- Aberystwyth University
- P5
- Aberystwyth
- Ceredigion
- SY23 3UX
The School of Education at Aberystwyth University offers you two pathways to Qualified Teaching Status (QTS). The integrated programme which responds to the needs of teacher education in the 21st century, educates and develops student teachers to teach across both primary and secondary sectors. This emphasis on cross-phase teaching is in keeping with the Welsh Government’s National Mission and the New Curriculum for Wales, as well with the increasing emergence of All-Through schools.
As well as Primary teaching training, the School offers Secondary Initial Teacher Training in the following subjects: Biology with Balanced Science, Chemistry with Balanced Science, Physics with Balanced Science, Drama, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages and Welsh. As a bilingual institution, you can study all of these subjects through the medium of Welsh too. This will enable you to apply for the government’s Welsh-medium stimulus grant.
Find out more about our Primary teaching training course
Find out more about our Secondary teaching training course
- Biology with Balanced Science (PGCE, 1 year)
- Chemistry with Balanced Science (PGCE, 1 year)
- Drama (PGCE, 1 year)
- English (PGCE, 1 year)
- Geography (PGCE, 1 year)
- History (PGCE, 1 year)
- Mathematics (PGCE, 1 year)
- Modern Languages (French) (PGCE, 1 year)
- Modern Languages (Spanish) (PGCE, 1 year)
- Physics with Balanced Science (PGCE, 1 year)
- Welsh (PGCE, 1 year)
Upon successful completion of the Initial Teacher Training at Aberystwyth University, you will have developed sufficient experience of bother primary and secondary schools, which will enhance your employability options.
Watch our video to find out more about Aberystwyth's Initial Teacher Training courses
Why study with us?
The School of Education at Aberystwyth University has a long-established history of delivering innovative degree programmes for future teachers. Since 1872, our research and practice led approach has developed generations of teachers that have inspired pupils from all concerns of the world to become successful.
- Our innovative Initial Teacher Training (PGCE) enables you to experience teacher training at both Primary and Secondary schools
- All students who have met their entry requirements and have enrolled onto the course starting September will be offered free University Accommodation for the 8 weeks required on campus. This means that you will be able to live in Aberystwyth University campus accommodation for the duration of the university contact time (8 weeks), have access to all of our facilities (Students’ Union, Library, free platinum Gym membership) and get to know your fellow course members who will be starting on their teaching journey too
- You will be taught and mentored by practitioners who have a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills to instil in your formative year as student teachers
- We are partnered with Primary and Secondary schools located across the Mid-Wales corridor and North Wales. Please visit our dedicated page to get to know the potential partners who you may be collaborating with for your teacher training year. Our partners also assist us with the interview process, so you will meet one of our partners during your PGCE interview
- If you currently don’t have a B grade GCSE in Mathematics, English or Welsh you will be eligible to sit an Equivalency test at the University. If you currently have a D grade or below at Science, we also offer you the opportunity to sit an equivalency paper for this subject
- As part of the application procedure, all applicants will be required to sit entry tests which include Numeracy, Literacy (English) and a Welsh Literacy test (for those studying through the medium of Welsh only). Further information on the Entry Tests can be found on our dedicated page
- Aberystwyth University is the only university in Wales to be awarded the University of the Year for Teaching Quality twice in consecutive years by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guided 2019 & 2018
- The University has also been awarded Gold for Postgraduate Studies in the 2019 What University Student Choice Awards.
Watch our video to find out more about Aberystwyth University.
Our Location
Our Penglais campus is a short stroll downhill to the historic seaside town of Aberystwyth, often described as the cultural capital of Wales.
With University staff and students from over 100 countries, Aberystwyth is a friendly cosmopolitan hub. Familiar high street names jostle with independent shops, cafes and an award-winning Farmers’ Market. It’s a close-knit community and once here, many of our students never want to leave.
Aberystwyth is surrounded by a beautiful environment. Nestled between the Cambrian Mountains and Cardigan Bay it provides a rugged landscape of rolling hills, valleys, sand and sea. Even the famous national parks, of Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire, sit a short distance north and south of Aberystwyth, respectively, too.
Made up of colourful and characterful Victorian architecture, its buildings are formed around the landscape, overlooking the sweeping 2km promenade, where students, locals and visitors mingle as they walk, jog or ride along.
A lasting tradition dictates that students and visitors, alike, ‘kick the bar’ at the northern most point of the promenade underneath Constitution Hill (or ‘Consti’ as it’s known to locals) as they take in the fresh sea air.
There is plenty to do both inside and outside of Aberystwyth. From visiting its numerous high-street and boutique shops, cafes and restaurants – to exploring the local sights of the National Library, Cliff Railway, Constitution Hill, Seafront, Bandstand, Old College, Castle Ruins, Harbour and more.
With three beautiful beaches to choose from, North Beach (designated as a blue flag), South Beach and Tan-Y-Bwlch Beach, there’s no better place try to spot some dolphins. Or in the summer, you can enjoy watching the sun go down with a small fire or BBQ.