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Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) (Lifelong Learning) - Pre-Service

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Subject

Teacher Training

Level

Level 7

Study Mode

Part-Time

Duration

2 years

Start Date

September 2025

The course

If you are looking to progress into a career teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector, including sixth form and further education colleges, adult education and a wide range of other training and educational settings, then this programme is ideal for you.

We welcome applicants with industrial skills and/or relevant academic qualifications and a passion for teaching and training others.

On this course you will have the opportunity to develop the skills to play a full part in teaching and curriculum development. While you study you will focus on your particular subject specialist area, alongside general teaching in the lifelong learning sector.

A significant amount of your learning takes place whilst on placement. You will have the opportunity to benefit from being able to observe experienced teachers, gain practical hands-on experience and to be mentored to help you develop into a successful and effective teacher.

Course Information

  • To provide initial teacher education for the Lifelong Learning sector, which develops excellent practical skills underpinned by an understanding of the theoretical basis for practice.
  • To challenge and support you become an autonomous, self-regulating professional with a comprehensive, critical understanding of developments in the sector.
  • To provide you with the opportunity to meet relevant professional standards, for example the standards for teachers in the Lifelong Learning sector and the UK Professional Standards Framework for Higher Education.
  • To develop your knowledge and understanding as required to plan, implement, assess and evaluate learning in own specialist area.
  • To develop your practical skills in supporting and enabling learning, plus interpersonal skills associated with your intended or actual work role.
  • To take an inclusive approache to teaching and learning, addressing issues of social justice.
  • To show commitment to, and critical understanding of, professional values, knowledge and skills.

Year 1

  • Research Informed Teaching, Learning and Assessment
  • Becoming a Subject Specialist Teacher

Year 2

  • Being a Subject Specialist Teacher
  • Policy and Professional Issues

The course is particularly suitable if you have work experience and/or qualifications in industry, including business and administration, hair and beauty, health and social care, public services or construction, engineering and many other vocational areas.

You will be required to have a placement at a recognised training or educational establishment for a minimum of 250 hours (at least 125 hours in any one year). Bishop Burton College will be your placement provider but this is subject to your subject specialism as Bishop Burton College may not be able to accommodate you. As pre service trainees you will be a voluntary teacher/trainer for the course duration.

Entry requirements for this course are normally:

Qualifications at Level 3 or above, for example HNC, CGLI Advanced, NVQ level 3/4 or other recognised professional qualification

Ability to demonstrate appropriate work experience in the area you wish to teach

In addition, you must also:

Provide confirmation of an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

Provide one satisfactory reference

Complete a satisfactory interview

Identify a work-based mentor who can support you in your subject specialism

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent will be considered acceptable.

This programme is delivered with a variety of learning and teaching approaches.

For all modules, theory lectures are delivered that aim to deliver the core content and provide the underpinning knowledge. To complement the theory lectures, students have group seminars that are used to reinforce concepts delivered theoretically.

The teaching methods focus on facilitating a student-centred approach to enhance the independent learning that takes place outside of the classroom.

The programme is taught one evening per week and requires 50 placement hours to be satisfactorily completed.

Attendance at a two-day conference at the University of Huddersfield is required in the second year of the programme.

Relevant work experience placement based on subject specialisms are a requirement of the programme. Trainees are encouraged to attend training events, team meetings and other relevant curricular activities to support their role whilst in placement. The teaching placement will be supported by Bishop Burton College dependent on subject area. Please note that placements can be evenings, weekends and daytime to reflect the sector.
The programme will incorporate a variety of assessment methods across each academic year. The mix of assessments will seek to challenge and evaluate your knowledge, understanding and skills. Assessments for this programme may include written assignments, portfolios, practical assessments (observation of teaching) and a research project to present to conference in year two.
  • A suitable electronic device, e.g. a laptop or tablet, with internet connectivity is required for accessing online learning and completing assignments.
  • The location of your placement may require you to travel so please be aware of any associated travel costs.
  • On successful completion of the programme, students have the opportunity to graduate at a ceremony wearing formal dress. The hire of the formal dress is an additional cost.
  • If you decide to apply for QTLS status this will be an additional cost. You can find out more on the Society for Education and Training website.
During the PGCE programme you will complete 60 credits at masters level, which creates an opportunity to continue your masters level study on a full MA Education course at a Higher Education Institution. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be eligible to proceed to apply for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status, following a process of professional formation through the Society for Education and Training. Your QTLS is full professional status for teachers in the Lifelong Learning sector.
Upon successful completion of this programme you could gain employment in post-16 education in e.g. Further Education institutions, some institutions offering Higher Education provision, the prison service and voluntary sector community organisations.

Careers this course could lead into

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