Further Education and Skills PGCE

Preparing for your teaching career

You will graduate from this course equipped with the skills and knowledge to become a confident and competent teacher in the further education sector.

You will consider the learning and teaching strategies that are relevant to your specialist subject and develop leadership and management skills.

If you already hold a degree, it is anticipated that you will graduate with a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), and there may also be an opportunity to gain masters-level credits. Applicants without a first degree will graduate with a Certificate in Education.

As well as gaining a PGCE, for those interested teaching in a secondary or sixth form setting can also apply for Qualified Teaching and Learning Skill status (QTLS) through the Society for Education and Training once you have successfully completed the course and are in full-time employment.

QTLS is recognised in law as having parity with QTS for teaching in schools as a qualified teacher.

Placements

Your placement is designed to give you supported experience and confidence in your teaching ability so you are ready to embark on your career.

We have partnerships with varied further education settings to ensure you graduate with a well-rounded experience. You may experience time in more than one location during your course.

Your placement will ensure you gain experience in:

• planning and delivering effective learning programmes for diverse groups or individuals
• applying theoretical understanding of effective practice in teaching, learning and assessment drawing on your own research and other evidence

• understanding the teaching and professional role and your responsibilities
• building positive and collaborative relationships with colleagues and learners.

We work hard to ensure that your placement will provide you with learning opportunities and valuable experience within the setting and subject area you are qualifying to teach.

Placement experience will enable you to demonstrate and grow your knowledge. You'll also make valuable contacts in college and sixth form settings which will help when you are looking for your first teaching role.

Graduate destinations

Our Further Education and Skills PGCE graduates benefit from excellent employment rates and are highly sought after by our partner colleges. They are known for their creative and innovative approaches to teaching.

Most graduates gain their first teaching post in a further education setting soon after they qualify.

Further study

If you graduate with the PGCE you'll be awarded 60 masters-level credits which can be used towards our Education MA which further integrates academic study with work-based learning and research.

Postgraduate research degrees are an opportunity to undertake a substantial piece of original research, supported by expert supervisors.

Find out about our research subjects.

Supporting your employability

Outside of your course, our Careers Service is here to support you as you discover (and re-discover) your strengths and what matters to you. We are here for you throughout your university journey as you work towards a fulfilling and rewarding career.

Connect with our careers team

• Find part-time work that you can combine with your studies.
• Find, or be, a mentor or get involved with our peer-to-peer support scheme.
• Develop your business ideas through our entrepreneurial support network.
• Get professional advice and support with career planning, CV writing and interview top tips.
• Meet potential employers at our careers fairs.
• Find rewarding volunteering opportunities to help you discover more about what makes you tick, and build your CV.

Whatever your career needs, we are here to help. And that's not just while you are a student, our support carries on after you've graduated.

Find out more about our Careers Service...