Primary with QTS, PGCert

Applicants for the Primary PGCE are required to have achieved the following prior to admission to the programme:

• An honours degree at a minimum of 2:2 in a relevant curriculum subject, or a related subject;
• Grade C GCSE in English/Welsh (students applying for the Welsh medium programme will be required to have a GCSE in Welsh);
• Grade C GCSE in Maths
• Grade C GCSE in Science

The GCSE Grade C in English/Welsh and Mathematics are a requirement set by the Welsh Government.

All interviews will be held virtually (using Microsoft Teams) with a PGCE primary specialist through the medium of English or Welsh as desired. The format will consist of a short interview and professional discussion.

All PGCE students will complete a Digital Competence audit on enrolment and have digital competence training embedded into their PGCE programme of study.

All applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check. Applicants must not have been excluded from teaching or working with children nor be registered with the DBS as unfit for working with children or young persons (please see additional costs section).

All applicants must meet the requirements of the Education Health Standards (Wales) confirming their health and physical capacity to teach (please see additional costs section).

International applicants

Completing the PGCE programme in the UK does not provide ‘Leave to Remain’ status to work as a teacher within the UK. Applicants should familiarise themselves with the UK Visa and Immigration Service regulations and requirements that apply to study and post-study in the UK.

Successful completion of the Swansea University Schools Partnership Initial Teacher Education programme leads to (i) the award of a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and (ii) a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status and registration with the Education Workforce Council for Wales. Applicants should consult with the relevant education service or government department to enquire if completion of a PGCE in a UK University will allow them to teach in their home country or any other country outside the UK.

Applicants typically require an overall IELTS (or equivalent) test score of 7.0 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component (writing, reading, speaking and listening).

The programme will be delivered on a full-time basis by the Swansea University Schools Partnership, which comprises Swansea University, Lead and Network schools located across South Wales and the Academi Hywel Teifi. 

The delivery model provides the opportunity for Primary PGCE students to have a broad experience of the primary phase before offering them one of three specialist options, namely Foundation Phase, Key Stage 2 or All-Age. The rationale for this approach is the recognition of the changing educational landscape in Wales and the introduction of more All-Age schools across Wales.

Student teachers will be trained as primary practitioners first and foremost, with the opportunity to then develop deeper curriculum and pedagogical knowledge within their preferred age range and phase.

Learning sessions will be interactive to encourage student participation, active engagement, and peer-to-peer interaction and collaboration where appropriate. The lectures and tutorials will be designed to cater to a diverse range of learners, recognising the range of experiences postgraduate students will bring to the programme. This will be reflected through the design and content of the teaching sessions, as well as the learning materials. Learning and teaching methods will comprise whole cohort, small group and individual learning approaches including collaborative learning and close to practice research. All modules will provide opportunities to investigate, practice, discuss and apply knowledge and skills. For example, student teachers will explore scenarios such as reporting to parents through problem-based group discussion activities.

The programme is research informed and will employ a variety of learning formats that promote inclusive and collaborative learning.

At least 40 credits

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study at least 40 credits of this postgraduate course through the medium of Welsh. Many University departments develop and offer Welsh medium or bilingual modules as part of their courses so you will need to discuss the possibilities with the relevant Programme Director. You can study a module or modules through the medium of Welsh where possible or submit your dissertation in Welsh with guidance from a subject specialist through the medium of Welsh.

Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:

• Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
• Access to the Arwain mobile app for the latest information about Welsh-medium courses and modules available to download free on the App Store and Google Play.
• An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
• Personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
• The option to create and submit your coursework or sit exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be assessed in Welsh.
• A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
• One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
• An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
• Membership of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Visit the Welsh Language Rights webpage for further information about Students' Welsh Language Rights.

Continuing to study through the medium of Welsh will be:

• a natural step for you if you have studied through the medium of Welsh at undergraduate level.
• a way of maximizing your chances of getting the best education.
• a way of receiving a high level of support as the study groups are smaller.
• a valuable addition to your CV and career development.

Our degrees are taught by experts, who have a wealth of knowledge to pass on to our students.

You can find out more about our academic expertise on our staff pages.

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

• Travel to and from placement schools
• If you are offered a place you will also need an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, or approved equivalent. Please see our DBS Application Guidance page for more details.
• If you are offered a place, you will also need to complete a health questionnaire which forms part of the fitness to practice as a teacher test process. The questionnaire requires input from your general practitioner and they might charge for this service. 

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

• Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
• Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
• Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
• Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
• Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

As this is a professional training programme leading to the recommendation for QTS, it is expected that student teachers completing the programme will enter the teaching profession. Numbers of funded student teacher places are set by Welsh Government and are decided according to their analysis of workforce needs in Wales.

All student teachers will be issued with a Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) detailing their academic and extracurricular activities. This can be used to supplement their CV.

In addition to professional skills, the programme develops the following personal attributes:

• Research acquisition and enquiry skills
• Time management skills
• Personal organisational and motivational skills
• Effective communication skills
• Problem solving and analysis
• Negotiation, teamwork and ability to adapt

 Student teachers will develop:

• Initiative
• Innovation
• Decision making skills
• The ability to think and act critically

 In the event that student teachers do not wish to pursue a career in teaching or do not reach the expected standard during the programme, they will be encouraged to access the support provided by the Swansea Employability Academy, Careers Service to assist with alternative career planning and to develop their employability outside the teaching profession. 

Successful completion of the PGCE Primary will lead to recommendation to the Education Workforce Council for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and provides opportunities for employment as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) in schools.

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

A number of strategies in the Faculty support student teachers’ academic development and progression – please refer to the 'Academic Support During Your PGCE' section below.

All PGCE Primary applications must be made via UCAS - please click the Apply button at the top of this page to begin your application. 

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

Make a postgraduate enquiry 

International students contact our International Team 

Placements are a compulsory element of the Primary PGCE programme and student teachers will be placed in Lead and Network schools across South Wales with which we have established a partnership agreement.

Placement Schedule

Students will be required to undertake:

1. School placement 1 - 57 working days in Semesters 1 and 2 that incorporates 10 Practice And Theory days.

2. School placement 2 – 64 working days in Semester 2 that incorporates 1 research day, 1 network reflection day and a 5 day alternative setting placement to include special schools or SEN facilities on school premises, pupil referral units, Welsh medium and other age phase institutions.

Student teachers on the programme will be assigned a Personal Tutor who will provide academic support in accordance with the University’s personal tutoring system. This will include 4 meetings between students and their Personal Tutor each academic year.

ITE University Tutors will undertake the role of PAM to students on the programme.

Whilst on placement, student teachers will be assigned a School Mentor with whom they will have a weekly feedback session. There will also be a named ITE Lead practitioner or senior mentor within each school who can relay any concerns to the programme team if necessary.

Where student teachers have specific requirements or medical conditions and may have particular assessment needs, the expertise of disability link tutors will be called upon as required.

All student teachers will have a one-hour mentor meeting per week during which they will discuss progress and set targets against the Professional Standards. School Mentor and ITE University Tutor observations will provide feedback on teaching practice. Three meetings during the programme will provide further feedback on student teacher progress.

Student teachers are made aware of and are encouraged to access the University’s Student Support Services as required. They will be promoted to student teachers at induction and throughout the programme to ensure that student teachers are able to ask for timely support for any personal or academic issues they may encounter.

Student teachers who struggle with academic writing will be directed to the Academic Success Programme (ASP). ASP has online writing support materials that students can access via Canvas.  Students can also self-refer for one-to-one advice sessions that may be more manageable for student teachers on placement. Skype/Teams/Zoom appointments are available for students on placement at a distance from the University.

Student teachers who struggle with Mathematics will be referred to Mathematics and Statistics Success (MASS) programme.

Subject librarians will be available to offer support and guidance with referencing and literature searches. Student teachers will have a library induction session during induction week.

Student teachers will have regular discussions with school-based mentors who will be able to identify emerging needs and direct students to the relevant services. Mentor training will include information about student support services, to ensure that they can advise appropriately. Details of University support services will be clearly signposted, through inclusion in the partnership handbook and links on the Faculty Canvas site.