Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Taught)

Course Overview
This programme offers current and aspiring education professionals, teaching within a range of educational contexts, a flexible route towards gaining a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Please note that this course does not include qualified teacher status (QTS) or any other teaching qualifications, and it is delivered wholly online. The course is relevant to all subjects and students will have the opportunity to focus on improving their individual practice through critical reflection and developing an understanding of evidence-informed practice.

This programme might appeal to home (English and Welsh) school teachers who have a BA with QTS (i.e. no postgraduate qualification because they became a teacher through an undergraduate route), overseas school teachers who have their own country's teaching qualification but would like a PGCE, teaching assistants (with an undergraduate degree) who want a postgraduate qualification, and existing teachers/teaching assistants with a BA or BSc who want a stepping-stone to a full Master's degree at a manageable pace.

How You Study
The course is delivered online and the structure of the course offers students convenient and flexible access to undertake PGCE study alongside employment as a classroom practitioner. The structure of the programme will involve a variety of interactive taught pre-recorded sessions and independent study. The modules provide manageable blocks of study that fit within schools' term time structure and are flexible enough in scope to meet the needs of a diverse range of UK and international student contexts.

The programme will make use of the University's learning technologies for content delivery, including podcasts, webinars, and discussion groups so that course materials and participation are as accessible as possible. Students will complete each learning unit through self-directed study of online resources, supported by academic staff.