³ÉÈËBÕ¾

Skip to content

ASP._Page_site_elements_razor_entry_records_course_record_cshtml

What makes Postgraduate Certificate in Education (non-QTS) at the ³ÉÈËBÕ¾ special?

A Postgraduate Certificate in Education is an internationally recognised qualification. This highly flexible course draws on the ³ÉÈËBÕ¾’s wealth of experience in delivering PGCE programmes across Primary and Secondary age phases. It is a fully online course that allows you to gain a PGCE (non QTS) whilst maintaining employment and gaining valuable experience.

The course consists of two compulsory modules and a choice of 3 optional modules giving you the chance to explore educational priorities that are important to you. All of the modules will promote independent thought and critical thinking enabling you to develop an analytical approach to teaching and learning.

Successful completion of the course will give you 60 credits at Master’s Level and could lead to further Master’s study.

This course is perfect for people who are currently working in an educational setting or who aspire to in the future. It would be suitable for individuals completing an alternative route into teaching and gaining qualified teacher status, such as the Assessment Only or SCITT route.

Subject to approval

Overview

Overview

Key features

  • 100% online course delivery offers flexibility for study
  • Enhance your career in education
  • Highly qualified academic team to support your academic progress
  • Choice of 3 optional modules to explore educational issues that are pertinent to you
  • Explore pedagogy, practice and wider issues of education and society
  • Engage with up-to-date research and contemporary issues
Ofsted Outstanding logo

Ofsted has rated us as "Outstanding" in training Primary and Secondary Teachers 2023.

The ³ÉÈËBÕ¾’s education of future primary and secondary teachers has been given the highest possible grade with inspectors stating that, along with its partners, the University creates “a learning community that places children at the heart of everyone’s endeavours”.  

Read our full news story
Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

First degree or equivalent qualification (2:2 or above)

IELTS level 6.5

It is important to note that students who may wish to pursue the QTS accreditation in the future will also require English and Maths at a minimum of GCSE level 4 or equivalent. In addition, primary teachers require Science GCSE at level 4.

Additional information

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk for advice.

Course content

Course content

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative. 

Mandatory modules

Learning in the 21st Century (30 credits)

This module will focus on current policy, innovations and contemporary practice with a focus on how pupils learn.

Evidence-based practice (15 credits)

This module will focus on the latest research and evidence for excellence in teaching.

Optional modules

You can choose one of these three modules:

Inclusive Practice (15 credits)

This module explores the range of neuro-diverse learners you may encounter as a teacher and the best ways to support their learning.

Action Research project (15 credits)

This module helps you to focus on an area of your practice where you would like to develop some expertise, based on evidence informed principles.

Curriculum Design (15 credits)

This module explores how to construct a curriculum and the features it requires to provide progression and challenge for your learners.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You are taught through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous online teaching. The asynchronous learning will involve engaging with pre-prepared presentations and materials at a time that is convenient to you. The synchronous learning is all online and will be scheduled on fixed days, enabling you to engage with this course around other employment. The synchronous learning allows you to be a part of the learning community at the university.

The synchronous teaching will all take place during term time. The University places emphasis on enabling students to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support from Student Services and Library Services, and the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on your progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will help you to flourish and be successful.

Location of teaching

Course is delivered fully online.

³ÉÈËBÕ¾ time

The courses are front-loaded, so you would receive synchronous online teaching for 2 hours per week, followed by 6 hours of directed study using the online course materials. As you progress through the course, the teaching reduces to give you time to prepare for your assessments.

Independent self study

In addition to the contact time, you are expected to undertake around 16 hours of personal self-study per week. Typically, this will involve completing online activities, reading journal articles and books, working on projects, undertaking online research in the library, preparing assignments and presentations.

Following the initial teaching input, there will be 40 hours (spread over 4 weeks) of independent study time to complete your assessments.

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, including The Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources.

Duration

One year part time

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. Teaching is informed by research and consultancy, and all of the lecturers who teach on the course have a Higher Education teaching qualification and hold Qualified Teacher Status. The majority of lecturers have their Masters’ qualification or higher and some are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. You can learn more about the staff by visiting our ‘Meet the Experts’ pages.

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or ‘formative’ assignments.

Each module has one or more formal or ‘summative’ assessments which are graded and count towards the overall module grade. Assessment methods include a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports and presentations, dependent on the optional module you choose. There are no examinations.

The precise assessment requirements for an individual student in an academic year will vary according to the mandatory and optional modules taken, but a typical formal summative assessment pattern for each year of the course is one 30 credit assignment in semester one, and two 15 credit modules in semester two.

You will receive formative feedback on your assignments which you will use to inform your summative assessments. Formative feedback will be provided within 20 working days of hand-in.

Feedback is intended to support learning and you are encouraged to discuss it with personal academic tutors and module tutors as appropriate.

Careers

Careers

This course is designed to support your career progression within an educational setting.

Costs

Fees and funding

Part-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard tuition fee for part-time UK and EU students enrolling on this course in the academic year 2024/25 will be £3,000.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Course-related costs not included in the fees

Every course has day-to-day costs for essential books, stationery, printing and photocopying.

You will need access to a computer with a webcam and microphone and a reliable internet connection to engage in this course.

How to apply