Program Overview

Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Teaching Post-16 and Further Education)

Course Description

The Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Teaching Post-16 and Further Education) offers education, training, and development to graduates who are practicing or aspiring teachers in the education, training, and skills sector such as further education colleges, private sector training providers, and offender education.

Key Facts

• Award: PGDE
• Duration: 1 year (FT), 2 years (PT)
• Mode of Study: Full-time, Part-time
• Start Date: September 2025
• Awarding Institution: Bishop Grosseteste University
• Institution Code: B38

Course Summary

This program develops participants' knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of teaching, learning, and assessment, and teachers' wider, professional engagement in the sector. It offers a challenging, supportive, and rewarding experience to promote informed, reflective, and effective teaching and professional development.

Why Study This Course

• Pre-service bursaries available in selected subjects for up to £26,000
• Trainees who complete the course will be eligible to apply for QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills) with the Society for Education and Training
• You can specialize in your chosen subject and gain over 150 hours of experience in a post-16 placement setting
• The program has two routes, so is open to both graduates (PGDE route) and non-graduates who have extensive industry experience and are looking to teach in their vocational specialist field (CertEd route)

Course Structure

• Teaching My Specialist Subject
• Learners and Learning
• Teachers and Teaching
• Effective Digital and Online Pedagogies
• Responsive Teaching
• Professional Practice in Further Education and Post-16

Entry Requirements

• A bachelor's degree
• Typically, minimum Level 3 in the subject the trainee intends to teach
• Level 2 qualification in Mathematics and English
• Access to a minimum of 150 hours of teaching over the period of the program, with suitable Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) documentation and an identified mentor

How You Will Be Taught

• Directed learning, which typically involves scheduled learning and tutorials with the program teaching team
• Placement of approximately 90 days
• Independent study, which may include reading, research, portfolio building, group projects, action planning, developmental activities, events, and maintaining industry connections

Assessment

• Each module carries three assessment components, typically including such tasks as essay, case study, reflective reports, individual and presentations, peer review, action planning, and evaluation of day-to-day teaching practice
• Teaching practice is integral to successful completion of the program
• You will undergo a minimum of ten teaching observations, working with tutors and mentors to identify suitable opportunities for observation, dialogic review, and feedback

Careers and Further Study

• This course will ensure that you are prepared to teach in the Further Education and Skills sector
• On successful completion of this program, you will be eligible to apply for the professional status of Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) via the Society for Education and Training (SET)
• Progression from this program has many routes, whether that is onto further study at Master's level or into employment

Support

• Studying at BGU is a student-centered experience
• Staff and students work together in a friendly and supportive atmosphere as part of an intimate campus community
• You will know every member of staff personally and feel confident approaching them for help and advice

Fees and Funding

• A lot of student finance information is available from numerous sources, but it is sometimes confusing and contradictory
• Our Student Advice team are experts in helping you sort out the funding arrangements for your studies, offering a range of services to guide you through all aspects of student finance step by step

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