About the PGCE

Whichever course you choose and however you choose to study, your PGCE course will include the same core elements.

Course duration

One year, full-time, from early September to the end of June.

Course content

Taught sessions

Taught sessions link theory with practice and prepare you for your teaching placements and completion of your assignments. Students following the University-led and Lead Partner routes follow these sessions together at the University. Students following the School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) route will follow these sessions in schools that make up the SCITT partnership.

School experience

120 days of practical teaching placements in schools (three different placements for primary and two for secondary).

Academic assessment

You will be assessed by two 30 credit level 7 assignments with the option to acquire an additional 30 credits.

Award gained

On successful completion of your course, you will gain a University of Leicester PGCE with up to 90 level 7 Masters credits (half a masters), and be recommended to the Department for Education for Early Career Teacher (ECT) status.

Courses

See our primary and secondary PGCE courses, including University-led and School Direct options, and subject specialisms for secondary education.

Browse our courses

Study routes

Picking the right route to take when training to teach can be confusing. See our guide to the three PGCE study routes at the University of Leicester, and find out more about each.

Explore study routes

Applying for a PGCE at Leicester

Find out about applying for a PGCE with us, including information on vacancies, entry requirements, shortlisting and selection days and more.

More about applying