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A unique route into teaching

Study to become a teacher with The Open University in Wales, the only place to study either the part-time or salaried PGCE routes. Combine supported distance learning with practical in-school experience over a two-year qualification, allowing you to balance study alongside your job or other life commitments.

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Study a PGCE with The Open University

Take your unique journey into teaching with the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at The Open University in Wales. With our innovative PGCE programme you will bring your skills, experience, and different perspectives to a career that will motivate and fulfil you. 

Our two-year PGCE course will allow you to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for either primary or secondary school level and can be studied anywhere in Wales in either English or Welsh.

Our innovative PGCE programme blends supported online academic study with essential practical experience within schools.

What can I study?

There are two routes available:

If you’re already working in a school in a non-teaching role, the salaried route allows you to study to become a teacher alongside your existing duties. This means you can continue to work in your school and the costs of study are supported by a training grant from the Welsh Government. Even if you don’t work in a school but you are looking to become a teacher, you can still apply for the salaried route in secondary shortage subjects.

  • Primary, Secondary Maths, Science, Welsh, English, Design and Technology, Computing/ICT
  • New for 2025 – Secondary Modern Foreign Languages

To find out more about this route visit our website.

If you're a career changer, or have parental or caring responsibilities, then our part-time route could help you achieve a greater work-life balance whilst you train to become a teacher. You can balance your life commitments alongside studying and part-time practical teaching experience in a school. We currently offer the following age phases or subjects:

  • Primary, Secondary Maths, Science, Welsh, English, English with Drama, English with Media Studies, Design and Technology, Computing/ICT
  • New for 2025 – Secondary Modern Foreign Languages

To find out more about this route visit our website.

You'll be supported all the way

Support is available at every step of your journey, from application to graduation. Your university-based learning and teaching will be via the virtual learning environment, and you will be supported by a Curriculum Tutor who’ll be a specialist in your chosen field. During school-based practice learning, you will be supported by a mentor and school coordinator who’ll provide support and practical advice on your journey into teaching.

How to apply

Applications are now open to begin studying in September 2025.

To apply for our programme, please complete this application form. To find out more about the programme, entry requirements and application process visit our website.

Before you apply make sure you've read both the application guidance document and our frequently asked questions.

Apply now

Have a question about the entry requirements, programme, or your application?

You can attend a drop-in session with our dedicated PGCE Wales Team who are on hand to support you on your journey. Weekly drop-in sessions are on Tuesdays at 16:30. Click here to access the Microsoft Teams drop-in session.

The quality of the PGCE course materials and the standard of teaching is excellent. It's made me feel prepared for the world of teaching.

Thitaree Srithong, PGCE graduate and Maths teacher

I've always lived my life through Welsh, so teaching in Welsh is really important to me.

Michael, PGCE graduate and Welsh medium Science teacher