Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) (Lifelong Learning)

Course Overview

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education is aimed at those who wish to acquire knowledge and develop skills that are required to work in teaching in the lifelong learning sector, outside of schools. The Pre-Service pathway is for those with no experience of teaching and a willingness and opportunity to complete 250 hours of teaching on a placement, which must be arranged prior to starting the course.

If you are already teaching within a training or education setting outside of the schools’ sector, the In-service pathway is appropriate. Successful completion of the course will provide students with a route to professional status for teachers in lifelong learning, Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status.

The course is particularly suitable if you have work experience in an industry relevant to the further education curriculum. For example, business and administration, hair and beauty, health and social care, childcare, construction, engineering, computing and digital.

There is a strong focus on the practice of teaching, which you will undertake and demonstrate either through your employment or placement, working alongside your tutors, mentor and professional colleagues. This is of course accompanied and underpinned by academic study over the duration of the programme.

Course Requirements

You should normally:

• Be in paid employment (in-service) as a teacher or trainer at a recognised training or educational establishment (e.g. Further Education College, Independent Training Provider) or working as a volunteer teacher or trainer

OR

• Be able to arrange a placement of 250 hours (125 per year) in such a provider over the two years (pre-service).

• Have a UK first degree or equivalent, normally at 2.1 or above to be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in Education

• Applicants holding a UK first degree or equivalent at 2.2 will be awarded a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education.

• Have a Level 3 qualification or above in the subject area you wish to teach (if this is different from your degree)

• Hold Level 2 Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above.

You must be willing and able to attend a 2-day Specialist Conference, held at the Queensgate campus, University of Huddersfield.

What you will Learn

You will start by completing the Research Informed Teaching, Learning and Assessment module which aims to develop your understanding of how people learn in the Lifelong Learning Sector.

The role of assessment, theories and principles of learning and assessment are explored, and students will apply research-informed approaches to the design of effective teaching and learning strategies.

You will review your practice as a trainee teacher and explore your teaching values and knowledge of your subject specialism. The Becoming a Subject Specialist Teacher module will also address how to identify and respond to students’ individual needs and how to develop inclusive teaching and learning environments. Evaluation of your teaching effectiveness and development as a reflective practitioner forms an integral part of this module.

You will subsequently build on your previous generic and subject specialist development. In the Being a Subject Specialist Teacher module you will develop more advanced strategies and methods for promoting learning and focus on subject specialist areas and the critical analysis of subject specialist pedagogy.

Students will be encouraged to identify and recognise curriculum and professional challenges and develop their ability to respond to these in innovative and creative ways.

Assessment

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, including:

• Micro-teaching.

• Assignments.

• Observation of practical teaching.

• Teaching portfolio.

• Contributions to subject specialist conference papers.

Progression

• Progression to a Masters degree such as the MA in Teaching in Lifelong Learning.

Career Options

This course will prepare you a teaching role in the Lifelong Learning Sector. This may include roles such as:

• Further and higher education lecturer.

• Trainer in private training organisation.

• Adult education tutor.

You will also be eligible to apply for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status, the full professional status for teachers in the Lifelong Learning Sector.

Mandatory Units

Modules include:

• Research Informed Teaching, Learning and Assessment

• Becoming a Subject Specialist Teacher

• Being a Subject Specialist Teacher

• Curriculum and Context