PGCE Further Education - Level 7 (Canterbury Christ Church University)

This is a two-year part-time PGCE FE programme.

This course is accredited by Canterbury Christ Church University.

Our PGCE Further Education course prepares you for a career in the lifelong learning sector, equipping you with the appropriate skills and knowledge, as well as making you eligible to apply for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills status (QTLS). 

Enter an exciting and rewarding profession that enables you to positively impact on the life of all learners in the further education and skills sector. Train to be a teacher in the 14+ age-range on the PGCE which is offered in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) on a course where successful completion will enable you to gain 120 credits, 60 of which are at level 7, equivalent to master's credits. 

You will be taught by the subject experts. Once qualified, you could find work in many settings - from further education and sixth form colleges to adult and community learning; work-based learning or prison education. In fact, anywhere where teaching and training happens after school education.  

The course is designed for those seeking employment in the post-compulsory sector. The course is endorsed by the Education and Training Foundation, and those obtaining the PGCE Further Education will be eligible to apply for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status through membership of The Society for Education and Training

Our evidenced-based and research-informed approach to Initial Teacher Education (ITE) will equip you with the knowledge, understanding, and skills you need to improve the lives of young people and adults. With an emphasis on social justice and inclusion, we will support and challenge you to fulfil your full potential as an education professional.    

Our partnership means you will benefit from the opportunity to learn in a diverse range of placements settings from highly experienced and knowledgeable education professionals, ensuring the development of your specialist subject and pedagogical knowledge. 

You will benefit from the opportunity to learn in a diverse range of placement settings from highly experienced and knowledgeable education professionals, ensuring the development of your specialist subject and pedagogical knowledge.

Once qualified, you could find work in many settings - from further education and sixth form colleges to adult and community learning; work-based learning or prison education. In fact, anywhere teaching and training happens after school education.

Modules (Year 1):

1. Investigating Subject Pedagogy (semester 1 and 2)
2. Professional Practice 1: The Collaborating and Developing Teacher (semester 1 and 2)

Modules (Year 2):

3. Undertaking Professional Enquiry (semester 1 and 2)
4. Professional Practice 2: The Independent Teacher (semester 1 and 2)

Modules 1 and 2 run concurrently over the first year, with module 1 focusing on theories of contemporary learning to ensure effective learning practices, focusing specifically on your subject specialism.

Module 2 is the first of the professional practice modules, which will centre around your placement activities and completing a series of observations of your teaching each with a different focus.

Modules 3 and 4 run concurrently over the second year, with module 3 focusing on an Action Research Project including emphasis on working with others developing resources; expertise; organisational and wider support. The second professional practice module 4 consists of a further series of observations dealing with more developed focuses.

Placement:

Following a successful interview, you will secure a placement at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London in your subject specialist area. This will follow an informal interview with the appropriate Head of School in your subject area as well as the Course Coordinator. You will also be supported by two mentors throughout the duration of the course. One of whom will be a subject specialist. You will be expected to commit to attending placement as well as attendance at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London for the taught sessions.

You will be required to record a minimum of 150 hours of teaching over your course and a total of 250 hours within your placement setting (20 hours will be within a second placement setting where you will not be teaching but observing lessons and attending CPD). 100 of your teaching hours must be in your subject specialism. You will also be required to successfully complete 10 formal observations over the time of your course.

You will need:

• A good honours degree (2:2 and above) in your chosen subject
• English and maths at GCSE (Grade C or Grade 4 above)
• Successful completion of the Occupational Health Clearance and a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

You should demonstrate competence regarding communication. In your application and at the interview you will need to indicate sound reasons for wanting to teach in post-compulsory education and have a clear awareness and experience of the sector. Academic and/or industrial and commercial experience to demonstrate involvement with young people or adults in the community would be advantageous.

You will need to demonstrate your ability to write in English academically through a reading/writing task at the interview. 

For more information on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) requirements for this course, go to  https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/courses/postgraduate/pgce-further-education

For more information on English language requirements for this course, go to  https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/courses/postgraduate/pgce-further-education

We're interested in your potential as a teacher and so each application is considered on a case-by-case basis. We are looking for applicants who demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to becoming an outstanding teacher. Your application will need to be supported by one professional reference. (References from personal email accounts cannot be accepted).

You will be assessed in two main ways: via academic assessments and the assessment of your teaching practice during the Professional Practice module (modules 2 and 4).   

You will submit assignments for each academic module, gaining Level 7 credits as you progress through the course. A range of assessment methods will be used to help you to evidence your knowledge, understanding and skills. 

Your learning and development will be facilitated by a range of university-based and college-based colleagues. As well as having extensive experiences in the classroom as qualified teachers, our university-based lecturers are all specialists in their field of study. Our college-based colleagues are also expert education professionals with a strong track record of providing trainees with highly effective mentoring.  

Through each level of study, you will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, college placements and self-study. All of these are supported through Blackboard, the University's virtual learning environment.  

The use of a range of learning and teaching strategies is central to the design and planning of this course. This is because the learning you experience in the University and in college placement needs to model explicitly and implicitly key aspects of subject pedagogy. Therefore, there is an emphasis on: 

• Individual and collaborative learning
• Critical debate and discussion
• Micro-teaching; multi-sensory learning
• Active learning
• Use of inclusive and diverse resources and content  
• Use of information and communication technologies
• Technology-enhanced learning and blended learning
• Independent learning and personal reflection
• Critical reviews
• Connections between research, theory and practical application.

Adults - Higher Education

You must pay fees to study a Higher Education (HE) course. If you have not studied one previously, you may be eligible to apply for an HE loan. Other financial support such as maintenance loans and disability support are also available.

Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.

Some courses will have other associated costs, such as for specialist materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.

Tuition Fees: £4,395 per year. 

For further fee information go to  https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/courses/postgraduate/pgce-further-education

The successful completion of this course equips you for employment as a teacher in the further education sector and to then undertake professional formation leading to QTLS. From there, your teaching career can take you on a very rewarding and exciting professional journey involving learning and teaching, leadership and management, research and advisory roles. There is also potential for you to engage in further study in the form of a master’s and doctorate.