PGCE Further Education & Skills Sector
Our Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) will give you the skills to become a teacher in Further Education colleges.
We focus on teaching in a variety of settings, including colleges, adult education centres, and community organisations. The course develops your knowledge of pedagogy and helps you gain vital classroom management skills. For full-time students, we offer placements in a variety of subjects. These include animal care, art and design, beauty and hairdressing, catering, childcare, construction, leisure and tourism, humanities, photography and sport science.
We offer endorsements in the following subject areas, which is equivalent to a Level 5 Diploma in the teaching of the subject area:
- Numeracy
- Literacy
- ESOL (English for speakers of other languages)
- ESOL and Literacy.
You will complete at least 100 hours of teaching experience (125 hours for ESOL and Literacy). For distance learning, you must be in a teaching/training role, and all practice is carried out in your setting.
We also offer QTLS in partnership with the Society of Education and Training (SET), making us the first provider to offer this in London.
UCAS points
N/A (full requirements below)
Course/institution codes
N/A
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School
Locations
Duration
- 1 years full-time
- 2 years distance learning
Start month
September; January
Home/international fees 2023/24
£9,250 /£16,150
What you should know about this course
What you will study
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 Skills 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.
Clearing entry requirements
Typical UCAS points for Clearing entry: N/A
Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject.
Other requirements may be needed. Further details on entry requirements available.
Please call our Clearing Line or join live chat now to discuss your options.
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use Prior Learning?
For distance programme equating to year 1 of the programme. Direct entry into Year Two is available for the distance programme with evidence of appropriate prior learning.
Enhanced disclosure
Applicants for this course are required to complete a suitability declaration, an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check, and an occupational health check.
How you will learn
Learning experience
Learning takes place through a combination of timetabled learning and independent study.
You can view more information about how each module is taught within our 'What you will study' section.
Seminars and workshops enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups. You will also be able to meet your personal tutor. Timetabled learning may fall between 9am and 9pm depending on your courses and tutorials.
Class sizes
Class sizes vary by module. Lectures are normally attended by larger groups, and seminars / tutorials by smaller groups. This can vary more widely for modules that are shared between degrees. All students will have opportunities for 1-to-1 time with their tutors.
Independent learning
Outside of timetabled sessions, you are also expected to dedicate around 30 hours a week to self-study. This may involve further reading and research, preparing coursework and presentations, and preparing for tests and exams. Our facilities are designed to support you in these activities.
We encourage you to join societies and participate in sporting and other activities to engage in the wider life of the university community.
Overall workload
If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion with the number of courses you are studying.
Each module you study towards this degree is worth 15 or 30 credits. These represent around 150 or 300 study hours respectively. If you receive 100 contact hours for a 30-credit module, you should expect to commit 200 hours to independent study to complete it successfully.
Assessment
Students are assessed through a combination of assessment methods depending on the modules chosen.
You can view how each module is assessed within our 'What you will study' section.
Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. Some courses may also include 'practice' assignments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.
Feedback summary
We aim to provide feedback on assignments and to release examination results within 15 working days.
Dates and timetables
The academic year runs from September to June.
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 | N/A | £771 per 30 credits |
| International | £16,150 | N/A | £1,346 per 30 credits |
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 just over £100 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.
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.
Further costs may include (but are not limited to):
- Photocopying and poster prints for research presentation.
- Travel costs to placement (can be up to 90 minutes from home).
- Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) charge of £53. The optional update charge is currently £13 (a DBS service to register a disclosure certificate to keep it active for future use).
- Occupational Health check form to be completed by a doctor. Fee is set by the doctor's surgery.
Careers and placements
Will I have a work placement?
Placements are a core element of teacher training which enable our trainees to put theory into practice in a supportive environment. We are lucky to work with a wide range of partners across London, Essex and Kent to support our trainees. We work closely with trainees when deciding on placements to ensure that trainees get the best training possible whilst on our programmes. Our strong partnerships ensure our trainees are well supported and have outstanding experiences whilst training with us.
How long is my placement?
80% of the programme is placement.
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
Graduates may pursue teaching careers in the Further Education and Skills sector.
Do you provide employability services?
Our Employability & Careers Service (ECS) is committed to supporting our students and recent graduates in their transition towards a rewarding graduate destination. We aim to empower our students to achieve their potential, with support including:
- CV and cover letter checks
- Application support
- One-to-one careers advice
- Interview tips and support
- Careers fairs
- Internships
- Graduate jobs.
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 librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our undergraduate courses or check our related courses below.....
Teacher training at the University of Greenwich
Study at a university with over a century of experience training teachers. We’ve got strong links with schools, and our primary education courses are rated outstanding by Ofsted.
Visit our teacher training degrees page.
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