Post-Compulsory PGCE: Pre-service

The pre-service pathway is aimed at people who wish to train to teach in the post-compulsory education sector, which includes further education, adult education and sixth form colleges.

The programme is a blend of teaching theory and teaching practice. It will help you develop generic teaching skills that can be used in teaching your own subject in post-compulsory education. It provides opportunities to explore key issues and policies relating to post-compulsory education and what they mean in terms of your teaching practice and career progression.

There are two routes available:

• a full-time route leading to a PGCE, level 7 qualification (Post Graduate Certificate in Education)
• a part-time route leading to a PGCE, level 6 qualification (Professional Graduate Certificate in Education).

Both qualifications are endorsed by the Institute for Learning (IfL) and are recognised as qualifications that meet the requirements for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills status (QTLS).

On completion of the PGCE, you may use your masters level credits to gain entry to an IOE masters programme.

Features

The full-time and part-time routes follow a four module structure. There is a taught element delivered at the Institute and a practical teaching element within a college teaching placement. We will find a teaching placement for you and you will undertake 120 hours minimum of practical teaching over the period you are training (part-time trainees will undertake 60 hours per year).

Length of programme and attendance

The full-time route is delivered over one year during which time you will be either in a teaching placement college, or at the Institute.

The part-time route is two years in length and you should be available one morning per week for the taught programme at the Institute and at least one 3 hour period per week for your teaching placement. The part-time route may be particularly suitable for people who wish to train to teach in the sector whilst continuing to work.

Entry requirements

Full-time route - you will be an honours graduate with an academic or vocational degree in the subject area you wish to teach.

Part-time route - you will be a graduate, or hold a professional qualification at level 3 or above in the subject area you wish to teach.

For both routes you will be intent on becoming a professional educator and committed to inclusive learning. You should be able to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English and be competent in numeracy and the use of I.T.

Assessment

You will be assessed through written professional development reports and regular observations of your practical teaching skills.

More information

Please see our Post-Compulsory PGCE: Pre-service information sheet (pdf, 0.3mb)