PGCE - General Primary with QTS - Environmental and Outdoor Learning Specialism

How you will learn

Your programme will help you to build your theoretical understanding of the complexity of teaching and learning, whilst at the same time helping you to develop your practical professional skills in classroom settings. You will find a significant focus within the course that is devoted to the interplay between theory and practice.

Assessed School Placement

To support your professional practice and provide you with the opportunity to be recommended for the award of QTS, you will have three placements in school. These will cover two age phases and will be in at least two different settings. You will benefit from the excellent school partnerships we have developed with schools over many years. While on placement, you will be supported by a mentor in school. Your mentor will have received initial mentor training from the university and will be supported by a member of staff from the university to support your professional development.

The programme is designed intentionally to weave together university-based learning, school-based learning and independent learning around a developmental learning framework. The combination of all these elements, structured in this way has proven to be a successful recipe for supporting students to gain the highest outcomes.

How you will be assessed

Your PGCE with QTS programme is assessed through a combination of placement assessment alongside formative and summative assessments.

You will complete three summative assignments over the duration of the course. The first two summative assessments will be based on topics of your choosing that will be set within a provided context. This will allow you to develop your understanding of teaching and learning and the professional application of your understanding in an area that is personally relevant to you. Formative activities are built into the assessment process. As you will be selecting a topic for each of your assessments, you will have the opportunity to share your intentions and to receive confirmation about the appropriateness of your topic before you progress further. You will also have formative assessment submissions where you will receive formative feedback but no grade. This will help you to develop your work prior to summative submission.

The third summative assignment involves bringing together learning from the cumulative work done during each of your ITAPs. The assignment will also provide a bridge to your Early Career Teacher (ECT) years.

Your three placements, take place at the end of each phase of the course: ‘Beginning’, ‘Developing’ and ‘Extending’. On your Beginning and Developing placements you are assessed against the curriculum you have been taught, split into Beginning and Developing staged expectations. These work towards your Extending placement where you will be assessed against the Teachers’ Standards. You can expect to be involved in this process with your mentor, who will help you to set developmental targets on a weekly basis during your placements. This will help you to build your ability to self-assess and be an active agent in your professional development.

Progression

The programme also recognises that gaining a PGCE and achieving QTS is not the end of your professional learning journey. It is with this in mind that the contributory modules have been planned to allow you to undertake a seamless transition to a University of Cumbria MA in Education Professional Practice. The learning outcomes of the modules have been mapped to the learning outcomes of the MA and the credits that you accrue on the PGCE are recognised as part of the MA.

Tuition Fees

2025 - 2026

• £9,535 - UK
• £14,900 - International

PGCE Alumni Scholarship

Scholarship fund worth up to £2,000

We're offering a PGCE Alumni Scholarship worth up to £2,000 to alumni of University of Cumbria. Find out more on our Scholarships and Bursaries webpages.

For more information click here.

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

Funding

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. You can find out more about Student Finance specifically for PGCE Students on the PGCE Finance webpages.

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books are reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change, course welcome information will provide you with an indicative list for the year.

Books and Journals

Most core text books are available via the University's library, however students may wish to buy copies of any texts used to support your learning on your course. This could cost between £50 - £100 per year.

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

Clothing and Equipment

Students may wish to have their own computer or laptop for undertaking their assignments. This is not however a requirement for access to the programme as the University does make such facilities available across all of its main sites and learning gateway buildings. Should students wish to purchase a computer then an entry-level laptop would suffice, £300 - 400. Placement will require sensible, professional clothing and footwear as appropriate to the setting and suitable clothing for PE teaching

Field Trips

Students will need to fund their own transport to their placement. There is the possibility that a university arranged placement will require travelling time, and any expenses incurred are to be met by the student. Therefore, the student should budget for these travel costs.