PGCE Post-compulsory
PGCE
Key facts
Start dates
September 2019 / September 2020
Course length
Full time: 12 months
Part time: 24 months (in-service)
Department
School of Education
Overview
The PGCE Post-Compulsory Education is the professional qualification for those who wish to teach in the education and training sector. This includes further education colleges and adult education. Completing the course leads to QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills) status, equivalent to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
You can study full-time or part time. The course covers the following aspects of teaching and learning in the post-compulsory sector:
- assessing learners’ needs
- planning and preparing teaching and learning programmes for groups and individuals
- developing and using a range of teaching and learning techniques
- managing the learning process
- providing learners with support
- assessing the outcomes of learning and learners’ achievements
- reflecting on and evaluating your own performance, and planning for future practice
- working within a professional value base and conforming to agreed codes of professional practice.
You'll receive a personally tailored individual learner plan. And your personal tutor will support you throughout your studies.
How to apply
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
GCSE: GCSE English and Maths grade 4-5 are required prior to entry.
Entry requirements for full-time course (one year)
Applicants are welcome from any academic discipline that is taught in FE or post-compulsory education and training.
Admission is open to those with a good undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) or other professional / vocational qualification relevant to the subject you wish to teach.
We also accept those with relevant vocational qualifications and experience who do not necessarily possess a degree.
Entry requirements for part-time course (two years)
You will need to be teaching for at least 50 hours during each of the academic years in which you undertake the course (100 hours in total). A degree is not necessary for admission to the course but you are required to have a Level 3 qualification which may be a vocational qualification in your subject. The course requires attendance of one day per week for two academic years.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
Screening
All applicants will be screened for fitness to practise and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be made.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
International applications
International students requiring a Tier 4 visa cannot study this course at Swindon College, but can apply to study it at our other partners.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.
Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.
If you need to improve your English language, we offer pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Application process
Postgraduate Certificate in Education - full-time course
Graduates should apply to:
UCAS for Teacher Training
Rose Hill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham GL52 3LZ
Tel: 0371 334 4447
Website: www.ucas.com/apply/teacher-training
Postgraduate Certificate in Education - part-time course
Applications for the part-time course should be made directly to Oxford Brookes University.
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year your fees will increase each year.
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course, if any, are detailed below.
Financial support and scholarships
Learning and assessment
Your personal tutor will support and guide you through the course using a tailored, individual learner plan. You'll develop your skills as a reflective practitioner in all your teacher training and roles.
If you take the full-time course, you will undertake teaching practice in a post-16 institution. All students will be observed teaching in their setting or institution.
The full-time course is designed for students who wish to enter the profession and can only be studied at our Harcourt Hill Campus.
The part-time course is designed for those already employed as teachers and trainers in:
- the education and training sector - this might be in further education
- higher education
- the health service
- adult and community education
- the prison service
- the armed forces
- private training providers.
The part-time course can only be studied at one of our partner colleges:
Study modules
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Learning and teaching
Part-time students
You will study for one day at the local college over two years.
Full-time students
You will take an introductory module for the first three weeks of your course. This covers working in the classroom or other learning environments. You will be based at Harcourt Hill Campus.
After the introductory module, you will be placed with a suitable provider. They will coordinate your teaching experience and provide you with a mentor. You will:
- begin by observing experienced teachers
- work alongside experienced teachers
- gradually move towards teaching up to nine hours a week by the end of the first term.
You will attend the university on Thursdays and Fridays.
Your teaching placements will be on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Assessment of this part of the course will be through the compilation of a portfolio of evidence and a series of written assignments. This will include resources and plans you create for teaching sessions.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
The most important aspect of your assessment will be the development of your teaching skills with individuals and groups.
Your teaching will be observed by:
- your mentor
- a placement coordinator
- a university tutor.
In order to pass the course you must demonstrate:
- your competence as a teacher
- your development as a reflective practitioner.
In addition you will be required to undertake assignments relating to the course modules.
There are no examinations and all assessment is on a pass or refer basis.
Please note there is no guarantee of employment with your placement college when you have completed the course.
Research
The School of Education is a thriving centre for educational research and teacher professional development. Students on master's level programmes therefore join a large research community comprising researchers at all levels of higher education study.
We hold two major research conferences each year - the School of Education Research Conference and the EdD Colloquium. All students are invited to attend our annual Research
Seminar Series (which attracts both internal and external speakers). We also organise a number of conferences, lectures, seminars and debates, some of which have an international reach.
The School’s six research groups exist to encourage engagement in research, publication, conference presentations, seminars and workshops:
- Inclusion and Wellbeing
- Policy, Partnership and Leadership
- STEAM pedagogy and learning
- Humanistic Perspectives on Education
- Early Years
- Applied Linguistics
After you graduate
Career prospects
We have strong links with local partner colleges offering excellent employment prospects for students.
Programme Changes: On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website.
For more information, please visit our Changes to programmes page.