Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (Lifelong Learning) - In-Service

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

You should normally be in employment as a teacher or trainer at a recognised training or educational establishment for a minimum of 250 hours (at least 125 hours in any one year). Voluntary teaching/training may be acceptable in some circumstances.

Entry requirements for this course are:

- UK first degree (normally 2:2 or above) or equivalent related to your specialist area if studying the Postgraduate or Professional Graduate Certificate routes.

- Level 2 in English and Maths

In addition, you must also:

- Provide confirmation of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

- Provide one satisfactory reference

- Complete a satisfactory interview

- Identify a subject specialist 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.

The programme uses a dynamic blend of learning and teaching approaches designed to place you at the centre of the learning process. Across all modules, interactive theory sessions introduce and explore core concepts and underpinning knowledge, while collaborative seminars enable you to question, debate and apply ideas in practice.

Learning takes place through discussion, co-creation, analysis of real teaching scenarios, peer collaboration and reflective activities that mirror authentic professional practice. This approach encourages you to think critically, share perspectives, and develop confidence in applying theory to real classroom contexts.

Teaching methods are designed to motivate and engage, supporting you to become an independent, reflective practitioner who actively shapes their own professional development both within and beyond the classroom.

This part-time two-year programme is taught one evening per week for which attendance is required.

Attendance at a one-day conference at the University of Huddersfield is a requirement in the second year.

250 Hours of teaching practice, observations and teaching related activities must be completed for the course requirements.

250 hours of relevant work experience placement based on subject specialisms are a requirement of the programme. The teaching practice hours will be undertaken within your workplace, supported by your identified subject specialist mentor. You will be encouraged to attend training events, team meetings and other relevant curricular activities to support your role whilst in placement.

This course is designed to support aspiring and developing educators to build the knowledge, confidence and professional expertise needed to teach within the Lifelong Learning sector. Alongside developing a strong understanding of teaching and learning, you will also be supported to recognise and plan your own continuing professional development, ensuring you grow as a reflective, future-focused practitioner. Throughout the programme, you will develop the practical skills and professional confidence needed to play an active role in teaching, learning and curriculum development within Further Education and Skills settings. You will focus on your own subject specialist area while also exploring wider approaches to teaching diverse post-16 learners. A significant proportion of your learning takes place in your own teaching environment, enabling you to apply theory directly to practice and see the impact of your development in real time. As part of the course, you will complete a subject specialist module, providing the opportunity to deepen your expertise, engage with current research, and collaborate with trainees from a wide range of vocational and academic disciplines. Exact attendance dates will be confirmed during your first year of study. You will experience a rich variety of learning approaches, including collaborative seminars, professional dialogue, peer learning, practical workshops and applied teaching activities designed to mirror real professional practice. Each trainee is supported by a personal tutor throughout the course, ensuring guidance, challenge and encouragement at every stage of your journey. Assessment methods are varied and practical, reflecting the real work of teachers. These include creating learning resources, participating in professional seminars, reflective activities and presentations that build both confidence and professional competence. Overall, the course offers a supportive and inspiring route into teaching, equipping you with the skills, knowledge and professional network needed to thrive in the Further Education and Skills sector.

Following course completion, you can continue onto an MA in 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 Further Education and Skills 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.