PGCE Top-up Primary/Early Years/Secondary

• Overview

  The PGCE Top-up course enables you to achieve the academic award of Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) if you have already successfully completed a Graduate Teacher Programme, or School Direct programme and gained Qualified Teacher Status without the academic award. This PGCE is accredited by the General Teaching Council Scotland which means on successful completion you will have met the requirement to be eligible to apply for registration as a teacher in Scotland.

  If you are interested in doing this, information about the rest of the requirements for registration can be found on the GTCS website. In addition, QTS holders in the UK and internationally will benefit from this one year programme, designed to meet the needs of practicing teachers and increase your employability around the world.

  Dr Helen Caldwell talks about the programme.

  Apply for Early Years

  • January 2020
  • October 2020

  Apply for Primary

  • January 2020
  • October 2020

  Apply for Secondary

  • January 2020
  • October 2020

  Course

  Highlights

  • Flexible schedule to fit around work schedules.
  • Course is accredited by the General Teaching Council Scotland.
  • Achieve PGCE status if you have already completed the required credits.

  Open Days

  
• Course Details

  This course enables academic study alongside full-time teaching. It consists of formal taught sessions with tutors held at weekends or during the mid-term breaks. We also deliver teaching through online sources, which you can access anywhere, at your convenience through our Virtual Learning Environment, NILE. You will also have access to the library and a tutor, who will be available to help in person, or online, and we hold regular webinars to support your studies.

  This course is designed to support your professional development, embedding academic studies in the context of your work. You will enhance your QTS by studying modules at Masters’ level to gain the PGCE qualification. It will give you a deeper understanding of teaching and learning to enhance your practice and help you on your way to a Masters’ degree and beyond if you wish to progress this further.

  Schedule

  Minimum of three conference days (one per term) over one academic year.

  Assessments

  You will have a variety of assessments, submitted throughout the year. They will include reflective pieces of writing, essays and a small-scale research project.

  Read more

  Additional

  Information

  Methods of Learning

  The entire course consists of 18 hours of interactive, taught sessions, involving activities and discussions. This course is run over three terms, generally in October, January and April. You should also expect to do six to 10 hours of private study each week.

  The structure of the course has been created to accommodate practicing teachers term times, this is largely an online course with the requirement for private study. There are 3 conferences held at the University (one per term, usually held on Saturdays) with virtual alternatives for those studying at a distance.

• Careers and Events
  • Open Days

    Discover your Course

    Our Open Days offer you a fantastic opportunity to get a real taste of university life at Northampton and discover how studying here will be a life-changing experience.

    Each Open Day has a packed programme of subjects talks, advice sessions and activities designed to give you all the information you need about studying with us.

    To find out more about the day, please feel free to have a look at our Open Day Guide.

    
  • Careers

    Career Opportunities

    Most PGCE top-up students will already be professional teachers, however this qualification will allow you to teach in other countries, subject to their own regulations, and opens up opportunities for career progression such as leadership and management.

    
• Requirements

  Applicants are required to have a minimum of 2:2 classification from their First Degree from a UK university of equivalent.

  You must have QTS status through the Graduate Teacher Programme or School Direct route and an assessed professional portfolio. This portfolio must include:

  • evidence of your QTS and how you have met the Teaching Standards
  • demonstration of your commitment to CPD
  • support for your application from your Head Teacher

  Further information about the full contents of the portfolio will be sent to you when you apply.

  Applicants should normally be currently teaching in a school whilst participating in the course. If you are not currently teaching your application will be considered on a case-by-case basis; individuals in this situation must be able to find a school in which to undertake small-scale classroom based enquiry for the second module of the course. We are happy to discuss this with individuals.

  For more more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

   

  Contacts

  Course Enquiries

  Application status enquiries
  admissions2020@northampton.ac.uk

  Current student enquiries
  SID@northampton.ac.uk

  International student enquiries
  international@northampton.ac.uk

  Applying for 2020
  Facebook Applicant Group

  Office hours:
  Mon – Thu: 9am – 5pm
  Fri: 9am – 4.30pm

  Phone Call

  0300 303 2772

  +44 (0)1604 892134

  +44 (0)1604 892546

• Course Content
  • Level 6
  • Level 7

  • PGCE Professional Portfolio (60 Credits)
    Module code: ITT3047

    Core Module N

  • Practice Based Project (30 Credits)
    Module code: EDUM143

    Core Module Y
  • Curriculum and Pedagogy in Context (30 Credits)
    Module code: EDUM144

    Core Module Y

  Facilities &

  Special Features

  This course is delivered online, with virtual alternatives offered for the three face-to-face days. It is therefore possible to study on this course without needing to come to Northampton.

• Further Studies
  • Postgraduate Opportunities

    Further your Study

    Our postgraduate and doctorate courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt.

    Education MA

    Education MA (English Language Teaching)

    Education MA (Mathematics Pathway)

    
  • Research

    We are committed to delivering outstanding research that makes a difference to society. Our Research Institutes and Centres work closely with external partner organisations, locally, nationally and internationally. We produce internationally renowned and relevant research and disseminate knowledge on an international scale.

    Visit our Research Hub page for more information.

    
  • Business and Enterprise

    We are committed to supporting and encouraging business growth and we are involved in a variety of initiatives which seek to benefit the wider community as well as students and staff of the University.

    Discover what businesses we work with and what opportunities may be available to you on our Business and Enterprise pages.

    
• Fees & Funding
  • UK & EU
  • International

  20/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • £2,475

  There are currently no additional costs anticipated for this course for 2020 entry

  19/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • £2,250

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • £2,475

  Scholarships

  EU and International Scholarships

  We’re committed to offering the opportunity to study in the UK to the best and brightest students from around the world.

  TD Lewis Scholarship

  The T D Lewis Scholarship provides both undergraduate and postgraduate students with financial awards of up to £1,000.  This scholarship is awarded on educational excellence…

  The Chancellor's Fund

  The Chancellor’s Fund is a bi-annual fund providing students with awards of between £100 and £1,000. You must be a current student to apply.  The…

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