PGCE Primary Education (QTS)
Develop subject knowledge, practical teaching strategies, and make a positive impact on young lives. Gain extensive school experience in London and prepare for a rewarding teaching career
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Viewing course details for 2025 year of entry
- Code
- X100
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Start
- September 2025
- Fees
- £9,250 (UK)
- Duration
- 1 year full-time
- Course Leader
- Dr Anne Mulligan
- Study mode
- On campus
- Location
- Hendon campus
- Entry Requirements
- 2:2 degree
- Placement year
- Yes
- School / Department
- Education
Why choose PGCE Primary Education (QTS) at Middlesex?
Teaching in a primary school is one of the most rewarding careers you can have. You will be working with a team of teachers and other adults to support children (aged 5 to 11) to succeed inside and outside the classroom.
During this one-year full-time course, we emphasise the importance of developing strong subject knowledge and understanding of theory and pedagogy. You will gain a thorough understanding of the education system and practical teaching strategies as well as then have the opportunity to apply them. You will be introduced to further issues and strategies each week, which you will be able to investigate and apply in a practical setting before reflecting on the entire experience.
The course has been designed to include 120 days of school experience across the training year. We have excellent relationships with schools across London and the surrounding area. The nature of the course allows you to return to university to reflect on your practical application.
You will also benefit from the guidance of expert tutors who bring a wealth of professional experience to their teaching, and who are widely published across disciplines such as multilingualism, diversity and childhood development.
Our ambitious Primary PGCE curriculum has fully embedded the Core Content Framework for Initial Teacher Training. You will have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills required to fully meet the Teachers' Standards by the end of your training programme.
The teaching quality and individual support for students on the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programmes at Middlesex consistently produce the highest outcomes and very high employment rates of our trainees who typically gain their first teaching appointments during the courses.
Accreditations
Successful completion of this course leads to Qualified Teacher Status, allowing you to work in any state school in England. This means the course is professionally recognised for being of the highest quality, focused on developing the knowledge and skills that schools require.
This degree is accredited by the Teaching Regulation Agency, Department for Education.
What you will gain
Diverse teaching placements will help you to understand, critically evaluate and respond to the needs of children in multicultural, multilingual and multi-faith settings and schools in an international, urban environment.
We have excellent relationships with schools in north London, Essex and Hertfordshire. Many of our graduates start their first teaching post at the school where they completed a placement during the course. Our course gives you Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
You also will stay in contact with your tutors, allowing continual mentoring and mutual knowledge exchange.
Ofsted rating
Middlesex University goes ‘out of its way’ to support trainees on their journey to become qualified teachers. Ofsted assesses skills and education providers for the government and has awarded us with a good rating. Read more about our Ofsted rating.
“Subject tutors are experienced and knowledgeable, helping to ensure that trainees receive high-quality training.
A programme where course leaders have made sure that the ITE curriculum is ambitious in scope and content.”
Ofsted report 2024
3 great reasons to pick this course
About your course
The course is designed to include 120 days of school-based training. The rest of the course (60 days) is university-based. The school-based component will provide you with opportunities to teach across the 5-11 age range. Initially, you will assist the class teachers before taking responsibility for the classes for a substantial period in the spring and summer terms. You will be placed in our partnership schools where teachers have been trained to act as mentors to support and assess you.
Compulsory
This module enables students to develop and demonstrate their progress in the understanding and skills necessary to operate as an effective teacher across the Primary age range. As such, it supports students in demonstrating they are making progress towards meeting current professional requirements under the Teachers’ Standards when teaching Primary aged children. This includes developing students’ knowledge and understanding of the full Primary curriculum alongside development of effective teaching, learning and assessment approaches.
Students will develop reflective perspectives on teacher identity and empowering pedagogies in practice. They will explore aspects of inclusive practices in the classroom, encouraging reflection on cultural responsivity.
This module introduces students to the role of research in developing best practice in teaching and learning drawing particularly on theories and ideas about how young people learn. Students will also develop knowledge, understanding and skills for effective teaching of the Primary phase and the module content will contribute towards their development of deep subject and curriculum knowledge. It addresses the emphasis for trainee teachers to appreciate and understand the role of research-based practice for developing effective teaching and learning approaches. In addition, the module will introduce students to strategies to support their development as critically reflective teachers.
The module is linked with using the best research evidence to underpin an intensive focus on a particular teaching and learning approach.
This module develop further students’ subject and curriculum knowledge for teaching by exploring the principles of curriculum choice, sequencing and enriching learning. Students will draw upon literature from related disciplinary areas in addition to key education literature and develop specialist knowledge about curriculum planning and supporting progression in learning for all learners. Simultaneously students will deepen their knowledge and understanding of selected subject areas.
The module supports students to achieve the current requirements for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). It enables students to deepen their understanding and develop the skills necessary to operate as critically reflective teachers.
This module enables students to develop and demonstrate their progress in the understanding and skills necessary to operate as an effective teacher across the Primary age range. As such, it supports students in demonstrating they are making progress towards meeting current professional requirements under the Teachers’ Standards when teaching Primary aged children. This includes developing students’ knowledge and understanding of the full Primary curriculum alongside development of effective teaching, learning and assessment approaches.
Students will develop reflective perspectives on teacher identity and empowering pedagogies in practice. They will explore aspects of inclusive practices in the classroom, encouraging reflection on cultural responsivity.
This module introduces students to the role of research in developing best practice in teaching and learning drawing particularly on theories and ideas about how young people learn. Students will also develop knowledge, understanding and skills for effective teaching of the Primary phase and the module content will contribute towards their development of deep subject and curriculum knowledge. It addresses the emphasis for trainee teachers to appreciate and understand the role of research-based practice for developing effective teaching and learning approaches. In addition, the module will introduce students to strategies to support their development as critically reflective teachers.
The module is linked with using the best research evidence to underpin an intensive focus on a particular teaching and learning approach.
This module develop further students’ subject and curriculum knowledge for teaching by exploring the principles of curriculum choice, sequencing and enriching learning. Students will draw upon literature from related disciplinary areas in addition to key education literature and develop specialist knowledge about curriculum planning and supporting progression in learning for all learners. Simultaneously students will deepen their knowledge and understanding of selected subject areas.
The module supports students to achieve the current requirements for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). It enables students to deepen their understanding and develop the skills necessary to operate as critically reflective teachers.
More about your course
To find out more about this course, please download the PGCE Primary Education (QTS) specification (PDF).
Register your interest
Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.
Teaching
You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.
The course is designed to provide 120 days in schools with a minimum of two school placement periods. Each placement provides a sustained teaching experience over the complete teaching week. You might also have the opportunity to undertake an optional enrichment placement in a SEN/D school.
The remaining 60 days of the course are university-based. The course will comprise a range of presentations, discussions and practical workshops where exemplar material can be selected from a specialised subject context.
Other university learning activities include lectures, webinars, one-to-one tutorials and group projects.
Your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with life commitments and independent study.
We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions
You will be based at our north London campus in Hendon and your school-based placement.
The university-based modules are assessed by coursework. The Professional Practice is assessed against the standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Each module is assessed on a pass/fail basis. All modules are compulsory and must be passed. You do not have an automatic right to reassessment for the Professional Practice module.
The Professional Practice module assess your ability to demonstrate you are able to apply the knowledge, understanding and skills of the ITE curriculum to your teaching practice, and fully meet the Teachers' Standards by the end of your training programme.
We have a strong support network online and on campus to help you develop your academic skills. We offer one-to-one and group sessions to develop your learning skills together with academic support from our library, IT teams and learning experts.
You'll evaluate your work, skills and knowledge and identify areas for improvement. Sometimes you'll work in groups and assess each other's progress.
Each term, you'll get regular feedback on your learning.
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North London campus
Our north London campus is 23 minutes away by underground train, travelling from London Kings Cross.
Learn moreFacilities and support
Our Sheppard Library provides a wide range of resources and support to help you to succeed in your studies.
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Over 1,000 study spaces including rooms for group study and over 500 computers available.
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We have one of London's biggest and best university campuses with everything you need in one place.
Our facilitiesStudent support
We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.
Additional needs
We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.
Wellness
Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.
Work while you study
Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.
Careers
How can the PGCE Primary Education (QTS) support your career?
Our university's postgraduate courses have been recognised for their ability to support your career.
Employment rates are extremely high. Typically over 95% of our PGCE graduates are in employment or further study six months after graduation. (Graduate Outcomes 2022).
Career paths
After completing this course, you'll be able to apply for a position as an early career teacher (ECT) in a primary school setting.
As a newly qualified teacher, your salary will be between £25,714 and £32,157, depending on where you teach.
Teachers can find career progression in both the classroom and the school's management structure. You might aspire to become the head of a department, age group or curriculum. By developing your leadership skills and experience, you could progress to a senior management position, such as deputy head or head teacher.
For more information on salary and career progression, visit the Department for Education's website
MDXworks
MDXworks, our employability service, will help you make the most of your experience and connections to achieve your career goals. You'll have unlimited access to one-to-one advice and support from specialists in your sector plus 24/7 online support. You can also make the most of events and networking opportunities, on and off campus.
Global alumni network
Our London location helps us connect with over 1,000 industry partners to develop our students’ future employment prospects.
At Middlesex, you’ll study with students from 122 countries who’ll hopefully become part of your global network. After you graduate, we'll support you through our alumni network to help you progress in your chosen career.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
We welcome your application regardless of your background or experience.
For this course, ideally, we are looking for a 2:2 honours degree or above – all subjects considered.
Further requirements
The following requirements are set out in the Initial Teacher Training Criteria document. You must have:
- GCSE grade C / grade 4 or above in English, science and mathematics or standard equivalent
- We also accept the equivalency tests by Equivalency Testing, A Star Teachers or any other appropriately accredited provider. We cannot accept functional skills or key skills or IELTS.
- Been subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced disclosure check and/or any other appropriate background check.
We recommend that you gain some experience of working in a school context before you start the course. Recent experience in a primary school setting will support you in making the right career choice and, if completed prior to your interview, will support you in your ability to contribute to the tasks during the selection process.
We welcome students from the UK and all over the world. Join students from over 122 countries and discover why so many international students call our campus home:
- Quality teaching with top facilities plus flexible online learning
- Welcoming north London campus that's only 30 minutes from central London
- Work placements and networking with top London employers
- Career support to get you where you want to go after university.
Here are the qualifications relevant for this course:
- A 2:2 honours degree or above – all subjects considered
- Graduate-level professional qualifications.
English language
You'll need good English language skills to study with us. We cannot accept IELTS on this course. Find out more about our English language requirements.
Visas
International students can apply for a student visa to train to teach in England if they are undertaking an unsalaried initial teacher training (ITT) course and:
they have an unconditional offer from a licensed sponsoring institution
they can financially support themselves in the UK and pay for their course
they meet the English language requirements for the student visa.
Find out more about the student route visa.
Safer recruitment
We are committed to keeping children and young people safe from harm. Our recruitment processes adhere to the principles of safer recruitment – we implement robust and safe recruitment practices which support the identification and rejection of any applicants who are unsuitable to work with children and young people. We will respond to any concerns about the suitability of applicants during the recruitment process.
Please apply through Department for Education’s Apply for Teacher Training website. More information about the process can be found on the Get into Teaching website.
Once we've considered your application, successful applicants will be invited to the next phase of the process, which is an interview. Invites will be sent by e-mail, so please check your e-mail account regularly, including spam folders.
If you are successful at the interview, you will then be offered a place on the course subject to academic, health and police check requirements.
Lead Partner schools
We also have a small number of Lead Partner schools who recruit to PGCE programmes on behalf of Middlesex University. You can find schools offering these opportunities on DfE Find and Apply. If you are interested to apply via the Lead Partner route, you need to apply to the Lead Partner school via DfE and Apply. If you apply via the Lead Partner route, you would undertake your school-based training placement in the Lead Partner school or one of its linked schools. Otherwise the Lead Partner route provides access to the PGCE programme as described on this course page.
Personal statements
Make sure that you highlight your best qualities in your personal statement that are relevant to this course. Such as forward-thinking, creative and collaborative.
Interviews
Entry onto this course requires an interview. We use the interview to find out more about you, to better understand your aspirations and interests, and to explore why you want to study with us.
At the interview stage, your suitability for teaching will be judged, including your subject knowledge for teaching and your potential to demonstrate proficiency with fundamental English and mathematics. If we identify any shortfall, you may be required to complete some additional work before starting the course. During the course, your subject knowledge and fundamental English and mathematics will be developed and assessed to ensure you reach the required level.
Interviews will be either held on campus or arranged virtually.
Exceptions
You can also apply through Department for Education’s Teacher Training website for:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
- Lead Partner Routes (School Direct salaried, Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship or fee-funded PGCE)
Find out more
Find out how to apply for postgraduate taught courses and watch our step-by-step video.
Admissions questions? Ask us a question now via the live chat icon on the screen.
Fees and funding
The fees below are for the 2025/26 academic year.
UK students1
Full-time students: £9,250
Loans and bursaries
UK students can apply for a tuition fee loan which covers your fees and is only repayable after your graduate. In addition, UK students may be eligible for additional grants and loans including those from:
- The Department for Education - on the Department for Education website you will find a full list of designated ITT subjects and funding offers.
Additional costs
We cover your costs for the day-to-day things that you need to do well in your studies.
- Free – laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing
- Free specialist software for your course
- Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.
Financial support
We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.
Postgraduate scholarships
You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:
- The Alumni Postgraduate Award – for all UK/EU Middlesex alumni a 20% fee reduction
- The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
- The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
- The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
- Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees
Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.
Work while you study
If you are not currently working, we can help you find work that fits around your studies and other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above.
Fees disclaimers
1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.
Get answers from our Unibuddy student ambassadors
We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.