievement of the Teachers standards required will be based on observation and assessment of your teaching practice and the evidence base that you develop during training.

Entry requirements

You will need:

Qualification requirements

Show all sections

Undergraduate degree

• a minimum 2:2 honours degree (or recognised equivalent)

GCSEs and equivalents

• GCSE English Language, Mathematics and Science at grade 4/C (or above) or equivalent qualifications – level 2 numeracy and literacy are not acceptable

• GCSE equivalency tests are accepted in English, Language, Maths and Science, but ONLY if results are officially received and can be verified PRIOR to application

• We will not consider candidates with pending GCSEs or equivalency tests

Additional requirements

• Assessment required
  • Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a selection event 
  • If you accept a formal offer from LJMU you will be required to meet the Department for Education’s standards for physical and mental fitness to teach and clearance to work with children

International requirements

• IELTS
  • IELTS score 7.0 (Minimum 6.5 in each component) - achieved prior to application

Further information

• Extra Requirements
  • a demonstrable interest in and enthusiasm for teaching within the primary age range. You could show this in a number of ways – time spent in schools, knowledge of the curriculum, relevant practical experience
  • Deferred entry for the next academic year is not accepted for this programme
• RPL

  RPL is not accepted on this programme

Application and selection

Securing your place at LJMU

If you want to join a PGDE or PGCE with us, you will need to apply through the Apply for Teacher Training service here https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training.

2023 Entry: 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 in each subject 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.