Post Graduate/ Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with QTS

Post Graduate/ Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with QTS

Guidance to trainees

Your chosen route into teaching has the advantage of an academic qualification where your understanding of theory is closely integrated with your practical work in the classroom. The PGCE with QTS is one of the most well recognised qualifications for teachers training to teach in England. However, the term PGCE can mean different levels and different credit weightings.

At BGU, theacademicelement of the PGCE consists of two 30 credits modules (60 credits total). The content studied as part of the two 30 credit modulesis directly relevant to, and synthesised with, practical teaching which supports you in achieving QTS. In addition, there may also an optional additional 30 credit module offered after completion of the programme, allowing you to develop your specialist subject/area of interest leadership expertise further, and gain an additional 30 credits. If you complete all three modules you will have 180 credits towards a Masters’ Degree in Education, which means you are half way to a full Masters’ Degree.

What is a PGCE?

PGCE stands for ‘Post Graduate Certificate in Education’. As a graduate, to study and succeed at post graduate level you need to be studying and producing work at a level expected of a Masters level student. This is referred to as level 7.

What is a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education? (pGCE or sometimes written ProfGCE)

To obtain a pGCE, the level of study, including the breadth of reading, and depth of analysis required of written assignments, is that which is expected of a graduate at level 6. This is the same level as the final year of an undergraduate degree.

At BGU we are able to give you the choice right from the start of your programme. You may elect to study at either level 6 or level 7. The modules you undertake will be the same in terms of the content taught. These modules are designed to ensure understanding ofthe principles behind good teaching and learning, and you will receive the same support with your writing skills. In order to achieve the Post Graduate Certificate, you need to pass both of the 30 credit modules at level 7.

How do I decide?

Below are some of the questions which might help you to decide:

1. Is the level 7 qualification important to you? Eg are you intending to undertake a Masters’degree within the first five years of teaching? Do you have a Masters’ degree already?
2. Do you have a 2:1 or a first, which can be indicators of probable success at level 7? Or do you have a good 2:2, with strong grades in your final year, particularly in a research based project or dissertation and are keen to develop your academic writing?
3. Is your first degree in a social science subject or any subject which required significant academic writing?
4. Have you undertaken study recently, or has there been a gap since you last undertook study at this level or are you confident that you can work at this level with a bit of reminding about the expectations?

Will this matter to future employers?

Through liaison with partner schools, we understand that the nuance of whether an applicant for a first teaching post exits with a PGCE or ProfGCE is not generally an important determiner for head teachers seeking to employ good teachers. There are some exceptions, however, and some School Direct trainees may be particularly encouraged to attempt level 7 qualification.

What happens if I fail a level 7 module?

You normally have just one right of resit for any assignment at any level of study. You need to pass on resit, or the award will be failed. You might, therefore, opt at that point to resubmit and ask for your work to be assessed at level 6. Assuming all aspects of the programme are passed, you will exit with the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education.

When do I have to decide?

Within the early stages of your programme, you will have seminars, including introductions to level 7 work. You will have an opportunity to discuss your options and make a decision early in the course.

What might help you make an informed choice?

Our website has examples of Level 6 and Level 7 assignments, with marking tutor feedback about strengths and areas for development. Please do take the time to read them and think about where your own academic writing would ‘fit’, remembering that there will be further sessions early in the course to support you.

Additional research articles and reading to support understanding of the approaches to teaching and learning in primary schools

The links below are for research articles.Please do read some/all of the articles because they demonstrate the integral part that academic research plays in informing and developing good practice and they demonstrate high level academic writing.

Every Child Counts mathematical research about an intervention programme

for Pleasure pdf based on research with schools and also with additional links to other useful sources

Rethinking Teaching Games for Understanding (PE)

Active Education: Growing Evidence on Physical Activity and Academic Performance

Developing young children’s creativity: whatcan we learn from research?