PGCE Primary 5-11 (with QTS)
PGCE
Key facts
Department
Accreditation(s)
The Department for Education and The Teaching Regulation Agency
Overview
Great teachers make a difference to the lives of every child they teach everyday. Crucially, they have the knowledge, skills and understanding to teach excellent lessons - that have a positive impact on all pupils.
By developing your knowledge and understanding of research, with an unrelenting focus on what makes a difference in the classroom, you will develop a strong theoretical framework to your practice. Your practice, refined both on-campus and on-placement, will draw directly on this research.
When you train to teach at Oxford Brookes, you will join a course whose graduates inspire thousands of children and lead in hundreds of schools across Oxfordshire and beyond. School leaders know our graduates are well-prepared to meet the high standards expected of them in our schools, with a broad range of on-campus and on-placement teaching and learning preparing them to make a difference in the lives of every child they teach, every day.
How to apply
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
GCSE: GCSEs or equivalents: achieve a standard of grade 4 or higher in English, Mathematics and Science (Science with Chemistry, Science with Physics, Science with Biology).
- A recognised UK degree, or degree equivalent, normally at second class honours.
- Additional DBS and Health teaching checks are completed prior to your enrolment. Once you have accepted an offer from Oxford Brookes you will notified to complete your Health and DBS checks preceding your enrolment; you will receive your DBS notification by email in May.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
Screening
All applicants will be screened for fitness to practise and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be made.
Selection process
A successful application leads to a teaching interview invite from Oxford Brookes University. A successful interview will secure your place on your chosen PGCE Primary course.
Your teaching interview will be remote (online).
You’ll receive an interview date invite. That contains interview advice/guidance and example questions. Please confirm your interview date as soon as possible.
Then your academic interviewer will contact you with a 30min 1-1 Zoom interview invite between 10.00 - 17.00 on your interview day. Please also accept this invite.
Before your interview you need to select a picture book that you will discuss in your interview. You'll also need your photographic ID to hand to show the academic interviewer.
At 09:00 on your interview day you will receive a recorded introductory talk from the course leader. Please watch this video.
Enjoy your interview and ask questions, it’s your chance to find out about us.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.
Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.
If you need to improve your English language, we offer pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Application process
Apply for this course through DfE Apply.
You will receive a communication from us inviting you to an interview day if your application is successful. Due to current Covid restrictions we are running virtual online interviews at the moment.
A successful interview will lead to you receiving an offer for a place on this course.
When you apply for the course, we recommend that you have school experience. Applicants should have insights into the primary classroom with school experience. Though this is not compulsory for applicants.
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.
Compulsory costs
Additional costs | Amount (£) |
---|---|
Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) initial check | £54 |
Physical Education and School Sport (PESS) specialism. Optional kit is available to purchase. | £40-90 |
Optional costs
Additional costs | Amount (£) |
---|---|
Travel and associated costs if relevant when undertaking work placements. | £30-700 per year |
3-day Outdoor Education Residential in South Wales (inc. food, accommodation, travel, equipment and tuition) | £180 |
Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) top-up check (to keep up to date) | £13 |
It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required. Please note that a lot of the coursework is now submitted online. |
From £30 |
You may choose to purchase books to support your studies. Many books on our reading lists are available via the Library, or can be purchased secondhand. | £20-60 per book |
Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills) |
£94-265 per week |
Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs) |
£122-180 per week |
Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography. Gowns are not compulsory but typically students do hire robes, starting at £41. |
Typically £0-200 |
Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes. BrookesBus travel is subsidised for full-time undergraduate students that are on a course with a fee of £9,250 or more, or living in an Oxford Brookes hall of residence. There is an administration fee for the production of a BrookesKey. |
From £8 |
Funding your studies
Financial support and scholarships
Featured funding opportunities available for this course.
Oxford Brookes alumni may be eligible for a 10% fees discount on postgraduate study.
General sources of funding and fees for postgraduate students.
All financial support and scholarships
Learning and assessment
On this course, you'll establish your own teaching style. You'll explore teaching theory and build hands-on practitioner skills. And you'll receive support and guidance from highly experienced tutors all the way through.
You'll carry out up to 5 placements across the 5-11 age range. On your school placements you'll practice different techniques and approaches, helping you develop your unique teaching style. You'll be exposed to a wide range of classrooms, and will build professional relationships with many other practitioners.
Your learning will always be underpinned by the latest developments in education research. And you'll have the option to dive deeper into the primary curriculum as you progress, with the option to specialise in areas like:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Music
- Physical Training
- or Special Education and Needs
Ofsted has commended the 'outstanding support' our trainee teachers receive - from those with experience in education to students who are completely new to teaching.

Study modules
You’ll take three Master’s level modules on the course. These are specialist modules where you’ll start developing advanced practitioner skills, and include:
- Professional learning
- Examining key debates in teaching
- The role of research in education and evidence in teaching.
These modules add up to one third of an MA (60 credits), setting you up for future professional development.
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Learning and teaching
Your training will challenge you in many different ways which is why we have many different forms of support to aid you on your progression to becoming a teacher.
University lecturers, who are all highly experienced primary practitioners, will provide excellent support for your academic work, personal development and wellbeing. Teacher mentors will provide advice and guidance whilst you are on placement. The trainees on the course work closely together and develop strong support networks. The wider university network also has a broad range of support for all enrolled students.
You’ll graduate with Qualified Teacher Status and specialist skills that can make a meaningful difference in children’s lives.
And through the course, you’ll become part of an inclusive and vibrant community of trainee teachers and experienced practitioners. You’ll be able to rely on this community for support and advice throughout your training.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
Your course assessment is based on:
- Coursework
- Assignments
- School Placements
- Reaching the standard for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Your academic modules will be assessed by written assignments - where you’ll explore theory and practice. This will give you the practical knowledge and skills to teach primary school pupils.
You’ll also be assessed through your school placements, where successful completion includes your attendance on the placement for the required number of days across your chosen age range.
Research
The School of Education is a thriving centre for educational research and teacher professional development. Students on master's level programmes therefore join a large research community comprising researchers at all levels of higher education study.
We hold two major research conferences each year - the School of Education Research Conference and the EdD Colloquium. All students are invited to attend our annual Research
Seminar Series (which attracts both internal and external speakers). We also organise a number of conferences, lectures, seminars and debates, some of which have an international reach.
The School’s six research groups exist to encourage engagement in research, publication, conference presentations, seminars and workshops:
- Inclusion and Wellbeing
- Policy, Partnership and Leadership
- STEAM pedagogy and learning
- Humanistic Perspectives on Education
- Early Years
- Applied Linguistics

After you graduate
Career prospects
Teaching is a career where you can make a real difference to children’s lives. And you’ll finish this course with the skills and confidence to become an outstanding primary teacher, ready to start your teaching career.
You’ll develop strong relationships with teachers and school leaders at multiple schools during your placements. And you’ll graduate with a solid professional network, that will help you secure your first teaching role.
Professional Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Teaching Regulation Agency to grant Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in the UK. You will be provisionally registered with the Teaching Regulation Agency at the beginning of your course. Students who successfully complete the course will be recommended for QTS.
Please be aware that following the UK's departure from the European Union, QTS awarded by UK higher education institutions is not currently recognised in the EU.
Student profiles
Related courses
Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been
published on the website. For more information, please visit our
changes to programmes page.