Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching

Qualification Details

• Qualification Stream: Geography and Management
• Qualification Code: 90148 - GEM
• NQF Level: 7
• Total Credits: 132
• APS/AS: 50

Rules

• Teachers who are already professionally qualified to teach may not offer this qualification.
• It is the responsibility of the student to consult with the relevant Education Department districts or Provincial Education Departments regarding upgrading to additional REQV levels.
• Outstanding admission requirements may not be offered for non-degree purposes (NDP).
• Students who do not meet all the admission requirements for this qualification should consider applying for a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree (if not already professionally qualified).
• UNISA reserves the right to cancel PGCE modules registered in excess of the allowed number.
• Students completing the PGCE over more than one year must register for the Teaching Methodology in the same year as the Teaching Practice.
• The maximum number of years in which the PGCE qualification may be completed is three years.
• Some pre-requisites and/or co-requisites outlined in this qualification may not apply, as they do not form part of the curriculum.

Purpose Statement

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education serves as a professional 'capping' qualification for educators in schools. The qualification aims to:

• Develop and integrate appropriate disciplinary, pedagogical, practical, and situational knowledge.
• Cultivate an understanding of teaching and learning across diverse South African schools, encompassing educational theory, phase and subject specialization, practice, and policy.
• Foster self-reflexivity and self-understanding among prospective teachers.
• Nurture commitment to the ideals of the teaching profession and reinforce the understanding of teaching as a profession.
• Develop professional dispositions and self-identity among learners as teachers.
• Encourage active citizenship and equip learners to foster similar dispositions in their students.
• Enhance competencies to organize learning among diverse learners in varied contexts.

This qualification will be presented using both online and distance learning modes.

Who Can Register?

• Applicants: New applicants and UNISA students who have applied for admission to a new qualification may only register upon receiving an offer of placement from UNISA and accepting it online.
• Re-registering Students: They may register for the 2026 academic year once the registration period opens.

Module Selection

Each UNISA qualification is constructed to ensure that students must earn a certain amount of NQF level credits within a specific timeframe to graduate.

• Co-requisite: If Module A is a co-requisite for Module B, both must be registered simultaneously.
• Pre-requisite: If Module A is a pre-requisite for Module B, Module A must be passed before registering for Module B.

Students may not register for more than the allowed maximum number of credits/modules per academic year or semester, which is 60 credits per semester or 120 credits per academic year.

Curriculum for this Qualification

Once modules have been selected for registration, students are advised to note the module names and codes for reference.

First Level Modules

All modules in Group A are compulsory, and one language module must be selected from Group B. The language chosen from Group B must differ from the languages taken in matriculation.

Module	Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A - Compulsory Modules
AED3701 - Assessment in Education	Pre-requisite: TPF3703 or TPN3703 or TPS3703 (not for PGCE)
CMG3701 - Classroom Management
CUS3701 - Curriculum Studies
ESC3701 - Educational Studies in context
INC3701 - Inclusive Education
PED3701 - Psychology of Education
TMS3708 - Teaching Economic and Management Sciences in the Senior Phase
TMS3713 - Teaching Geography in Further Education and Training
TPS3705 - Teaching Practice for Senior Phase	Co-requisite: TMS3703 or TMS3733 or TMS3728 or TMS3708 or TMS3716 or TMS3720 or TMS3731 or TMS3722 or TMS3726
TPS3706 - Teaching Practice Further Education and Training	Co-requisite: TMS3707 or TMS3723 or TMS3704 or SDC4701 or TMS3709 or TMS3719 or TMS3715 or SDENG3J or TMS3705 or TMS3710 or TMS3701 or TMS3713 or TMS3714 or SDH4701 or TMS3706 or TMS3718 or TMS3721 or TMS3725 or TMS3724 or TMS3729 or TMS3730 or TMS3734 or TMS3711
Group B - Language of Communicative Competence	Choose ONE module
AFK1505 - Afrikaans vir beginners (Afrikaans for Beginners)	Recommendation: Students must have successfully completed level 4 (National Senior Certificate), possess adequate competency in English, and have access to the internet and a computer.
NDE1507 - Applied African Language Communicative Competence for Second Additional Language - isiNdebele
NSO1507 - Applied African Language Communicative Competence for Second Additional Language - Sepedi
SNL1507 - Basic Sign Language
SSO1507 - Applied African Language Communicative Competence for Second Additional Language - Sesotho
SWA1507 - Applied African Language Communicative Competence for Second Additional Language - SiSwati
TSO1507 - Applied African Language Communicative Competence for Second Additional Language - Xitsonga
TSW1507 - Applied African Language Communicative Competence for Second Additional Language - Setswana
VEN1507 - Applied African Language Communicative Competence for Second Additional Language - Tshivenda
XHO1507 - Applied African Language Communicative Competence for Second Additional Language - isiXhosa
ZUL1507 - Applied African Language Communicative Competence for Second Additional Language - isiZulu

Examination Timetable

The examination timetable will be provided as part of the curriculum documentation.

Transitional Arrangements

Details regarding transitional arrangements will be communicated to enrolled students at the appropriate time during their studies.

University of South Africa

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Overview:

The University of South Africa (Unisa) is the largest open distance learning institution in Africa and the longest-standing dedicated distance education university in the world. It is a public university with a global reach, enrolling nearly one-third of South African students.

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Services Offered:

Unisa offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Online learning platform:

Unisa provides a comprehensive online learning platform, myUnisa, which allows students to access course materials, submit assignments, communicate with lecturers, and participate in online discussions.

Student support services:

Unisa offers various support services to students, such as academic advising, career counseling, financial aid, and disability support.

Library resources:

Unisa has a vast library collection, accessible both online and through physical branches, providing students with access to a wide range of books, journals, and other research materials.

Regional centers:

Unisa has regional centers across South Africa, offering students access to physical learning spaces, support services, and opportunities for face-to-face interaction.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

As a distance learning institution, Unisa's campus experience is primarily online. Students can expect to engage with their studies through online platforms, participate in virtual discussions, and connect with fellow students through online forums. While there are limited opportunities for face-to-face interaction, Unisa offers regional centers and occasional events that provide opportunities for students to connect with their peers and faculty.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Accessibility:

Unisa offers flexible and accessible learning opportunities for students of all backgrounds and locations.

Global reach:

Unisa's online platform allows students from around the world to access its programs and resources.

Wide range of qualifications:

Unisa offers a diverse range of qualifications, from undergraduate to postgraduate levels, covering various disciplines.

Affordable education:

Unisa strives to provide affordable education options for students, with various financial aid programs available.

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Academic Programs:

Unisa offers a wide range of academic programs across various disciplines, including:

Accounting Sciences

Agriculture & Environmental Sciences

Economic & Management Sciences

Education

College of Graduate Studies

Human Sciences

Law

Science, Engineering & Technology

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Other:

Unisa is committed to research and innovation, with a focus on addressing societal challenges and contributing to the development of Africa. The university has several research institutes and chairs, and its researchers are actively involved in various national and international collaborations. Unisa also has a strong focus on community engagement and outreach, working to make a positive impact on the communities it serves.