Postgraduate Diploma Primary Education (PGCE Advanced)

On the Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Education (QTS) there is the option to specialise in Early Years (3-7 years) or Primary (5-11 years). The programme also offers 120 credits towards our MA Teaching Studies.

On the Postgraduate Diploma Primary Education (PGDipEd) programme you will benefit from our unique collaboration with a wide range of partner schools and the diverse communities we serve will enrich your experience. Once you have enrolled on the Primary PGDipEd course, you can opt to specialise either in General Primary (5-11 years) or in Early Years (3-7 years). If you opt to follow the General Primary training route, you will complete 3 school placements across Key Stages 1 and 2. If you opt for the Early Years route instead, your 3 placements will be in Key Stage 1, Nursery and Reception.

On our programme you will be challenged to develop informed and justified decisions about how you approach your teaching, in order to enable you to continue to develop over your career. On successful completion of your PGDipEd and your NQT year, you may return to study with us on a part-time basis to complete your Masters in Teaching Studies.

We also offer the alternative School Direct route into primary teaching. If you are interested in primary teaching and you have a grade A or B in A level Mathematics (or equivalent), you may like to train as a mathematics specialist. Information may be found on our Primary Education (SSPIP) in Mathematics course page. If you would prefer to teach older pupils, information on our secondary courses may be found on the Postgraduate Diploma Secondary Education course page.

The School of Education at the University of Birmingham has a long tradition of delivering teacher training courses. Its teaching has been graded as 'outstanding' three times by Ofsted inspectors which affirms the University’s status as one of the UK’s leading institutions for excellence in teacher training.