Post-Compulsory Education and Training

Certificate in Education

Professional Graduate Certificate in Education

What does the course involve?

The Certificate in Education and Professional Graduate Certificate in Education are professional qualifications for people teaching in further education colleges, sixth form colleges, adult education, higher education, and a wide range of other training and educational settings that are outside the schools sector.

The courses are available to graduates and to non-graduates with appropriate vocational qualifications. The courses can be studied full-time (Ipswich and Otley Campus only), part-time or on a flexible basis. The two year part-time course will interest teachers and trainers who are already in full or part-time employment. Attendance on this course is one evening or one morning or afternoon per week.

The full-time course will benefit those who wish to obtain a teaching qualification before seeking employment. The full-time mode of study assumes no teaching experience and participants are provided with a supervised teaching placement (subject to availability). The course is designed to develop a range of skills and knowledge required of a professional teacher in a post-compulsory environment. The course places a significant emphasis on participants developing the appropriate skills and knowledge they require to meet the needs of the learner. The fundamental principles of practice are underpinned by reference to theoretical perspectives, thus encouraging participants to effectively link theory to practice. Successful completion of the course is determined by continuous assessment.

The course is designed to encourage students to achieve the aims through engaging in activities which are directly related to their own teaching context. Students are assessed through a mixture of essays, reports, assignments and practical tasks as appropriate for the learning outcomes of each individual module. It is a requirement that all students pass the practical teaching elements of the course. Participants will be observed teaching in the normal teaching context and formally assessed a number of times throughout the programme.

What modules will I study?

This programme has been developed to match the LLUK standards and meet the DfES requirements for new teachers in this sector.

The programme consists of eight core modules which include:

  • Preparing to teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS)
  • Planning and Enabling Learning
  • Enabling Learning and Assessment
  • Theories and Principles of Planning and Enabling Learning
  • Subject Specific Teaching and Learning
  • Continuing Personal and Professional Development
  • Curriculum Design for Inclusive Practice
  • Wider Professional Practice

What different entry requirements are there depending on the route I choose to take?

Part-time in-service route

All applicants on the two year part-time route must have access to teaching opportunities in a post-compulsory environment and have sufficient experience on which to be assessed. This must be a minimum of 75 teaching hours per academic year. Students will be asked to identify a mentor from within their organisation to assist the development of subject-specific teaching skills.

Full-time pre-service route

Entry to this course depends upon the areas of work or subject area the candidate intends to teach. Recruitment will depend upon the availability of an appropriate supervised teaching practice placement. Training bursaries may be available to support students in designated shortage subject areas.

 

Further course information|

Fact File

Typical Entry Requirements:

For the PGCE, applicants will normally possess:

  • A first degree or equivalent qualification.

For the Cert Ed, applicants will normally possess one of the following qualifications:

  • Higher National Certificate or Diploma
  • Full City and Guilds Technological Certificate
  • Royal Society of Arts Advanced Award
  • G/NVQ III/IV Award
  • Other qualifications of equivalent standards to those listed above.

All applicants must have the communication skills to write, understand and participate in English.

Location:

Bury St Edmunds Centre (campus code B)
Great Yarmouth Centre (campus code Y)
Ipswich Campus (campus code I)
Lowestoft Centre (campus code L)
Otley Centre (campus code O)
Suffolk New College (campus code S)

Duration:

Two years in-service part-time route. One year, pre-service full-time route (Ipswich and Otley campuses only).

Pre-course reading list:

  • A Armitage et al, Teaching and Training Post Compulsory Education, 2nd edition, Buckingham: Open University Press, 2003
  • I Reece and S Walker, Teaching, Training and Learning: A Practical Guide, 6th edition, Sundersland: Business Education, 2006

Application Information:

How to Apply|