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Postgraduate courses 2024/25

Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (Further Education and Training)

Our Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) will give you the skills to become a teacher in Further Education colleges.

These programmes are for those who teach or intend to teach in further education colleges, sixth-form colleges, adult education centres, art colleges, healthcare, or community organisations, the public services and a wide range of commercial and voluntary organisations.

The programmes provide the skills needed for teaching and learning and classroom management and help trainees to explore the theory underpinning teaching practices.

Leaders’ ambitions are for their trainees to become innovative teachers and future leaders in the further education and training sector. They successfully recruit trainees who represent diverse communities and who act as role models for learners in a wide range of settings, including colleges and schools. (Ofsted 2023)

The programmes are offered in two modes of study: full-time attendance which will benefit those wishing to obtain a qualification before seeking employment and which incorporates a period of supervised teaching practice (pre-service); and the part-time mode aimed at teachers and trainers who are already employed (in service).

School

Education

Duration

  • 1 years full-time
  • 2 years part-time

Start month

September; January

Home/international fees 2024/25

£9,250 /£17,000

What you should know about this course

  • Our programme offers transition through the professional formation process leading to QTLS status.
  • Our programmes are representative of the students we teach and communities we serve.
  • We develop local teachers who teach with passion and purpose for the empowerment of the learners they teach.

What you will study

Full-time mode is only available for September starters. Part-time mode is available for January and September starters.

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Course information is currently unavailable for this programme. Please contact course-info@gre.ac.uk for more information.

About the course team

The course team are experienced Further Education teachers and lecturers from a variety of specialisms. They are passionate about the role they play in supporting and producing new teachers/lecturers for the Further Education and Training sector.

Come and meet us

We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.

Next Open Days

Got a question?

To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.

Entry requirements

If you are

Qualifications

  • An undergraduate (honours) degree at 2:2 or above in a relevant subject
  • Applicants with a degree in an unrelated subject may be considered if they have a  Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject.
  • In addition, you will need: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C or equivalent. Equivalent qualifications may be considered. We accept equivalency tests from Equivalency Testing for Career Development and A Star Equivalency Testing

For more information, contact courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or 020 8331 9000.

You can also read our admissions policy.

The University of Greenwich accepts a broad range of international qualifications for admission to our courses. If you cannot find your country on this list, please contact international@gre.ac.uk.

Choose your country:

Further information about entry

Application and selection

Applicants will also be required to:

Available to overseas students?

Yes

Can I use Prior Learning?

If you already hold a teaching or training qualification, please refer to the Tariff of Qualifications (ITT) Database for accreditation of prior learning and discuss with the admissions tutor at the interview.

How you will learn

Teaching

In a typical week, learning takes place through a combination of lectures and seminars. You will be studying Level 6 modules where you will be able to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller group sessions. You will be supported by a university tutor and placement/workplace mentor. Module resources are accessible via Moodle.

Class sizes

We offer personalised learning with small tutor groups of 25. The typical student intake per year averages 45. Lectures are normally attended by 45, and seminars/tutorials by 20-25.

Independent learning

Outside of timetabled sessions, you will need to dedicate time to self-study to prepare for course work, presentation, and portfolio subject knowledge. Our library and online resources will support your further reading and research. You can also join a range of student societies.

Overall workload

Your overall workload consists of contact hours (lectures, seminars, etc), independent learning, and assessments. For full-time students, the workload should be roughly equivalent to a full-time job.

Assessment

The course is entirely coursework based. You will be assessed on the quality of written assignments and classroom teaching. Your teaching will be observed on eight occasions by your mentor and tutor, and you will need to pass all modules.

Feedback summary

Information coming soon.

Dates and timetables

Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.

Fees and funding

Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.

Full time Part time Distance learning
Home £9,250 £2,312 per 30 credits N/A
International £17,000 £4,250 per 30 credits N/A

Accommodation costs

Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.

Accommodation pages

Funding your study

There is a range of financial support options available to support your studies, including the Aspire@Greenwich award for study resources that many full-time students will receive.

EU students may be eligible for a bursary to support their study. View our EU bursary to find out more.

Discover more about grants, student loans, bursaries and scholarships. We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.

Financial support

Resources: you may need to purchase books for your studies (estimate, £100 per year).

Placements: you are expected to pay for your transport to your placements during the year.

Careers and placements

Will I have a work placement?

Our core programme will see you based in a placement college where you will participate in a range of professional activities.You will undertake a minimum of 150 hours of placement activity over two placements to meet the sector requirements.

What sort of careers do graduates pursue?

Graduates of this programme can pursue a teaching career in the Further Education and Skills sector.

Currently 85% of trainees get employment from the placement setting where they train during their study.

Do you provide employability services?

Our services are designed to help you achieve your potential and support your transition towards a rewarding graduate career.


The Employability and Careers Service provides support when you are preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles. It includes CV clinics, mock interviews, and employability skills workshops.


Each School also has its own Employability Officer, who works closely with the industry and will provide specific opportunities relevant to your own course.


We hold an Employability Fair which is attended by Partnership schools.

Support and advice

Academic skills and study support

We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject expert librarians, and our academic skills centre.

Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics.

Support from the department

During the course, you will be allocated a personal tutor who will support your studies. Your tutor will be on hand to offer both personal career and academic guidance. Support is tailored to meet the needs of each of our individual students to ensure high quality outcomes.

Accommodation information

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Not quite what you were looking for?

We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our postgraduate courses or check our related courses below.....

Teacher training at the University of Greenwich

We’ve over a century of experience training excellent teachers and strong links with schools and employers. Our courses are also rated good by Ofsted for our Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Further Education and Training teaching (Ofsted, 2023).

Visit our teacher training degrees page.

Study education at the University of Greenwich


Senior teaching fellow Suzy Hails and primary education student Claudine Henney discuss our teaching programmes

Mode of study

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Apply now

If you are a UK student or have settled/pre-settled status (EU) and you want to study full-time then you apply through the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS).

If you are a UK student or have settled/pre-settled status (EU) and you want to study part-time then you can apply directly via our online application form.

If you are from outside the UK, you can apply via UCAS, directly via our online application form or via one of our in-country representatives. If you require a student visa, you cannot study part-time at undergraduate level.