Primary Qualified Teacher Status and PGCE

Are you teaching in a maintained or independent primary school in England? Get accredited to teach in state-maintained and special schools in England.

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Course overview

  • 2026
  • Full-time
  • Sep, 37 weeks
  • Postgraduate
  • PGCE
  • Online
  • *See below for full fee information

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    Entry Requirements

    You must be employed as a teacher in an independent or state-maintained primary school in England and be teaching the core subjects (English, maths and science) for a minimum of 50% of a full timetable. General primary trainees must be teaching the three core subjects across two consecutive Key Stages and for the subject specific course trainees’ teaching time should be split 50:50 between the core subjects and their chosen specific subject.

    Every year, some of our applicants arrange to work in a primary school for the specific purpose of gaining this training, others have worked in the school for a year or more already.

    You will be expected to have the following qualifications:

    • UK degree. For equivalent qualifications, contact education@buckingham.ac.uk to confirm that your qualification meets the University entry requirements
    • GCSE in English Language or Literature, Maths and Science at grade 4 or above or equivalent. For equivalent qualifications, contact education@buckingham.ac.uk to confirm that your qualification meets the University entry requirements.

    In addition, you must:

    • Attend an interview
    • Demonstrate competence in literacy and numeracy
    • Provide a reference from your headteacher supporting your application to undertake a PGCE
    • Obtain the commitment from your school to release you for the second school placement and to provide a suitable mentor
    • Provide a satisfactory criminal record check and show the physical and mental fitness to teach.

    The employing school must be able to fully support a candidate through the course, enabling them to demonstrate all of the Teachers’ Standards across the full age and ability range of training.