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

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.

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.

This full time one-year programme is taught 2 days per week for which attendance is required. Attendance at a one-day conference at the University of Huddersfield is a requirement. 250 Hours of teaching practice, observations and teaching related activities must be completed for the course requirements.

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 at the university conference.

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.