STUDY

Overview

The Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and Certificate in Education (Cert Ed) are professional teacher training qualifications for people teaching in further education colleges, sixth form colleges, schools, adult education, prison education, higher education, and a wide range of other education and training settings.

The courses are available to graduates and to non-graduates with appropriate vocational qualifications and can be studied pre-service (one year full-time) or in-service (two years part-time).

The pre-service course, one year full time, is offered by University of Suffolk at Suffolk New College and will benefit those who wish to obtain a teaching qualification before seeking employment. Attendance on the pre service course is required two days a week in college plus further days allocated for placement. Please note, placements for applicants in the pre-service route will be supported by the university and any offer of a place will be conditional upon successful completion of an interview at the placement site.

The in-service course, two year part-time, is offered at University of Suffolk at Suffolk New College and will interest teachers and trainers who are already in full or part-time employment. Attendance on the in-service course is one morning (at Suffolk New College) per week. Please contact the Course Leader to confirm exact days and times.

The course is designed to develop a range of skills and knowledge required of a professional teacher in a post-16 environment. The course places a significant emphasis on participants developing the appropriate skills and knowledge they require to meet the needs of the learner. The fundamental principles of practice are underpinned by reference to theoretical perspectives, thus encouraging participants to effectively link theory to practice. Successful completion of the course is determined by continuous assessment.

The course is designed to encourage students to engage in activities which are directly related to their own teaching context. Students are assessed through a mixture of essays, reports, assignments and practical tasks as appropriate for the learning outcomes of each individual module. It is a requirement that all students pass all elements of the course including the practical teaching modules. Participants will be observed teaching in their normal teaching context and formally assessed a number of times throughout the programme.