Teaching Professional Graduate Certificate (PGCE) Further Education and Skills level 6 – P00381

Our two-year, part-time course is validated and certificated by De Montfort University. If you’re joining the course in 2023, you will attend College on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. The course will introduce you to aspects of teaching, learning, and assessment to enable you to develop your work as a teacher, trainer, or tutor. This course is for those working or wanting to work with students who are aged 16 or over, including areas such as sixth form, further education, offender learning, and adult and community education. After successfully completing the course, you will be eligible to apply for QTLS (Qualified Teacher in Learning and Skills status).

The level 6 Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is available to candidates who have already achieved an undergraduate degree. This doesn’t have to be in the subject you want to teach so long as you have significant industrial experience or a minimum level 3 qualification in your specialist teaching area.

Year 1

Over the two years, you will study six modules which include two teaching practice components and a piece of action research.
The course aims to establish knowledge whilst developing your practical skills associated with teaching, learning and assessment within the education and training sector.
First year modules include:
1. Planning and preparing for teaching, learning and assessment – this introductory module will enable you to develop your understanding of the key concepts relating to the planning and preparation of inclusive teaching, learning and assessment.

2. Investigation and applying theories of learning for inclusive practice – this module will provide you with the knowledge and understanding of theories, principles and models of learning and communication.

3. Wider professional development: putting theory into practice (part one) – the purpose of this module is to provide you with the pedagogical experience to develop knowledge, understanding and skills relating to the planning and delivery of effective teaching, learning and assessment within the education and training sector.

Year 2

The second year of the programme encourages you to build on the knowledge gained during year one and explore a wider range of concepts in greater detail. In particular, an emphasis is placed on independent learning, peer collaboration and professional enquiry with regards to teaching, learning and assessment within your own specialist area.

Modules include:
1. Developing practice through action research – this module will enable you to conduct action research on a pedagogical issue relating to your own professional development and practice.

2. Developing effective practice through lesson study – the potential benefits of peer collaboration and peer observation are well documented. This module builds upon the themes originally explored in module one, enabling you to develop your teaching and learning pedagogy by examining factors which contribute to a positive and inclusive learning environment via collaboration with your peers.

3. Wider professional development: putting theory into practice (part two) – progressing from the understanding and knowledge gained in part one, you are expected to demonstrate further competence in creating and maintaining an inclusive learning environment through the evaluation of your own practice.

To enrol onto this course you will require the following:

1. GCSE grade C/4 or Functional Skills level 2 in English and maths (international students may be required to attain an IELTS score of 6.5)
2. An undergraduate degree (or higher)
3. Minimum level 3 qualification or significant industrial experience in your specialist area if not covered by your degree*. If you are unsure about this, please contact the team.
*Those intending to teach academic subjects would usually be expected to have a degree in their subject specialism. Those intending to teach in professional or vocational areas would usually be expected to have a professional or industry qualification and experience of working in their respective sector. There is a general expectation in the sector that a teacher should be qualified to at least one level above that at which they intend to teach, hold the highest level trade qualification available or have particularly substantial professional experience.

4. Evidence of a minimum of 50 hours per year of independent and practical teaching to groups of students while studying (these hours can be found after you have been interviewed but you will not be able to start the course without it being in place).
5. Evidence of a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check.

Applicants who have been resident overseas for three months or more over the last five years must provide a criminal record check for that country. The Home Office provides guidance on applying for criminal records checks for overseas applicants (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants).

You will be required to attend an interview with our admissions tutor where you must evidence that you have the appropriate qualifications/experience for the course and a career in education and training.

Assignments vary from essays, written assignments and presentations to collaboration with peers (lesson study), practical teaching observations and professional discussions. A strong focus is placed on the practical development of you and your classroom performance.

Tuition fees

Total Fees: £2,900.00

Disclaimer

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Once you have completed the course you will be a fully qualified teacher in the post-compulsory education and training sector and will be able to apply for QTLS status. You may wish to move on to take a subject specialist qualification in literacy, ESOL or maths, or progress on to a Masters in education.

Apply online via the College website. You will be contacted to attend an interview if required, or you will be sent a conditional offer according to the entry requirements for the course. You will then be invited to enrol for your chosen course of study.