Post Compulsory Education and Training

Entry requirements

Applicants to the Professional Certificate in Education (PCET) should have:

• A qualification at Level 3, or above in the subject they intend to teach

Applicants to the PGCE (PCET) should have:

• A degree
• A qualification at Level 3, or above in the subject they intend to teach

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our PGCE and PCE PCET programmes are well recognised and valued within the sector and provide you with a nationally recognised, professional teaching experience which will qualify you to explore a range of teaching careers in Further and Higher Education, youth work provision, adult and community education, 14-19 sector, work-based education, training in HM Forces, prison education, industry and commercial training departments.

There are two courses available depending on your existing qualifications which are aligned with the Professional Teaching Standards:

• Professional Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) PCET
• Professional Certificate of Education (PCE) PCET​

The PGCE PCET is for graduates who want to teach their degree subject or any subject they are qualified in to Level 3 or above. They should also be teaching or actively seeking teaching in the post-compulsory sector of education and training.

The PCE PCET is for students who have a Level 3 qualification and wish to further their experience in their subject area by teaching in the PCET or lifelong learning and skills sector.

Graduate and non-graduate entrants will follow the same learning pattern but, in compliance with the requirements of QAA, be assessed at the differentiated levels for undergraduate study in Year 2.

Both in-service qualifications require a minimum of 30 hours of contact teaching in the first year and 100 hours in the second year (to be carried out between September and May). Students are responsible for arranging their own teaching hours and finding a suitable subject mentor to support their professional teaching practice.

Information for international students

Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.5 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

Fees and funding

As a postgraduate, research or part-time student, the tuition fees you are charged will depend on the course you choose to study. Full information is available on our website.