Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) - Level 7
Summary
The Post Graduate Certificate in Education is for those individuals who aspire to teach and make a difference in the further education and skills sector. This qualification fully aligns with the latest standards set by the Department for Education and the Education and Training Foundation (ETF).
The PGCE offers a flexible approach to training to teach whilst providing a structured and supportive journey towards your qualification. You will develop the essential skills needed to create a positive and productive learning environment in which you will be given the opportunity to plan, resource and deliver curriculum content in placement, with the support of a subject specialist mentor. This will enable you to collate a portfolio evidencing your application of the expected knowledge skills and behaviours needed in this pivotal role and provide you with the ideal starting point to progress onto the completion of the nationally recognised Qualified Teaching, Learning and Skills status (QTLS) through additional professional formation with the ETF.
The Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), is a qualification that will allow you to teach those individuals in the further education and training environment. This qualification is not suitable for teaching in primary or secondary schools.
- Course code ST1HE0003
- Duration 1 Year
- Day/s of week Thursday
- Time 09:00 - 17:00
Next course dates
| Start date | Location | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
07 Sep 2026
|
Bispham Campus
|
1 Year
|
|
|
07 Sep 2026
|
Bispham Campus
|
18 Months
|
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.
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
Entry Requirements
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 together with the following:
A degree at 2:2 or above in the subject specialism you would like to teach
GCSE English 4/C or above and level 2 functional skills qualification in maths.
If you successfully meet the criteria, you will be formally invited to a professional discussion with the teaching team based around your knowledge of the further education and skills sector and the application of your subject specialism. Following the completion of these, you will then be asked to provide evidence of the qualifications listed above and apply for your enhanced DBS check with barred list information, which is required as part of your funding agreement and as a condition of your enrolment. Once this is in place, you will be invited to enrol onto the programme.
Should you be unsuccessful in your application, guidance will be provided to support you further.
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 staff involved in the delivery of higher education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver. Where appropriate, they also possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice..
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% |