About This Course
This course is also offered through the medium of English.
The Primary PGCE programme is designed to provide you with a deep understanding of how children learn, and equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to develop as a creative and innovative teacher. You will learn about children’s development through the Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2 and be supported to become an excellent teacher. This PGCE with QTS* is recognised across Wales and England and is often transferable* further afield for entry into the teaching profession.
*Those seeking to teach outside Wales and England should check recognition and transferability of Qualified Teacher Status with the respective country’s Teachers’ Professional Body.
Committed schools with well-trained mentors will support Associate Teachers’ progress towards Qualified Teacher Status in accordance with Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership in Wales.
Experienced tutors and researchers in university and school based staff will provide excellent support and stimulating sessions, and the qualification gained will equip students to teach within and beyond Wales.
You do not need to live in Wales or speak Welsh to apply for the course. We will support you in your understanding of Welsh culture and your Welsh language learning whether you are a complete beginner or a fluent user of the language.
Research Opportunities
The programme is co-constructed, delivered and assessed with a network of excellent partnership schools across the region.
Student Experience - Guto's Story
My name is Guto Wyn Hughes. I am from a village called Groeslon near Caernarfon.
Currently I am studying the 'TAR Cynradd Cymraeg', it's the PGCE through the Welsh medium for primary school.
I've decided to become a teacher because I've had a lot of opportunities prior to being in sixth form.
Being a teaching assistant that I really enjoyed and then after completing a three year course in sports.
I then went to work and then finding out a job wasn't quite for me because I wanted more satisfaction out of it.
I then went on to applying for my PGCE role through the medium of Welsh.
From the course I think I've had endless opportunities, which have been fantastic.
We've had three different schools on placements and the placements are elements of the course has been absolutely fantastic in terms of, your really understanding what what's it like to be in the school environment.
Also just the support from the University. From after school hours after 5:00pm there's always someone there to help you.
We get opportunities to teach every age group, we get opportunities to teach children from different backgrounds, different communities.
I think it's just a great opportunity for us as students to understand that all schools are different.
I think it's a great opportunity for us to realise and get a feeling for what which type of school in which age group that we want to teach, after we have qualified.
My advice would be just do it, because I was in between two minds about doing the course when I was working last year and I just took a leap of faith and gone for it. I'm here now nine months down the line with a month to go until I finish the course.
It's been totally amazing, I've finished all my assignments and now it's about enjoying the rest of my time on the course. I think the teaching element in a school has been it's been fantastic.
But doing it through the medium of Welsh and being in the schools that so proud of their culture and language it's been fantastic.
Doing that on a daily basis with the children and just trying to promote language into children, it's just it's just been fantastic.
Course Content
What will you study on this course?
- Professional, Pedagogical and Core Studies in Primary Education
- Subject Studies in Primary Education (including close to practice action research)
- School Experience
Entry Requirements
- At least a 2:2 honours degree or equivalent in an area related to subject of study.
- Grade C/Grade 4 in the GCSE examination in any of the following: English Language, English Literature, Welsh First Language, Welsh Literature.
- Grade C/Grade 4 in the GCSE Examination in Mathematics or Mathematics-Numeracy must also be achieved.
- GCSE Grade C/Grade 4 in Science.
- A willingness and positive attitude towards seeking to improve their personal use of the Welsh Language.
- Applicants are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check for the child workforce including a check of the children’s barred lists. Applicants who have lived outside the UK are also required to undertake a criminal records check in their countries of residence.
Applicants should reflect carefully on their ability to meet the rigours and demands of the profession. Refer to the Considerations for Applicants to Initial Teacher Education Programmes.
We also welcome applications from mature applicants, individuals with European qualifications and international applicants (subject to minimum English language requirements - IELTS Level 7 overall (with no element below 6.5).
Application
To teach, you need Initial Teacher Education (ITE) based at a university, school or college in the UK. Candidates should note that the application process for the PGCE programmes differs from Bangor University’s standard postgraduate application procedure.
Applicants applying for teacher training will need to apply through the Undergraduate UCAS system. Please refer to UCAS for further information.
Careers
PGCE Primary with QTS (3-11) is recognised across Wales and England and is often transferable* further afield for entry into the teaching profession. It fully prepares you for the demands of teaching in Wales and beyond.
*Those seeking to teach outside Wales and England should check recognition and transferability of Qualified Teacher Status with the respective country’s Teachers’ Professional Body.
The CaBan programmes prepare you for a wide range of roles within education and develop essential leadership skills. There is a growing body of evidence that school leadership has an impact on student outcomes second only to the influence of teachers in the classroom. Within the CaBan partnership we have international expertise and experience of the latest leadership theory and research. This expertise impacts on both the content of this programme and the significant developments across the region and national level with respect to developing strong and effective leadership teams in our schools.
The programme offers short/full placements in Primary and Special Schools, short placements in Outdoor Centres and other education related settings to ensure you have enhanced experience specific to your individual interests.
