Level: 7 | Duration: 2 Years | Start Date: September
Days of the Week: Thursdays, 1pm-6pm (1pm-5pm: lesson hours, 5pm-6pm: Continuous Professional Development) (TBC for 2025)
Location: Riverside College, Kingsway, Widnes, WA8 7QQ
Part Time Course
Following DfE guidelines, there may will be changes to this qualification for 25/26 entrance.
Qualification awarded by Staffordshire University
Following DfE guidelines, there will be changes to this qualification for 24/25 entrance
Overview
The Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PCET) is an ideal course for vocational experts who wish to gain a full teaching qualification in order to seek employment in the Further Education Sector.
This is a 2-year in-service qualification meaning that candidates must have a paid teaching position or an organised paid or unpaid teaching experience. There is a requirement for candidates to have a minimum of 150 hours teaching in each year in a “full teaching role”.
A “full” teaching role is one with wider responsibilities, including materials you have designed yourself, teaching across a range of levels, learners or types and contributing to a range of programmes of varying lengths.
There is an additional requirement of 100 hours of wider teacher role responsibilities and access to a subject specific mentor, which includes 20 hours contrasting placement.
Riverside College may be able to offer voluntary teaching experience to exceptional candidates, depending on subject availability and candidate suitability. You will learn how to plan and deliver inclusive learning by gaining an in depth understanding of the principles of learning, assessment and curriculum design.
When you enrol, you will receive the date of your first induction session where you will receive your timetable for the academic year.
On successful completion of the Post Graduate Certificate in Education award, students will be awarded with a Staffordshire University degree.
Entry Requirements:
- A Level 3 qualification in the subject/skill area you wish to teach
- A degree in the subject/skills you wish to teach (normally a 2:1 classification degree)
- GCSE Grade C in English Language and maths (or equivalent)
- A current enhanced satisfactory DBS
- 150 hours teaching practice and access to a subject specific mentor
- 100 hours of wider teacher role responsibilities and access to a subject specific mentor
- Take part in a Step into Teaching Day at College
Course Fee (Per Year): £3,995 (TBC for 2025)
Click here for information about Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.
What will I learn on this course?
You will learn how to plan and deliver inclusive learning through gaining an in depth understanding of the theories and principles of learning, assessment and curriculum design. You will also complete a Continuing Personal and Professional Development module in Year 2 and undertake an action research project to develop your practice and skills.
The qualification will consist of 1 x 40 credit module at Level 4 and 1 x 20 credit module at Level 6 (completed in Year 1) with 1 x 40 credit module and 1 x 20 credit module at Level 7 (completed in Year 2). You will be required to attend taught sessions each week as well as undertaking self-study and substantial wider reading.
Course Highlights
- 100% pass rate over the last 5 years
- Outstanding teacher practitioners with ATS status/undertaking a research scholarship
- Nationally recognised in the sector for innovative approaches to continuing professional development.
Why choose Riverside College for this course?
We have highly experienced, knowledgeable and friendly staff who offer a supportive and inclusive learning environment. We have an excellent success rate on this programme.
How will I be assessed?
There are both theory and practical assignments. You will also be assessed by observation. The practical assessment of teaching requires the completion of 100 hours of teaching practice over 2 years (this could be as little as 2 hours per week but across two different levels). It will include 8 formal observations. Two of the 8 teaching observations must be undertaken by a subject specialist mentor. There is no examination on this course.
What will this course lead on to?
Upon completion, successful teachers can go on to teach in FE/other post compulsory training/education settings, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria, you may be able to undertake a period of professional formation leading to the achievement of Qualified Teaching Learning and Skills Status (QTLS).
Higher Education Links
Course Features
- Lecture 0
- Quiz 0
- Duration 10 weeks
- Skill level All levels
- Students 0
- Assessments Yes
