Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (part time)

Course code: X34X

Start date: September

Course length: part time: two years (in-service)

Campus: Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus

Teaching in the FE & Skills Sector is a very rewarding career. Over this 2 year part time programme, you will be able to examine and reflect upon your own practice, taking into account your knowledge and experience of learners in the sector.  You will have the opportunity to discuss and demonstrate different aspects of teaching, learning and assessment with tutors and peers to develop and enhance your own skills and knowledge.  

This is a nationally recognised teaching qualification that will enable you to teach in varied learning environments: further education colleges; academies and schools (post 14); adult and community education; work based learning; training providers; prisons and public services.

The course is designed to build upon your current teaching skills; both from a practical and theoretic perspective and gives you the opportunity to complete an optional unit that suits your own needs and preferences

The teaching sessions at the University will feed directly into your learning and expert guest speakers will also share their knowledge and experience.
Your personal tutor will help you with your personal and professional development during the course. You'll also have a mentor in your work place, who will support you and help you to develop your subject specialism

Preparing to teach in FE & Skills plus

This is an introductory module to prepare you to teach in the FE & Skills sector and looks at the roles and responsibilities of a teacher in the sector, including boundaries. You will study how to effectively plan, deliver and assess and strategies to motivate and include learners. You will also look at the importance of reflective practice and will complete a reflective blog. This module includes study skills to prepare you for writing at an academic level.

Developing Practical Teaching Skills

This module builds on the practical elements of teaching from ‘Preparing to teach’ that relate to the delivery of learning. You will examine how to utilise resources effectively including the use of technology in learning. Behaviour Management and how to support learners is also studied as part of the teacher’s ‘toolkit’.

The Theory of Teaching and Learning

This module examines the links between theory and practice in order to provide a more informed overview of teaching and learning. You will examine a range of established learning theories that can provide differing frameworks to support and develop your learners. You will study behaviourism; cognivitism; humanism; social and situated learning and communication theory.

The Teaching Professional

This module examines the concept of the professionalism and the role the teacher has as a professional. It examines behaviour, rights and responsibilities and required understanding of legislation. You will also evaluate and reflect on your own personal development as a teacher and what CPD is required throughout your career. You will examine the importance of research into your own subject pedagogy and how this will enhance your practice. This module requires you to reflect on the classes that you deliver and be able to recognise when changes are needed to your practice. You will also study the role of key stakeholders who impact on your practice eg Ofsted.

Curriculum Development and Design

This module focuses on the importance of change in the curriculum offered in the sector and the modes of delivery required to meet customer needs. You will study the impact of government initiatives on curriculum design and your role in changing the curriculum to meet these demands. It also encourages you to reflect on changes and their implications for your own practice, including improving your curriculum offer.

One optional module from the following:

• Using Technology to Enable Learning (TEL)
• Management in FE & Skills Sector
• Managing Behaviour in FE & Skills sector
• Vocational Higher Education
• Post 14 Teaching in Schools
• Independent Research in a Professional Context

Please note: All modules can be completed as stand alone CPD modules. Please enquire for further details.

Fees for 2013/14

This is a premium course.

UK/EU students

• Full time: £9,000 (each year)

We'll be announcing our part time and international fees for 2013/14 later in the year.

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2012 and August 2013. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

Please contact us for details of the fees for this course.

How you'll learn

You will learn through a range of group activities and tasks and you will also undertake research within a group and on your own. You will also learn through presentations and demonstrations and take part in discussions and debates, and technology enhanced learning.

How you're assessed

You will be assessed through your coursework and presentations. Your teaching will also be observed.

You'll already be employed within the sector, but if you successfully complete the course you could move into a course coordinator role, management or gain other kinds of promotion. You will need to evidence a minimum of 150 hours of teaching over the two years.

"People can underestimate how overwhelming learning new skills can be, but the support has been great". Jo Bishton
"We have some great memories to take with us" Rosanna Rogers, Kelly Wright
"Your passion for teaching is an inspiration" Jade Wilcock
"Everything you cover in the course is exactly what colleges want from applicants" Ross Wood