PGCE PCET (Teacher Training)

Applications are now CLOSED for September 2026. Applications open October 2026 for September 2027. 


Please complete an online application via The University of Staffordshire. Click here for the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PCET) application. 


This qualification is awarded by The University of Staffordshire. 

 

 
This course is available part-time over 2 years. For September 2027 entrants, the programme includes attending weekly college lectures and tutorials on Wednesday evening 4-8pm, along with teaching practice over 2 days per week. 


PGCE Post 16 (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) 

The course is offered as a part-time programme and intended for those interested in working in the Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) sector. 

The aim of the course is to equipyou with the skills and attributes necessary to deliver high-quality teaching or training to students.
The course is designed primarily for those who teach post-16 learners and is designed around the Learning and Skills Teacher standards for teaching in post compulsory education. 
This practical work-based course provides opportunities to develop professional understanding and knowledge through academic study, practice and critical reflection on your experiences. Trainees must be self-motivated and self-organised and be prepared to fully engage in lectures, tutorials and teaching practice. 
Assessment is a blend of critically evaluated professional practice informed by formal academic tasks. This focus on creativity and innovation in the workplace supported by research and reflection is aimed at developing trainees’ careers as well as equipping them with the skills and attributes to develop high-quality teaching.

On successful completion of study, you will achieve the following award: PGCE Post-Compulsory Education and Training.

 
Course content

Modules are levels 5 to 7. Each module is delivered using a variety of learning approaches.
Successful completion of the modules will lead to the award of a Postgraduate Certificate Education (PCET) worth 120 credits.


Sixty of these credits could be used towards the full MA Education course at Staffordshire University.
The normal timeframe for completion will be two academic years, part time.
All modules will be assessed using University of Staffordshire’s criteria for work undertaken at Levels 5, 6 and 7. All learning outcomes must be met.

 
Modules
Below is an indicative list of the modules that make up the course (titles subject to change for 2027). Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. 

Compulsory modules

  • Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Post-Compulsory Education And Training
  • Curriculum Design for Inclusive Practice
  • Develop Own Professional Competence and Knowledge
  • Action Research into Subject Specialist Pedagogy

Entry Requirements

If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need IELTS 6.5 or above (with a minimum of 6.0 in each category), or equivalent.
At least a 2:2 classification degree aligned to the subject you wish to teach.

 
A minimum of GCSE in English and Maths, at Grade 4,  or Level 2 equivalent already held or gained as part of initial needs analysis and induction.


You will be required to successfully complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application and be certified fit to teach.


You will be invited to attend an interview before being accepted and enrolled onto the course. 

Teaching and Assessment on the course

To help everyone get the most out of their studies, we teach through a combination of lectures, workshops, and practical sessions. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your tutor at least twice a year. You will be taught in excellent learning spaces throughout your course that reflect the types of environment you will develop your teaching career in.

  
You will have the support of your PGCE tutor and a Subject Mentor/Coach. Your Subject Mentor will help you to develop deeper subject knowledge combined with pedagogical knowledge.  This is where you put theory into practice.  
We offer some teaching placement opportunities within the college, and we support a small number of applicants who have teaching placements in other colleges (maximum 1 hour from Ashton Sixth Form College). 


Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year independent project and lesson observations. 


The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark. You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. 

Location

You will study at Ashton Sixth Form College within the HE Centre. Your qualification is awarded by the University of Staffordshire.

After completing the course, you’ll be equipped to teach in the following sectors:
-FE colleges
-Sixth forms
-Private training organisation
-Voluntary organisations
-Work-based training
-Prisons
-Young offender institutes
If you’re unsure about teaching in these sectors, most of our FE partner colleges will provide advice and guidance.

After completing the PGCE you can also enter the MA Education at Postgraduate Diploma level and complete a full Masters in two years of part-time study.

Cost

£3995 per year of study

If you are applying for the PGCE then you normally have a 2:2 classification degree or higher, in the specialist subject relevant to your teaching.  If you are applying for the Certificate in Education (Cert Ed) then you will need a minimum of a Level 3 qualification or equivalent in the specialist subject relevant to your teaching area, e.g. GCE A Level, NVQ3, BTEC Higher, L3 Certificate in an appropriate Key Skills, HND.

The recommended entry requirements for both the PGCE and Cert Ed are as follows:

  • A minimum of GCSE in English and Maths at Grade C or Level 2 equivalent already held or gained as part of initial needs analysis and induction.
  • If English is not your first language you will be expected to have achieved an IELTS score of 6.5 or above (with a minimum of 5.5 in each category).
  • 250 placement hours (up to 150 teaching hours) to be secured and evidenced by employer institution prior to enrolment.
  • Must be aged 19 or over.


You will be invited for interview prior to acceptance and enrolment onto the course.

Please complete an online application via Staffordshire University. Click here for the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PCET) and here for the Certificate in Education (PCET).

Employer Endorsement Form

Guidance and Information Booklet

Application Flow Chart

Student Finance Flow Chart

Information on full-time student finance can be found here

The Department for Education will be offering a Further Education (FE) initial teacher education (ITE) pre-service bursaries programme for the 2025 to 2026 academic year. Tax-free bursaries will be available to trainees who are training pre-service (i.e. before entering paid teaching employment) to teach high-priority subjects in the FE sector in England.

The eligible subjects and bursary values are set out in the table below.

Subject and Bursary Value

 

Mathematics

Science (Chemistry, Physics, Biology)

Engineering (and/or manufacturing)

Computing

SEND

English (capped at 100 places)

£31,000

£31,000

£31,000

£31,000

£15,000

£10,000
   
   

Kirstine M - Maths tutor and Education and Health Assessor

Kirstine has successfully completed the PGCE Post-16 course specialising in Mathematics. During her placement at the college, she taught GCSE Mathematics to both 16-19-year-olds and adult learners with great enthusiasm. Following the completion of her course, Kirstine secured a teaching position at the college, delivering maths lessons to the Access to HE Diploma in Health Science cohort. She also works as an assessor in the education and health department.

Josh L - Teacher in Law

Josh has now completed the PGCE Post 16 course for teaching Law & Criminology. Josh will be continuing his teaching post at the same place as where he completed his placement in September, which is here at Ashton Sixth Form College within both the Law Department and The Psychology/Criminology department! Josh has worked within these departments, at the college, as part of his placement since September 2021 and he has shown immense care and pride for our learners. He is a true professional and is continuing to develop at an extremely fast pace given all the experience gained from both the PGCE course and from the placement at the college.

Nicole S - Teacher in Psychology

Nicole has now completed the PGCE Post 16 course for teaching Psychology and will be starting a teaching post at a school in Sheffield, in September 2022. Nicole has worked with our Higher Education department at the college as part of her placement and has been very attentive to our learners. She is a true professional.

Kirstine M - Maths tutor and Education and Health Assessor

Kirstine has successfully completed the PGCE Post-16 course specialising in Mathematics. During her placement at the college, she taught GCSE Mathematics to both 16-19-year-olds and adult learners with great enthusiasm. Following the completion of her course, Kirstine secured a teaching position at the college, delivering maths lessons to the Access to HE Diploma in Health Science cohort. She also works as an assessor in the education and health department.

Josh L - Teacher in Law

Josh has now completed the PGCE Post 16 course for teaching Law & Criminology. Josh will be continuing his teaching post at the same place as where he completed his placement in September, which is here at Ashton Sixth Form College within both the Law Department and The Psychology/Criminology department! Josh has worked within these departments, at the college, as part of his placement since September 2021 and he has shown immense care and pride for our learners. He is a true professional and is continuing to develop at an extremely fast pace given all the experience gained from both the PGCE course and from the placement at the college.

Nicole S - Teacher in Psychology

Nicole has now completed the PGCE Post 16 course for teaching Psychology and will be starting a teaching post at a school in Sheffield, in September 2022. Nicole has worked with our Higher Education department at the college as part of her placement and has been very attentive to our learners. She is a true professional.

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