Two women engaged in collaborative study, sitting at a table with papers and pens, demonstrating focus and teamwork.

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.

*Subject to validation. For more information, please visit our dedicated validation page. 

  • Course code ST1HE0003
  • Duration 1 Year
  • Day/s of week Thursday
  • Time 09:00 - 17:00

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
08 Sep 2025
University Centre
1 Year
08 Sep 2025
University Centre
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.

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) - Level 7*

Extra costs and equipment

You will need to cover the cost of your enhanced DBS check which is currently £46 (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.

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.
 

  • Modules at level 6

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Professional Practice ST6MD0003 40 No
    Pedagogical Theory ST6MD0004 20 No

  • Modules at level 7

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Dissertation ST7MD0001 40 No
    The Impact of Educational Discourse in the Further Education Sector ST7MD0002 20 No

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?

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. 
 

How will I be assessed?

Assessment Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Coursework 0% 0% 100%
Exam 0% 0% 0%
Practical 0% 0% 0%