Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (FE&SS) – Level 6 Yr 1

We're proud that our students go onto careers including:

• Lecturers
• Teacher
• Teaching Assistant
• Assessor/Training for Apprenticeships
• Industry Trainer e.g. Paramedics, Trade Unions
• Private Tutor
• Examiner/Moderator

After you have successfully completed this course, you can choose to:

• Enter into a career in the sector
• Progress onto an Assessor or Verifier award
• Apply and complete Qualified Teacher and Learning Skills Sector (QTLS) https://set.et-foundation.co.uk/your-career/qtls

We will help you learn a wide range of skills that will support you to work in the teaching industry, including how to:

• Undertake group learning activities to develop your knowledge and understanding of teaching in the education and training sector
• Complete assignments linked to the programme's themes
• Plan and deliver teaching and learning (50 hours minimum in each year of study)
• Complete wider reading and research
• Teach competently within your subject specialist area
• Reflect critically on a range of professional issues and practices
• Take responsibility for identifying your own continuing professional development

Year 1

Research Informed Teaching, Learning and Assessment
This module aims to develop your understanding of how people learn in the Lifelong Learning Sector and of the role of assessment in enabling learning and achievement. It introduces theories and principles of learning and assessment and develops your ability to apply research evidence in designing effective learning and assessment strategies and materials. It seeks to develop positive approaches to the management of group and individual behaviours and promotes an inclusive approach to teaching, learning and assessment. It introduces the role of key transferable skills and the ways in which people learn English, Maths and digital skills. The module is assessed by means of a practical micro-teaching assignment and the design of an intervention, strategy, activity or resource, underpinned by an understanding of key principles of teaching, learning and assessment.

Becoming a Subject Specialist Teacher
The module reviews your practice as a trainee teacher. It explores your teaching values, knowledge of your subject specialism, and your knowledge and understanding of how you're learning to teach. You'll have the opportunity to learn how to identify and respond to students' needs, and how to use suitable teaching, learning and assessment strategies to develop inclusive teaching and learning environments. You'll have the chance to evaluate your teaching effectiveness and develop as a reflective practitioner as well as engage in personal and professional development planning, against the appropriate Professional Standards, to recognise and develop relevant subject specialist knowledge, behaviours and skills. This will include further development of English, Maths and digital skills for you and your students.

Year 2

Being a Subject Specialist Teacher
This module builds on previous generic and subject specialist development in two ways. Firstly, it contributes to your development of more advanced strategies and methods for promoting learning and, secondly, it involves a focus on specific specialist areas and the critical analysis subject specialist pedagogy. The module seeks to enhance your ability to reflect critically on, and to evaluate, teaching and learning; by recognising particular curriculum and professional challenges; and by enabling you to develop critical responses to these concerns in sophisticated, innovative and creative ways. Key learning activities of the module are practical teaching experience and the engagement with other specialists through collaborative practice. The module is assessed through a Teaching Portfolio and a Conference Paper dealing with teaching and learning in the specialist subject.

Policy and Professional Issues
The module will develop your understanding of policy and issues relating to professionalism in Lifelong Learning. You'll have the opportunity to explore the impact of policy on professional practice and curriculum developments, drawing on appropriate evidence to evaluate professional practice and discuss possible improvements. You'll also discuss key issues of professionalism in Lifelong Learning, including debates on reflective practice and a discussion of your own educational values and the extent to which these promote social justice.

Each module is worth 30 credits

This course will be delivered through a variety of methods that could include face to face teaching, blended learning, seminars, tutorials, etc.

Trainees are expected to attend both days of the University of Huddersfield Conference that takes place in the second year of the programme in November (exact dates to be confirmed). Full attendance is a module outcome therefore failure to fulfil this requirement will result in credit for the module being withheld. Trainees need to budget for the cost of the travel to and from the Conference along with overnight accommodation in Huddersfield; these costs are in addition to the course fees, they are not included in the course fees.

There are lots of perks to this course, including:

• Opportunities to have contact with a diverse range of HRC colleagues acting as guest speakers. They will deliver talks and Q&As on their specific specialism, for example Student Services, Learning Support etc., which will provide you with an insight into the different sectors your qualification could take you to
• You will have access to our Careers team who can help support you with job applications and interview techniques
• We can support you with finding a teaching placement if we deliver the Subject Specialism
• You will need to have a Subject Specialist Mentor for the duation of the course

How will I be assessed?

A range of assessment methods and types are used throughout the duration of the course and include:

• Written submission
• Peer assessed presentation and micro teach sessions
• Pebblepad portfolio containing a teaching log, wider activities, mentor meetings and a profile
• A final assessment involving a 30 minute oral discussion relating to any aspect of professional practice
• 10 observations of teaching, the majority of which should be to a group of at least 10 learners.

You should normally be in employment as a teacher or trainer at a recognised training or educational establishment. Voluntary teaching/training may be acceptable in some circumstances (please check with your local centre).

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent (normally 2:2 or above) or equivalent related to your specialist area
• Relevant work experience in some specialist subject areas
• Please click here for information regarding English and Maths

In addition you must also:

• Provide confirmation of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Provide one satisfactory reference
• Complete a satisfactory interview
• Identify a work-based mentor who can support you in your subject specialism
• Entry requirement of Level 2, in maths and English
• Placement 250 hours - 150 teaching practice (100 trainees subject area)
• Placement min 2 locations - second placement at least 20 hours
• All candidates must undergo 10 observations, the majority of which should be to a group of at least 10 learners.

If you already hold a teaching qualification at level 4 or above or have substantial knowledge and experience of teaching you may be able to make a claim for accreditation of prior learning.

The course is particularly suitable if you have work experience and/or qualifications in industry, including business and administration, hair and beauty, health and social care, public services or construction, engineering and many other vocational areas.

We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups.

Standard note-taking equipment, mobile phone and a laptop with word our Technology Centres have a limited number of laptops that can be loaned for the duration of the course.

2024/25 fees for this course are currently £3083.00 per annum (total fees for the two-year course are £6165) but may be subject to change. Please enquire as to the current fees when applying. There will also be a £49 fee for a DBS check. Students undertaking this programme may be eligible for a student loan through Student Finance England - https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-student-finance

If you would like further information, contact our Information Team on 01992 411411 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

What makes Teacher Training at HRC special?

• Our part-time courses in Teacher Training will provide you with flexible study hours to fit around your commitments
• You are able to work in the sector whilst completing your qualification
• Students who successfully complete this qualification will be able to take up full teaching roles within the sector
• Our lecturers have years of experience within the sector, so will be able to support you throughout your time with us
• You will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the sector
• You will build a portfolio of work to support you at interviews

What do our students say?

"The staff are so friendly and they have great facilities"

"I recommend this course to anyone thinking about it, I am much more confident now"

''The course was flexible (1 day a week), I was able to balance my full time job as a lecturer whilst completing the course. Observations were required for this course, the feedback from my tutors after each observation were invaluable as it helped me improve my teaching methods. I was also able to apply the feedback from my observations and assessments for CPD sessions. 
Prior to completing the course I struggled with CPD activities. I felt that I lacked the knowledge required to understand some of the activities, now that I have completed the course, I am familiar with learning theories, curriculum planning, lesson planning and Schemes of Work which has helped me with completion of CPD activities with my colleagues.

During the course the lessons were interactive, engaging and the teachers were supportive. All the resources were up to date and I was able to complete self-directed study at home using these resources and my notes from class.

The course has developed time management, research, organisation, team working, communication, problem solving and writing skills. 

In summary, this course has enhanced my academic knowledge, allowing me to gain confidence and prepare myself for the lecturer position.''