PGCE Primary Education with QTS (Teacher Apprenticeship)
University of SunderlandSunderland, United Kingdom
Course overview
The PGCE Primary Education with QTS (Teacher Apprenticeship) combines hands-on teaching experience with academic study, helping you understand the theory behind how children learn. It's ideal if you're working in, or planning to work in, primary education. As a teacher apprentice, you can be employed in a range of settings, including academy and maintained schools.
Throughout the apprenticeship, you'll build your professional teaching knowledge and develop key skills in planning, designing, and delivering lessons, including adaptive teaching to meet the needs of all students. You’ll also become a reflective practitioner, someone who thinks carefully about their teaching and how to keep improving it. You’ll be supported by our team of experienced academics who'll guide you through key teaching and learning theories and show you how to apply them in your own classroom practice.
You’ll also explore how to design and assess learning effectively, and gain confidence in your understanding of
Key highlights
- Leads to Qualified Teacher Status through a teacher apprenticeship route
- Combines paid classroom employment with academic study of how children learn
- Employment possible in academy and maintained primary schools
- Develops lesson planning, design and delivery, including adaptive teaching
- Builds reflective practice to keep improving your teaching
- Covers designing and assessing learning effectively
Entry requirements
- Degree: 2:2 — or above
- GCSE: 4 or above — If you've studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade, you'll need to achieve a grade 4 or above.
- Additional condition: interview — All shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview.
Scholarships
Douglas Clasper Elite Sports Scholarship
The scholarship will award the following in each year of study (based on academic progression): £2,000 cash payment; a tuition fee discount of 20%; a 20% discount on university-managed accommodation.
East Durham College Partnership Award
This award provides a £1,500 cash award in each year of study, helping you access higher education with greater ease.
Up to £1,500First Choice Travel Award
This award provides £500 cash in your first year of study to assist with transport expenses, helping students access higher education with greater ease.
Up to £500Global Leaders Scholarship
£6,000 tuition fee reduction for undergraduates, £4,000 for MPharm Pharmacy students, or £5,500 tuition fee reduction (postgraduates).
Helen McArdle Nursing Scholarship
There are five scholarships available. Each scholarship awards £1,200 in each year of study.
Up to £1,200Interview Travel Reimbursement
Up to £100
Open Day Travel Reimbursement
Up to £100
Sir Bob Murray Health Scholarship (Psychology)
There are five scholarships available. Each scholarship awards £1,000 in your first year of study.
Up to £1,000Sunderland College Award
Our Sunderland College Award provides £1,500 plus a £250 voucher, in each year of continuous study. This will support you financially throughout your time at university.
Tees Valley Travel Award
This award provides a £1,500 cash award in each year of study to assist with transport expenses, helping you access higher education with greater ease.
Up to £1,500The Mary and Brian Archer Experience Scholarships
Up to £750.
We Care Postgraduate Bursary
The We Care Postgraduate Bursary awards £2,500 cash to eligible postgraduate students.
Up to £2,500
Careers this course leads to
- Primary school teacher
- Key Stage 1 teacher
- Key Stage 2 teacher
- Early years teacher
- Primary subject lead
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Sunderland, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
Ready to start?
Book a free consultation and we'll map your fastest route to a September 2026 place.