Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Post-compulsory

Study modules

Compulsory modules

Introduction to Teaching (15 credits)

This is a basic introduction to teaching, which prepares you for your teaching placement. You’ll learn about the roles and responsibilities of teachers, how to plan lessons, how to teach them and assess students’ learning. Following on from this introduction, you’ll examine these topics in more depth, looking closely at:

• different aspects of planning learning
• initial and diagnostic assessment of learners
• using resources effectively
• successful delivery of inclusive learning and teaching.

The complete module gives you an introduction to the knowledge, skills and qualities required of teachers and allows you to begin to develop some basic teaching skills.

Educational Theories in Learning and Teaching (15 credits)

You’ll examine the principles and theories of learning that underpin recommended good practice in the sector. You’ll engage with theories and principles of learning and communication, and use them to support your planning, management and evaluation of learning. Through your teaching experiences, you’ll have a context in which to critically examine the theories and principles you’re studying.

Digital Literacies (15 credits)

This module explores the role of digital skills in teaching and learning and the importance of developing digital literacies in the post-compulsory sector. The module considers policy, theory, frameworks and research to explore the effective use of technology for learning.

Hands-on activities will build your practical digital skills to become an effective teacher in the post-compulsory sector. The development of digital resources for independent learning will help you embed these skills in your professional practice.

Developing Practice Through Research (20 credits)

You’ll have the opportunity to investigate key issues related to your own practice in the Post Compulsory sector. You’ll identify an issue and explore its wider context through the study of the relevant academic literature and policy.

• You’ll gain a deep understanding of the theory and pedagogy of your area of concern.
• You will develop a rationale for a proposed intervention that may address the issues identified.
• You’ll reflect on the potential impact of the intervention and identify specific areas for your own professional development.

Curriculum Design for Diversity (20 credits)

This module is an opportunity to explore a range of contexts within the Post Compulsory sector. You’ll use theory, principles and models of curriculum design, to examine the requirements of an inclusive curriculum.

You will:

• analyse the significance of equality and diversity for curriculum design
• identify ways to promote equality within the practice.

The emphasis will be on innovative curriculum design that considers the evolving nature of the sector. You will re/design a scheme of work within your subject specialism using your experience and the content of the module to inform this process.

Contextualising Policy within a Subject Specialism (20 credits)

You’ll learn about the history and wider context of your subject specialism within the post-compulsory sector. You’ll look at the sector within local, national and international contexts, and you’ll explore concepts of professionalism and accountability. You may also look at other topics, such as:

• organisational culture and structure
• funding mechanisms and resource allocation
• education markets, choice and competition within the post-compulsory sector.

Developing Professional Practice (15 credits)

You will critically engage with:

• the content of the programme
• your experiences on placement
• the Post Compulsory sector
• the Professional Standards.

You’ll provide evidence of your continuing development as a practitioner. Focussing on the planning and assessment processes while you’re in practice, documenting the dialogue between yourself, your tutor and your placement mentor. While developing your professional practice throughout the programme, meet the required Professional Standards.

School-based learning

School-based training

For your teaching practice, you'll be placed with a suitable provider who will coordinate your teaching experience and provide you with a mentor. You will begin by observing experienced teachers and working alongside them. You'll build working relationships and gain a deep understanding of the professional requirements to become an effective teacher.

You'll gradually move towards teaching up to nine hours a week by the end of your first term.

A PGCE in Post Compulsory education will give you the edge in the competitive further and adult education jobs market. And you’ll graduate ready to teach in colleges and other further education settings, like:

• higher education
• the health service
• adult and community education
• the prison service
• the armed forces
• private training.

You’ll also gain Masters’ level credits that can be applied to a Masters’ level course if you choose to further develop your qualifications later in your career.

And we have strong links with local partner colleges, supporting your employment prospects.