Applying for a PGCE
All applications for entry to our 2026-27 PGCE with QTS programmes must be made through the DfE's Apply service. You can find courses open for 2026/27 entry and apply to them using the DfE's Find site.
- International applicants: applications close Friday 17 July 2026
- Home applicants: applications close Friday 14 August 2026
The University of Exeter's Institution Code is E84.
Anyone who submits an application after 01 June 2026 will be considered a ‘late applicant’ for the purposes of placement allocation. If we run out of placements in any of our four partnership areas, we will add a note to the DfE Find entry for that particular course indicating this.
Subjects available for 2026 entry applications
| Subject/route | DfE code | Open for applications for 2026/27? |
|---|---|---|
| PGCE Primary (5-11) | T462 | Yes |
| PGCE Primary (3-7) | U768 | Yes |
| Secondary English | 2BT6 | Yes |
| Secondary Geography | N794 | Yes |
| Secondary History | V1X1 | Yes |
| Secondary Mathematics | G1X1 | Yes |
| Secondary French | R1X1 | Yes |
| Secondary Spanish | R4XC | Yes |
| Secondary Physical Education | X9C6 | Yes |
| Secondary Science (Biology) | C1X1 | Yes |
| Secondary Science (Biology with Physical Education) | B346 | Yes |
| Secondary Science (Chemistry) | F1X1 | Yes |
| Secondary Science (Physics) | F3X1 | Yes |
Further information on applying
You can find further information on applying for a PGCE on the following links:
- Get Into Teaching: How to apply webpage
- University of Exeter Postgraduate Admissions Policy
- University of Exeter Regulations for Students
- Fitness to Practise and Criminal Convictions
You can also view the latest recruitment procedures relating to Initial Teacher Education programmes run by the School of Education:
- ITE Admissions Policy
- Recruitment & Admissions Procedure for ITE Programmes
- ITE Fitness to Teach and Disability Support Procedure
- Guidance for ITE Tutors and Teachers involved in ITE interviewing
- ITE Safeguarding Policy
- Disqualification under the Childcare Act guidance
References
You will need to give details of two people who can give you a reference when you apply but they will not be contacted until you accept a place on a course. Note: if you are still studying or have graduated in the last 5 years one of these will need to be an academic reference.
Entry requirements
Requirements for entry depend on the particular area you wish to study. You will find them under the specific Primary or Secondary course pages. Whilst the University endeavours to ensure entrance requirements are accurate at the point of publication, there are occasions where changes may be required. However, the University guarantees not to make any changes which would adversely affect an applicant to our PGCE programmes after 07 October when the DfE Apply system opens for the next teacher training recruitment cycle.
Information for international or overseas students
The Department for Education provides information on overseas qualifications, through the Get into Teaching Line. The verbal check is a candidate-based advice service; the aim is to provide guidance on a candidate’s eligibility prior to applying. Final decisions on candidate eligibility still lie with providers prior to commencement of ITT.
The service includes:
- An initial verbal check to advise candidates on what their qualifications are equivalent to (guidance only).
- A written NARIC statement of comparability, paid for on behalf of the candidate (if required) and only available once a candidate has applied to ITT.
We encourage you to use this service prior to submitting an application by calling the Get into Teaching Line on 0800 389 2500. You can also register for advice and support from the Department for Education on their website.
Applicants who will be overseas during the recruitment cycle
If you will be outside the UK during the recruitment cycle for your proposed year of entry, you should make contact with the PGCE Admissions Office to discuss this.
Frequently asked questions about applying for a PGCE
Why are applications after June 1st 2026 considered 'late' for placement allocation?
Anyone who submits an application to one of our PGCE programmes after 01 June 2026 will be considered a ‘late applicant’ for the purposes of placement allocation. This is because we inform our partnership schools in early July of the number of trainees we have scheduled for them to have for each placement. While we will do everything we can to meet your placement requirements after this date, we are limited in how much we can make changes to planned placements and liaise with schools about additional placements once they break up for the summer holidays. We therefore ask you to consider how flexible you can be in terms of placement location if you are applying after this date.
In addition, if we get to the point where we know we have run out of placements in any of our four partnership areas, we will add a note to the DfE Find entry for that particular course indicating this. So please do check the DfE Find site this if you are considering applying later in the recruitment cycle.
When does the PGCE course start? What is the latest start date for 2026/27 entry?
We expect all students to arrive so they can start their course from day one (Monday 14 September 2026). The PGCE course is very intensive and the first two weeks are particularly important. However, the latest date that we can accept students arriving for our 2026-27 PGCE courses is Friday 25 September 2026, if you have problems with travel/visas etc. Please note, we will not extend this date under any circumstances so do bear this in mind when making travel arrangements.
Do you accept requests for deferred entry to a PGCE course?
We do not consider requests for deferred entry either at application stage or after an offer has been made. Any applicant who can no longer take up a place offered to them will need to reapply in the following year and will need to go through the full interview process again.
