PGCE (Top-Up) Primary / Early Years / Secondary Welcome Pack

Welcome to PGCE (Top-Up) Primary/Early Years/Secondary ​2024.

The PGCE Top-up course enables you to achieve the academic award of Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) if you have already successfully gained QTS through the Graduate Teacher Programme, School Direct or similar. 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. The course is also recognised by other countries and QTS holders in the UK and internationally will benefit from the programme.

This course enables academic study alongside full-time teaching. It consists of formal taught sessions with tutors held at weekends. We 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.

Here’s a reflection from one of our alumni, Phil.

Your Programme Leader

Dr Helen Caldwell

Associate Professor (Education)
Helen.caldwell@northampton.ac.uk