Program Overview

Education & Training

PGCE

Overview

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) qualification will equip you to teach in the post-14 further education and skill sector, which includes colleges, sixth forms, adult and community learning, the NHS, offender learning, the Police service, and private sector training organisations.

Why Study with Us

• Opportunities to study and train to be a teacher at one of our UCLan partner colleges across the North West.
• A wide range of teaching roles, with opportunities for progression and promotion, are available across the further education and skills sector.
• Our course is well established and enjoys an excellent reputation in the further education and skills sector.

What You'll Do

• Train to be a teacher in the further education and skills sector, studying at one of our North West partner colleges of your choice.
• Undertake your own project work on topics within teaching that have interest and relevance to your specialist subject and future career.
• Apply the latest thinking on teaching to equip yourself with the knowledge and skills required to work in the exciting and dynamic further education and skills sector.

Modules

Compulsory Modules

• Teaching, Learning and Assessment in the Further Education and Skills Sector
• Developing Subject Specialist Practice
• Policy and Professionalism in the Further Education and Skills Sector
• Designing and Developing an Inclusive Curriculum
• Advancing Subject Specialist Practice
• Research Informed Practice (PGCE)

Entry Requirements

• UK honours degree (normally 2:2 or above) or equivalent related to your specialist area
• A minimum of a Level 3 qualification in all the specialist subjects they will be teaching (if different to degree subject)
• GCSE English at grade C/4 or above (or OfQual approved equivalent)
• GCSE Mathematics at grade C/4 or above (or OfQual approved equivalent)
• Where English is not your first language: the ability to communicate fluently, accurately and effectively in professional spoken English (IELTS 7.5 with no element lower than 7.0 (or equivalent)
• A teaching contract or a voluntary placement across two institutions, that includes: A minimum of 150 hours of teaching practice (including 20 hours online synchronous teaching); A minimum of 100 hours of non-teaching practice; A named subject specialist mentor in the primary placement location; A named pastoral mentor in the primary placement location.
• Completion of a satisfactory course interview
• Completion of a satisfactory subject interview
• Provide confirmation of an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

Fees and Funding

Please contact your chosen college(s) for fees information as partner colleges have their own fees structure.

The course is eligible for applications to Student Finance England for a student loan to cover the full costs of your tuition fees. In addition, you may be eligible for a maintenance loan depending on your household income.

Additional Costs

As part of your course, there may be additional costs to consider that are not included in your tuition fees. Most of these will be optional, but some courses have essential additional costs.

Learning and Assessment

This PGCE recognises the diversity of student learning needs and experiences. Teaching, learning and assessment strategies have all been designed to meet these differing needs. Guest speakers from different areas of the further education and skills sector may also be included as part of the course where applicable.

Your teaching placement is a central feature of the course. You are required to teach for a minimum of 150 hours of teaching over the period of the course to together with a minimum of 100 non-teaching hours over two placements. This is a national requirement.

You can expect a wide range of assessments on the course, which are undertaken both individually as well as in groups. Examples of methods of assessment used include reports, case studies, reflective writing pieces, presentations, academic posters, observations of your own and others’ teaching practice, and assignments.

Pathway Opportunities

If you find that the PGCE is not for you, you might want to consider one of our other Initial Teacher Education courses including:

• Certificate in Education and Training (CertEd)
• Intermediate Certificate in Education and Training
• Introductory Certificate in Education and Training
• Preparation for Education and Training
• PGDip Professional Practice in Education
• MEd Professional Practice in Education
• Doctorate in Education

Further Information

This PGCE will not confer Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). However, there are opportunities to work in secondary schools, including academies and free schools after completing this PGCE, especially so if you complete professional formation and gain Qualified Teacher, Learning and Skills (QTLS) status.

This qualification is suitable for those who are already teaching (in-service) as well as those who are new to teaching. Your partner college will assist you to find a placement, but this is not always guaranteed.