University of Sunderland

PGCE Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET)

* Exceptions may apply.  Please see Fees and Finance for further information.

Introduction

This course allows you to apply for QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning Status) and does NOT allow you to apply for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

The Professional Graduate/Certificate in Education is a nationally recognised qualification that offers a route into teaching in the post-compulsory education and training (PCET) sector. It is designed for those who wish to become teachers, lecturers or trainers. Training Bursaries may be available, subject to government funding.

In 2007, the PCET department was designated a Centre of Excellence in Teacher Training (CETT). Named SUNCETT, it is one of only 11 CETTs in England, and prides itself on its innovative and creative approaches to teacher education within the University and its partner colleges. Accordingly, retention, achievement and course satisfaction levels are consistently very high. Our former students have gained employment across the sector, including FE colleges, Sixth Forms, Adult and Community Education, and Training Providers. There are also opportunities to specialise in teaching Skills for Life, Literacy or Numeracy to adults.

The PGCE PCET course will develop your practical knowledge and skills in designing, delivering and assessing PCET learning programmes to students in post-compulsory education (16 years to adult). The PCET sector also includes students aged 14 and above on vocational programmes of education, in line with recent education reforms. Standards Verification UK endorses the programme.

This pre-service route is designed for those who do not have previous experience of teaching. To support you, we will help arrange a 150-hour teaching practice placement in the Learning and Skills sector. This is a valuable opportunity to design, deliver, assess and evaluate teaching and learning in the sector, under the guidance of a mentor in your subject specialist area.

A professional teaching qualification is a requirement for employment as a teacher in the post-compulsory sector. The qualification offered by the University incorporates the required licenses to teach. These are Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) and the Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS). What's more, if you would like to continue your studies and enhance your career development prospects, it prepares you for the academic demands of Diploma, Degree and Masters programmes in Education.

For information on the Pre-Service Professional Graduate/Certificate in Post Compulsory Education and Training please click here.

All applicants to this course are required to have undergone the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure process prior to commencement of study on their chosen programme.

Applicants are also required to complete a medical pro forma.

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Course Content

Level 1
There are four modules at Level 1

• Introduction to Planning and Managing Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Post Compulsory Education and Training
• Practical Teaching and Development 1
• Developing Theories of Teaching, Learning and Assessment in PCET
• Practical Teaching and Professional Development 2

Level 2 or 3

There are three modules at Level 2 or Level 3 depending upon Certificate or Professional Graduate Pathway

• Contextualising Policy and Curriculum in Post Compulsory Education and Training
• Enhancing Learning Through Innovation and Change in Post Compulsory Education and Training
• Practical Teaching and Professional Development 3

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Entry Requirements

In addition to subject qualifications it is a certification requirement that all students must have evidence of achievement of NQF LV2 in literacy and numeracy.

Students who fall short of this will be required to seek additional learning support in order to fulfil the personal literacy and numeracy demands of the course.

Entrants to the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education are expected to have a degree in their specialist subject.

Those students enrolling on the Certificate in Education are expected to have at least NQF Level 3 qualification in their specialist subject. If you do not possess standard entry qualifications, you may apply for exceptional entry, on the grounds of prior learning and experience.

All successful applicants will be interviewed.

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Fees and Finance

The fees for this course are as specified in the table at the top of the page.

Please note that different fees apply to students studying for "Equivalent or Lower Qualifications" (ELQs). For more information about ELQs, please see the page Information for applicants who already have an HE Qualification.

For information about University scholarships and bursaries please see the page Fees and Finance.

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Teaching and Assessment

The course is designed to support the training and development needs of intending teachers who wish to work in the post-compulsory education and training.

You will be taught by methods, which encourage you to reflect upon your initial and continuing professional development.

These consist of lectures, seminars and tutorials, directed learning, student centred learning and group work.

Assessment is through assignments, seminars, presentations and observed teaching practice.

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Work Experience

In order to satisfy assessment criteria, the university will assist pre-service students in accessing 150 hours teaching practice through a placement in an appropriate institution.

Whilst on placement you will progressively be required to accept responsibility for programme design, delivery assessment and evaluation of teaching and learning.

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Career Opportunities

Your PG/CE (PCET) will enhance your employment prospects throughout thre post-complusory sector. Also, if you would like to continue your studies, it counts towards Diploma, Degree and Masters programmes in Education.

This qualification incorporates the required licenses to teach PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Sector); and DTLLS (Diploma to teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector).

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Facilities

*World Class Web/Design Tools*
The University of Sunderland has made a significant investment in providing students with access to the latest releases of Adobe products.

Selected PCs within the St Peter's and Murray Libraries have been pre-loaded with the Creative Suite 4 (CS4) Adobe Design Premium Suite for your exclusive use.

CS4 Creative includes key products such as Indesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver as well as Photoshop and a range of many others.

Further information is available from:

http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/creativesuite/design/

For information regarding locations of PC or Macs within your own faculty that have access to Adobe products please contact your Faculty IT Support.

If you are interested in purchasing Adobe products for your own PC/Mac Adobe offer significant savings for student purchases via any of its approved re-sellers.

Please visit:

http://www.student-software.co.uk/

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Related Courses

• PGCE Business Education - Secondary Education
• PGCE Design and Technology - Secondary Education
• In-service PGCE Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET)
• PGCE Information Technology Secondary Education
• PGCE Mathematics Secondary Education
• PGCE Geography Education - 1 Year

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