Undergraduate

Professional Graduate Certificate in Education

On this page

• Description
• How to register
• Career relevance
• Learning outcomes
• Credit for previous study elsewhere
• On completion

Description

The Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is the most popular route into a career in teaching at secondary level. In England, it leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) conferred by the GTCE; in Wales it leads to QTS conferred by the GTCW; and in Northern Ireland to ‘Eligibility to Teach’ conferred by the Department of Education (NI). The Open University offers a modular PGCE programme that allows flexible patterns of study over a maximum of two years which will suit those whose circumstances prevent them from taking the traditional full-time course. Distance learning study of the theory of teaching and learning is integrated with its practical application during sustained periods of teaching in a partner school where you live.

We offer six PGCE subjects at secondary level: design and technology, geography, mathematics, modern foreign languages (French, German and Spanish), music and science (biology, chemistry and physics).

This is a programme of initial teacher education (ITE) that complies with relevant nation-state requirements in the UK and was graded ‘outstanding’ in recent inspections in England and Northern Ireland.

The full training programme is a progression through three levels, each supported by web-based study modules and audio-visual materials. School experience is integrated with the study materials. The three levels are:

• familiarisation, including a five-week secondary school placement
• consolidation, including seven weeks in a different partner secondary school and one in a linked primary school
• autonomy, including ten weeks in your original partner school.

You may be able to claim exemption from either Level 1 or both Level 1 and Level 2 of the PGCE, depending on your previous experience gained through employment in educational establishments. Full guidance on claiming exemption can be found in the prospectus.

The study materials provide a supportive context for training to teach in today’s schools across the secondary age range and introduce you to the ideas and issues that underpin effective teaching and learning. In addition, online forums enable you to participate in discussions about your subject and teaching, to exchange resources for classroom teaching, and to debate contemporary education issues.

If you are in Scotland, you can study for the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (E47) but this is available only for secondary mathematics.

Entry requirements

The requirements may change as a result of government decisions. At present you must:

• Be able to attend school placements in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
• Be resident in the appropriate nation.
• Have a degree from a UK university or an equivalent qualification that is clearly and substantially relevant to one of the six secondary PGCE subjects. This means that at least half and preferably two-thirds of your degree (at least 180 credits) should comprise studies relevant to the subject you intend to teach.
• Have a GCSE grade A–C, or the equivalent, in English language and in mathematics.
• Show evidence in your application and at interview that you can communicate clearly and grammatically in written and spoken standard English.
• Demonstrate at interview specific abilities related to the subject.
• If you are applying for a place in modern foreign languages, you will need to be able to offer two languages, one of which must be French.

How to register

There are six start dates each year: January, March, May, July, September and November. Successful candidates will be allocated to the first available start date. You can apply at any time, but you should bear in mind that places are subject to quotas for each academic year, and that the application process takes around three to four months, so you are advised to apply early.

You need to complete and return the application form in the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Prospectus, which also contains full information about the course and the application and selection process.

Fees and bursaries

The fee for 2011-2012 is £3375; this applies to the January, March, May and July 2012 start dates. From September 2012, the fee will increase in England, but you will be able to apply for a student loan.

Training bursaries are also currently available in all subjects except design and technology, geography and music. From September 2012, bursaries of varying amounts will be available in all subjects but their allocation will depend on your degree class.

More information can be obtained from the ITE Support Centre. Phone +44 (0)1908 652564 or email us.

Career relevance and employability

The Professional Graduate Certificate in Education is a programme of initial teacher education (ITE) that complies with relevant nation-state requirements. It leads directly to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) conferred by the GTCE in England; QTS conferred by the GTCW in Wales; and ‘Eligibility to Teach’ conferred by the Department of Education (NI) in Northern Ireland.

This PGCE course equips you with the skills, knowledge and understanding to become an effective secondary school teacher. It fosters a reflective approach to classroom teaching – bringing together learning from academic study with the practice learning that takes place during school placements; enabling you to establish links and relationships between them; and encouraging you to reflect on how they shape your learning and professional development.

If you live in England, and are considering whether a career in teaching is for you, the Training and Development Agency’s School Experience Programme (SEP) offers 1 to 10 days’ classroom experience in a secondary school. For details, please check the TDA’s website.

If you’re a student in higher education in Wales and would like guidance on whether secondary school teaching suits you before applying for a PGCE, we offer a taster course called Prepare to Teach. For details contact Clare Schroder on +44(0) 29 2047 1019 or send her an email.

There’s more information about how OU study can improve your employability in the OU’s Employability Statement from our Careers Advisory Service. You can also read or download our publication OU study and your career and look at our subject pages to find out about career opportunities.

Credit for previous study elsewhere

If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit that you can count towards this Open University qualification. Further details will be available when registration opens for this qualification.

On completion

On successful completion you will be awarded a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education in your chosen subject, entitling you to use the letters PGCE (Open) after your name. You will have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.

A 60-credit masters module, Reflecting on professional learning in education (EE880), has been developed in order to convert this professional-level qualification into a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (C85). Credit from successful completion of EE880 can be counted towards our Masters degree in Education (F01).

Fees 2012

See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.

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