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.

Validated by Canterbury Christ Church University, PGCE Further Education is a professional course that will qualify you to teach in the lifelong learning sector. This sector offers you a breadth of potential employment routes including further education colleges, sixth-form colleges, adult and community learning, work-based learning and prison education.

The course is endorsed by the Education and Training Foundation, and those obtaining the PGCE FE will be eligible to apply for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status. QTLS now has parity with QTS and is a recognised qualification for teaching in the school sector. The PGCE FE has a long and successful record of high achievement. The course will encourage you to think critically, and you will be supported by a dedicated and professional team throughout the programme. The six modules you will cover are designed to complement and enhance your professional practice. You will undertake a professional placement within your subject area.

Generic teaching skills are also covered, meaning that on completion you could work in several settings - from sixth-form colleges through to prison education.

For information on our Higher Education policies including admissions, fees, and student contracts, please see the links below:

• Admissions Policy
• Complaints Policy 
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
• Fees Policy
• HE Student Contract
• Student Protection Plan

For our full list of policies, governance and fees please see our website Capital City College Group (capitalccg.ac.uk).

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:

• You should have a good honours degree at 2.2 or above and demonstrate competence in communication
• In your application, you will need to indicate sound reasons for wanting to teach in post-compulsory education and have a clear awareness 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 in writing in English academically through a reading/writing task at the interview
• You will also be required to plan and deliver a micro-teach session in your subject specialism
• Level 3 qualification and/or experience in your specialist subject
• GCSEs at grade 4 or above in English Language and Maths or Functional Skills in English and Maths at Level 2, or working towards the achievement of these
• All applicants must have an interview to confirm that the course is suitable for them

You will submit a range of assignments including reflections, essays and practical tasks and lesson observations to earn 20 credits for each one of the six modules in the programme.

You will be observed in your teaching placement on eight occasions at regular intervals during the programme, four times by your CCCU and CONEL personal tutor, and four times by your subject-specific mentor in your placement. The aim of these observations is to work with you to develop your practice.

You will also be required to make regular entries in a personalised reflective journal known as the Progress Log, which will chart targets set and achieved against professional standards.

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.