Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) - Level 7
Train to teach in the further education and skills sector
The Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PgCE) is designed for people who want to start or develop a teaching career in further education and training. The course fully aligns with the latest Department for Education (DfE) and Education and Training Foundation (ETF) standards.
A flexible route into teaching
The PGCE offers a supportive and flexible pathway that fits around your existing work commitments.
You’ll develop essential teaching skills, including:
- Planning and delivering effective lessons
- Preparing engaging learning materials
- Creating a positive and inclusive learning environment
- Managing and supporting learners confidently
Teaching placement with expert support
You’ll put theory into practice through a supervised teaching placement, supported by an experienced subject‑specialist mentor.
This practical experience helps you:
- Build confidence in the classroom
- Develop real‑world teaching skills
- Apply learning directly to professional practice
Professional portfolio
Throughout the course, you’ll build a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates:
- Your teaching knowledge and skills
- How you apply professional standards in practice
- Your readiness to teach in the FE and skills sector
Progression to QTLS
Completing the PGCE provides a strong foundation for further professional development, including the opportunity to progress towards Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status through the Education and Training Foundation (ETF).
Broader understanding of education
Alongside your placement, you’ll explore how wider influences shape education, including:
- Political and economic factors
- Social and technological change
- Legal and environmental considerations
You’ll also complete an educational research project, focusing on how these factors impact teaching, learning, assessment and curriculum development within your subject specialism.
Before applying, please check whether you meet the entry requirements under 'Key Information' for this course. Don't hesitate to call us on 01253 504343 if you need assistance.
Tutor Profile - Sarah Addicott
Area of Expertise:
Behaviour Management, Inclusion, Special Educational Needs, Pastoral Care and learning theories within education.
Enjoys teaching at B&FC because:
I can have an influence on a wider range of children and students through teaching those involved in the education of others.
Entry Requirements
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To join the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), you must have secured a suitable teaching placement that enables you to:
- Complete at least 250 hours of teaching and teaching‑related experience
- Work with a subject‑specialist mentor
- Take part in 10 teaching observations across the programme
You’ll also need:
- A degree (2:2 or above) in the subject you want to teach
- GCSE English at grade 4/C or above
- Level 2 Functional Skills in maths
Application process
If you meet the entry requirements, you’ll be invited to a professional discussion with the teaching team. This will explore:
- Your understanding of the further education and skills sector
- How you would apply your subject specialism in a teaching role
You’ll then be asked to:
- Provide evidence of your qualifications
- Apply for an enhanced DBS check with barred list information (required for funding and enrolment)
Once these steps are complete, you’ll be invited to enrol on the programme.
If your application is unsuccessful
If you’re not offered a place, we’ll provide clear guidance and support to help you progress.
- Course code ST1HE0003
- Duration 1 Year
- Day/s of week Thursday
- Time 09:30 - 16:30
Next course dates
| Start date | Location | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
07 Sep 2026
|
Bispham Campus
|
1 Year
|
|
|
07 Sep 2026
|
Bispham Campus
|
18 Months
|
|
|
13 Sep 2027
|
Bispham Campus
|
1 Year
|
|
|
13 Sep 2027
|
Bispham Campus
|
18 Months
|
Where can this subject lead?
Career progression
Successful completion of the PGCE will equip you for a variety of private and public teaching and training posts across the further education and skills sector.
These include teaching in the NHS, police, prison service and offender education, further educations colleges, secondary schools from 14+, training providers and sixth form colleges as well as within adult and community learning and apprenticeship provision.
Next steps at B&FC
There are no further qualifications available at B&FC.
Other study options
Students may want to consider other postgraduate study options including Masters qualifications orPhDs, particularly if they are interested in pursuing academic research in education. Taught and research-based qualifications are offered a numerous higher education institutes both in the North West and further afield.
Employment Opportunities
There are numerous teaching opportunities available in further education at a local, regional and national level and we anticipate that students who complete their PGCE successfully will have plenty of employment options to choose from post study.
Key information
Qualification obtained
Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)Fees and funding
Visit our Tuition Fees page and Financial Support for Degrees page for more information about fees and funding.
Extra costs and equipment
You will need to cover the cost of your enhanced DBS check which is currently £58.10 (this is not reimbursed). You will also be expected to cover the cost of your travel to and from your work placement and provide your own stationery.
Regulation and Accreditation
Accrediting Institute: None
Awarding Body: Lancaster University
Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)
Terms and conditions
Please visit our Student Terms and Conditions page for more information.
What will I learn?
Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers
To study on the Post Graduate Certificate in Education you must have secured an appropriate teaching placement allowing you to gain a minimum of 250 hours teaching and teacher related experience. This placement should also be able to facilitate a subject-specialist mentor and a total of 10 observations throughout the duration of the programme.
Any teaching placement must be confirmed one week before the start of the course at the latest.
For some subject specialisms we may be able to support you in securing a placement internally at Blackpool and The Fylde College. If not, you will be responsible for sourcing your own teaching placement.
Work-based learning is an essential part of the PGCE. It is through undertaking teaching practice that the connections are made between classroom theory and practice. Additional placement opportunities with will be built into curriculum delivery to expand your knowledge around the variety of career opportunities in the further education and skills sector.
How will I learn?
The Post Graduate Certificate in Education is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, presentations, workshops and independent digital learning. The compulsory work placement is also included and facilitates the development of your own learning, teaching and assessment skills through the observation of others and opportunities to team teach before commencing your solo teaching practice.
You will need to attend college to develop your knowledge of approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. However, your placement may be based elsewhere.
Expert tutors
All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.
Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich students’ learning experience, giving them an insight into what working in the industry is really like.
Learning Methods
| Learning Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled | 0 | 0 | 128 |
| Independent | 0 | 0 | 222 |
| Placement | 0 | 0 | 250 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 600 |
How will I be assessed?
The development of your teaching skills will be assessed through a blend of practical assessments and coursework. Your teaching practice will be assessed through 10 formal observations and associated documentation which will demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours developed across the duration of the programme. You will also be assessed using essays, reports and research projects. Exams are not used in the PGCE.
| Assessment Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 0% | 0% | 100% |
| Exam | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Practical | 0% | 0% | 0% |