What is a PGCE?

Understand what a PGCE involves and how it prepares you for teaching success
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Postgraduate teacher training

A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is a teacher training qualification that prepares you to teach in schools in England and Wales.

It combines university-based study with school placements, helping you build the skills, knowledge and confidence to manage a classroom and inspire your students.

At Leeds Trinity University, you’ll gain both the academic foundation and the practical experience you need to qualify as a teacher.

Who the PGCE is for

Our PGCEs are designed for graduates who want to train to teach at either Primary or Secondary level.

Whether you’re coming straight from university, changing careers or returning to education, we’ll help you find the route that fits your background and goals.

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What the qualification gives you

Your PGCE at Leeds Trinity gives you both a recognised teaching qualification and real classroom experience that prepares you for success from day one.

  • Qualified Teacher Status (QTS): On successful completion of your PGCE and meeting the Teachers’ Standards, you’ll be recommended for QTS - the professional qualification required to teach in most schools in England.
  • Postgraduate qualification: Your PGCE is awarded at Level 7 and includes 60 Master’s-level credits, which you can use towards future study, such as an MA Education.
  • Classroom experience: From your first term, you’ll spend time in partner schools, developing practical teaching experience alongside expert mentors.

Together, these give you the confidence, skills and research-informed approach to launch your teaching career.

The course structure

Our PGCE is a one-year, full-time programme designed to help you become a confident and capable teacher.

You’ll combine university-based learning with school placements, gaining the knowledge and practical experience you need to earn Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Your training is hands-on from the start. You’ll learn how to plan, teach and assess lessons, manage a classroom effectively and inspire pupils across your chosen age phase or subject.

Our courses are shaped by the latest educational research - as Ofsted (2023) noted, "The way in which research weaves through all elements of the curriculums is exceptional".

Throughout your studies, you’ll receive support and expert advice through regular training sessions with expert colleagues. In these sessions, they will support you to understand what it means to be a teacher.

From day one of training, you will be immersed in the theory and practice of teaching and learning. At the start of the year, you will be expected to work with small groups or deliver parts of lessons, with expectations steadily increasing until by the end of the programme you will take the responsibility expected of an Early Career Teacher.

You’ll also take part in Intensive Training and Practice (ITaPs), which help you develop key pedagogical skills in some of the most important aspects of teaching.

By the end of the course, you’ll have refined your teaching practice, built strong professional relationships through placements, and developed the confidence to step into your first role.

Your routes into teaching

You can choose to train through one of our partnership models:

  • University-led: Delivered by Leeds Trinity’s academic experts, with placements arranged through our extensive school network.
  • Lead Partner: Co-delivered with a lead school or local training hub.
  • Delivery Partner: Delivered primarily through a school or trust, with Leeds Trinity as the accredited provider.

Find out more about the three models.

Start your teaching journey

Explore your options, meet our team and discover the right PGCE for you. Take your first step today.

Find your PGCE Book an Open Event Get your PGCE prospectus
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