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Students
Tuition Fee
Start Date
2025-09-01
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
12 months
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
Courses
Major
Career and Technical Education | Teacher Training | Vocational Training
Area of study
Education
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2025-09-01-
About Program

Program Overview


Program Details

Further Education and Skill Sector, Prof Cert Ed (FE) (QA Only) (NESCOT)

Overview

Gain your Professional Graduate Certificate from Nescot in Education (FE&SS) and teach 14+ students. At Nescot, you will receive a supportive environment and a proven record of trainee success.


Description

Our top-up degree in education studies is aimed at students interested in developing their current Level 5 qualification, such as a foundation degree, to a Bachelor's degree in education. The course prepares you for a range of careers in education, including work as a teaching assistant, teaching in further education, and roles in education administration and youth work.


Although much of the course is lecture-based, your tutors will encourage debate, discussion, and analysis and help you develop your practical skills. By the end of your degree, you should understand the key elements of education studies and the importance of learning and teaching in the context of wider communities and society.


The course is offered by one of the university's partner colleges: Nescot, in Epsom, Surrey.


Location

  • North East Surrey College Of Technology (NESCOT)

Duration

  • 1 year full-time
  • 2 years part-time

Start Month

  • September

Fees and Funding

  • Cohort | Full time | Part time | Distance learning
    • Home* | TBC | TBC | N/A

What You Should Know About This Course

  • This course will be of particular interest to applicants who value the learning opportunities that small class sizes offer and wish to pursue a career in teaching students aged 14+
  • We pride ourselves on the level of support we give and our students value the feedback they receive to enable them to develop and thrive

What You Will Study

  • View course outline

Full-time

  • Year 1:
    • Theories and Principles of Learning (15 credits)
    • Curriculum Development for Inclusive Practice Level 5 (15 credits)
    • PDP (1) (15 credits)
    • PDP (2) (Level 5) (15 credits)
    • Teaching, Learning and Assessment (15 credits)
    • Developing Subject Specific Resources (Level 5) (15 credits)
    • Managing Behaviours in the Learning Environment (15 credits)
    • Reflective Practice (15 credits)

Part-time

  • Year 1:
    • Theories and Principles of Learning (15 credits)
    • PDP (1) (15 credits)
    • Teaching, Learning and Assessment (15 credits)
    • Managing Behaviours in the Learning Environment (15 credits)
  • Year 2:
    • Curriculum Development for Inclusive Practice Level 5 (15 credits)
    • PDP (2) (Level 5) (15 credits)
    • Developing Subject Specific Resources (Level 5) (15 credits)
    • Reflective Practice (15 credits)

Entry Requirements

  • UK citizens and permanent residents:
    • Applicants requirement:
      • All the applicants are required to hold a professional or vocational qualification at level 3 or above in the subject they wish to teach and an English GCSE grade 4 or above, or equivalent.
      • There is no formal entry requirement for numeracy or IT, however, support will be available for students wishing to achieve level 2 in both these areas by the end of the qualification.
      • This may require some independent study.
      • If applying as a part-time applicant, a placement for 100 hours of teaching over the duration of the course needs to be sought, although the course leader may be able to assist.

How You Will Learn

  • Teaching:
    • Learning takes place through a combination of timetabled learning and independent study.
  • Class sizes:
    • Students on a NESCOT higher education course are typically taught in class sizes of 16 or fewer.
  • Overall workload:
    • If you are a full-time applicant, each week, you will participate in 12 hours of taught sessions at Nescot on a Thursday & Friday (10am-4.45pm); 6 hours of teaching practice in an approved setting; and approximately 6 hours of independent study.
    • If you are a part-time applicant, each week you will participate in 3 hours of taught sessions at Nescot on a Thursday evening from 5.30pm; 3 hours of teaching practice in an approved setting; and approximately 3 hours of independent study each week.

Assessment

  • You can view how each module is assessed within our 'What you will study' section.
  • Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade.
  • Some courses may also include 'practice' assignments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.

Careers and Placements

  • Will I have a work placement?
    • Placement is a core element of teacher training which enables the trainee to put theory into practice in a supportive environment.
    • We are extremely lucky to work with a wide range of partners across London, Surrey, Essex, and Kent and we work closely with trainees when deciding on placements to ensure they get the best training possible.
    • Our strong partnerships ensure our trainees are well supported and have outstanding experiences whilst training with us.
  • What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
    • This award will fully qualify students to teach post-14 and in the FE and Skills Sector.
    • Former students have gained promotion, taken up new teaching posts or moved from a voluntary to a permanently employed teaching position.
    • If students wish to teach in a school setting then support to gain QTLS status is provided.
    • There is also the opportunity at Nescot for further higher education study to acquire a full degree via a one-year top-up BA(Hons) Education Studies.

Support and Advice

  • Academic skills and study support:
    • We want you to feel fully supported whilst you study with us, so we provide many opportunities for advice and guidance, both pastoral and academic.
    • You can access study skills support through your tutor, information literacy sessions, Coursera modules (eg critical thinking, time management), PDP sessions, our subject librarians, and our HE Support Mentor.
  • Support from the department:
    • Throughout your studies, we will endeavour to meet your learning needs and help you become a confident and independent adult learner.
    • Identifying these needs and measures to support them are discussed and acted upon from the interview to the close of the course.
    • You will have access to tutorials with your personal tutor, self-directed or referred access to our HE Support Mentor for guidance to improve your academic writing, ongoing support and guidance from your placement mentor to aid the development of your professional practice, regular feedback from your personal and module tutor on your academic progress, and peer support and feedback on micro teaches and other in-class activities.
    • These support mechanisms and outcomes are recorded via Proportal and your PDP & Teaching File.
    • Your module tutor, placement mentor, yourself and your personal tutor will contribute to your progress reviews and target setting.

Program Outline


Degree Overview:

This program, the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (FE&SS), is designed for individuals seeking to teach students aged 14 and above. It is offered by Nescot, a partner college of the University of Greenwich, and provides a supportive environment for trainee teachers. The course aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in a variety of educational roles, including teaching assistant, further education instructor, and positions in education administration and youth work. The curriculum emphasizes a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills development, encouraging debate, discussion, and analysis. By the end of the program, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of key educational concepts and the significance of learning and teaching within broader societal contexts.


Outline:


Full-time:

  • Year 1:
  • Theories and Principles of Learning (15 credits)
  • Curriculum Development for Inclusive Practice Level 5 (15 credits)
  • PDP (1) (15 credits)
  • PDP (2) (Level 5) (15 credits)
  • Teaching, Learning and Assessment (15 credits)
  • Developing Subject Specific Resources (Level 5) (15 credits)
  • Managing Behaviours in the Learning Environment (15 credits)
  • Reflective Practice (15 credits)
  • Year 2:
  • Curriculum Development for Inclusive Practice Level 5 (15 credits)
  • PDP (2) (Level 5) (15 credits)
  • Developing Subject Specific Resources (Level 5) (15 credits)
  • Reflective Practice (15 credits)

Part-time:

  • Year 1:
  • Theories and Principles of Learning (15 credits)
  • PDP (1) (15 credits)
  • Teaching, Learning and Assessment (15 credits)
  • Managing Behaviours in the Learning Environment (15 credits)
  • Year 2:
  • Curriculum Development for Inclusive Practice Level 5 (15 credits)
  • PDP (2) (Level 5) (15 credits)
  • Developing Subject Specific Resources (Level 5) (15 credits)
  • Reflective Practice (15 credits)

Assessment:

The assessment methods vary depending on the chosen modules.


Teaching:

  • The program is delivered by a team of experienced and qualified educators from diverse backgrounds.
  • The team possesses extensive experience in classroom teaching, management roles, and research, encompassing SEND, secondary, and tertiary settings.
  • The curriculum emphasizes practical teaching skills development and pedagogy, grounded in evidence-based research.

Careers:

  • Upon completion, graduates are fully qualified to teach post-14 students in the FE and Skills Sector.
  • Former students have secured promotions, new teaching positions, and transitions from voluntary to permanent teaching roles.
  • Nescot offers a one-year top-up BA(Hons) Education Studies program for those interested in pursuing a full degree.

Other:

  • The program is particularly suitable for applicants who value the learning opportunities offered by small class sizes.
  • Nescot prides itself on the level of support provided to students, including feedback to facilitate their development and success.
  • The program requires 100 hours of mandatory teaching practice during the training period.
  • Nescot provides teaching practice placements for full-time applicants, but placements are limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Part-time applicants are required to secure their own placements, with assistance provided by the course leader when possible.
  • All placements are supported by a subject-specific mentor and a tutor from the teaching team.
  • The program emphasizes the importance of reflective practice and provides opportunities for students to develop their professional practice.
  • All assignments are returned with detailed feedback, identifying strengths and recommending areas for improvement.
  • The program aims to meet the learning needs of students and help them become confident and independent learners.
  • Support mechanisms and outcomes are recorded through Proportal, PDP, and Teaching Files.
  • Progress reviews and target setting involve contributions from the module tutor, placement mentor, student, and personal tutor.
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