Programme Specification for the 2025/6 academic year
PGCE Primary (South West Teacher Training)
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | PGCE Primary (South West Teacher Training) | Programme code | PGC1EDUPRI22 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time |
Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Campus(es) | St Luke's (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
The PGCE with QTS (South West Teacher Training) programme is a full time School-Centred ITT (SCITT) course in which you will train to teach within a partnership of successful schools, learning and adopting their strategies whilst remaining informed by the criticality of PGCE study. You will develop expertise in pedagogies preferred by schools locally alongside critically evaluating the literature that underpins those pedagogies.
The programme includes 60 credits at Masters’ level and is designed to enable you to meet the requirements for Qualified Teacher Status as specified by the Department for Education (DfE).
The PGCE element of the course is delivered in partnership between SWTT and the University of Exeter. It will introduce you to key ideas and principles in teaching and the research that underpins them. You will develop your understanding of the relationship between research, theory and practice, your abilities to organise and synthesise information from empirical or theoretical studies, critically evaluate research and scholarship in the field of education, and apply your knowledge to the school context in which you learn and work, to reflect critically on your own professional development as a teacher.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The core aim of this programme is to develop excellent teachers who have the knowledge and skills to teach. The school-based training and M-level PGCE elements are woven together to enable you to develop the necessary knowledge and skills to become a critically reflective, effective teacher in your specialist subject and phase. The M-level Programme is taught via keynote lectures, group and individual tutorials, supported by online self-study materials on our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This complements seminars and placement experience led by SWTT, leading to QTS. Both elements of the taught programme support each other to enable you to succeed.
Specifically, through your M-level studies you will:
- Develop critical understanding of educational theory, research, policy and practice
- Introduce you to current knowledge in the field about pupils as learners
- Enable you to develop your pedagogical knowledge, as appropriate to the age range and subjects you are teaching
- Develop your understanding of the design and sequencing of the school curriculum
- Develop your understanding of the principles and practices of assessment
- Develop your understanding of SEND, inclusion and supporting disadvantaged pupils
- Develop your capacity to learn independently and apply this to your continuing professional development
4. Programme Structure
The PGCE Primary (South West Teacher Training) is a 1-year full-time programme of study at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme has one stage, normally equivalent to an academic year.
The programme consists of two credit-bearing modules: A Professional Studies in Education module, and a Subject and Curriculum Studies module, both of which confer 30 credits at level 7. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours work.
The programme is studied over 38 weeks, in tandem with the work undertaken to achieve Qualified Teacher Status led by SWTT. The SWTT programme includes teaching experience, general professional studies training and subject professional studies tutoring.
You may exit with:
- PGCE (South West Teacher Training) at Level 7 if you pass both the Level 7, 30-credit modules and achieve a pass in South West Teacher Training’s assessment of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
- PGCert in Professional Studies in Education if you pass both Level 7, 30-credit modules but do not achieve a pass in South West Teacher Training’s assessment of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
The individual award titles available are:
- PGCE Primary (5-11) (South West Teacher Training)
PGCE Primary (3-7) (South West Teacher Training)
Your award title will correspond with the age range you are training to teach, as confirmed to the University of Exeter by South West Teacher Training.
If you exit with the PGCert in Professional Studies in Education, this will be a generic award, without a specific age range.
If you fail or do not complete one or both of the Level 7 modules, you may still be eligible to continue with South West Teacher Training on a QTS only programme – please contact SWTT for more details. Non-engagement with the Level 7 University modules would mean you would be withdrawn from the University PGCE programme.
Interim Awards
There are no interim awards available for this programme. Exit awards are described above.
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
Stage 1
Stage 1: 60 credits of compulsory modules, 0 credits of optional modules
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDUM108 | Primary Subject and Curriculum Studies (SWTT) | 30 | Yes |
| EDUM107 | Primary Professional Studies in Education (SWTT) | 30 | Yes |
| EDUM113 | QTS Achievement Outcome (Module Delivered and Outcome Assessed by SWTT) | 0 | Yes |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Identify and evaluate educational concepts and issues related to your specific field of study and engage in critical debate about current educational issues, drawing on evidence from theory, research and practice | The University of Exeter will teach you using lectures and tutorials; use of text-based and multi-media resources; and directed activities in both the taught course and in professional contexts. Your learning about these programme aims will also be led through SWTT provision of subject-based seminars and school placements. | ILOs 1 – 3 will be assessed through: Formative assignments; face-to-face and online discussions with peers and tutors; directed tasks. Summative assessment through Level 7 assignments |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
4. critically evaluate the relevance of research and theory to practice | Via the University of Exeter through lectures and tutorials; and directed study activities and completion of Level 7 assignments. SWTT will support you in developing these core skills through your work during school placements and with school visits. Throughout, your learning will be developed through supported independent self study. | ILOs 4 – 7 will be assessed through: Formative assignments; face-to-face and online discussions with peers and tutors; directed tasks. Summative assessment through Level 7 assignments |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
8. Express ideas and opinions, with confidence and clarity, to a variety of audiences for a variety of purposes | Via the University of Exeter through lectures and tutorials; and directed study activities and completion of Level 7 assignments. SWTT will support you in developing these core skills through your work during school placements and with school visits. Throughout, your learning will be developed through supported independent self study. | ILOs 8 and 9 will be assessed through: Formative assignments; face-to-face and online discussions with peers and tutors; directed tasks. Summative assessment through Level 7 assignments |
7. Programme Regulations
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Personal and Academic tutoring: It is University policy that all Faculties should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.
Each PGCE student is allocated a University personal tutor who will meet with you at regular intervals during the University taught course to review your academic progress and to discuss issues of concern that you would like to raise. University personal tutors have an excellent overview of the support systems offered by the University and will direct you to these as appropriate. In addition, please refer to SWTT for information about tutoring and mentoring provided by SWTT.
Each student has access to the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE) - a virtual learning environment, which acts as a portal to important programme and module documentation and materials. SWTT students will also access learning materials and develop a portfolio of evidence towards the award of QTS provided by SWTT. Please refer to SWTT directly for more information.
The Primary PGCE Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision provided by the University.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
Entry to this programme is assessed by South West Teacher Training, in line with the Department for Education's Suitability to Teach requirements (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/initial-teacher-training-criteria) and SWTT's own specific entry requirements. Applicants should apply directly to South West Teacher Training via the DfE Apply system (https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training).
There is no non-standard admission to the programme.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
(Ofsted website for full reports.
13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards
The University and its constituent Colleges review the quality and standard of teaching and learning in all taught programmes against a range of criteria through the procedures outlined in the Teaching Quality Assurance (TQA) Manual Quality Review Framework.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
PGCE Primary (South West Teacher Training)
19. UCAS Code
Not applicable to this programme.
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 60 |
ECTS credits | 30 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | Date of last revision | 20/05/2025 |
|---|
