PGCE & Cert Ed Post 16 (Teacher Training)

*Applications are now open for September 2025.

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

This qualification is awarded by The University of Staffordshire. 

 

 
These courses are available part-time over 2 years, with a weekly college lesson on Thursday evenings, along with teaching practice. (250 placement hours - up to 150 teaching hours).


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. Please be aware that the PGCE PCET is currently being updated in line with DfE changes to this teaching qualification. The new modules and module content may vary from the current information. The framework and end qualification will stay the same.

The aim of the course is to equip teachers with the skills and attributes necessary for them to deliver high quality training to their learners.

The course is designed primarily for those who teach post-16 learners and is designed around a framework of Professional Standards for teaching and supporting learning in the PCET sector.

This practical work-based course provides opportunities to develop professional understanding and knowledge through academic study, practice and critical reflection on your experiences. Trainees will need to be self-motivated and self-organised and to engage in online lecturers, work-based tasks and tutorials. Trainees will also need to work with peers and develop their practice through teaching observations. Assessment is therefore 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 and learning to their learners.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: PGCE Post-Compulsory Education and Training.
 
Course content
The course consists of one Level 4 module at 40 credits, one Level 6 module at 20 credits and two Level 7 modules, one at 20 credits and one at 40 credits. 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 one academic year, full time or two academic years, part time.

All modules will be assessed using University of Staffordshire’s criteria for work undertaken at Levels 4, 6 and 7. All learning outcomes must be met.
 
Modules
Below is an indicative list of the modules that make up the course. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Compulsory modules
-Action Research Into Subject Specialist Pedagogy
20 credits
-Curriculum Design For Inclusive Practice
20 credits
-Develop Own Professional Competence And Knowledge
40 credits
-Teaching, Learning And Assessment In Post-Compulsory Education And Training
40 credits

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.

Normally a 2:2 classification degree. A minimum of a Level 3 qualification or equivalent in the specialist subject relevant to trainees’ teaching area, e.g. GCE, A Level, NVQ3, BTEC Higher, L3 Certificate in an appropriate Key Skills, HND. Equivalence will be utilised in specialisms where no Level 3 qualification exists.

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.

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

You will be invited for interview prior to your acceptance and enrolment onto the course. Teaching practice should take place as defined within the LSIS (2013) guidance documentation. You will be provided with a teaching placement post enrolment.

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.



Certificate in Education Post 16

The course intended for those working in the Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) sector. Please be aware that this course is currently being updated in line with DfE changes to this teaching qualification. The new modules and module content may vary from the current information. The framework and end qualification will stay the same.

The aim of the course is to equip teachers with the skills and attributes necessary for them to deliver high quality training to their learners.

The course is designed primarily for those who teach post-16 learners and is designed around a framework of Professional Standards for teaching and supporting learning in the PCET sector.

This practical work-based course provides opportunities to develop professional understanding and knowledge through academic study, practice and critical reflection on your experiences. Trainees will need to be self-motivated and self-organised and to engage in online lecturers, work-based tasks and tutorials. Trainees will also need to work with peers and develop their practice through teaching observations. Assessment is therefore 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 and learning to their learners.
On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: Certificate in Education Post-Compulsory Education and Training.
 
Course content
The course consists of one Level 4 module at 40 credits, three Level 5 modules: one at 40 credits and two at 20 credits. Each module is delivered using a variety of learning approaches.

Successful completion of the modules will lead to the award of a level 5 Certificate in Education (PCET) worth 120 credits.

Once you have completed the Cert Ed, you can use your credits to work towards a BA (Hons) Education degree (PCET, Top Up route)

The normal timeframe for completion will be two academic years, part time . All modules will be assessed using The University of Staffordshire's criteria for work undertaken at Levels 4 and 5 and all learning outcomes must be met.
 
 
Modules
The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available. 

Compulsory Modules
-Curriculum Design for Inclusive Practice
20 credits
-Teaching, Learning And Assessment In Post-Compulsory Education And Training
40 credits
-Action Research Into Subject Specialist Pedagogy
20 credits
-Develop Own Professional Competence And Knowledge
40 credits

Entry Requirements 

You must have access to a full breadth of teaching experiences within PCET. This is essential, as all modules require you to evaluate and reflect upon you own current practices as a teacher and as an education professional in order to achieve the learning outcomes. You need to guarantee that you have a minimum of 100 hours teaching practice throughout the duration of the course.

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.

A minimum of a Level 3 qualification or equivalent in the specialist subject relevant to trainees’ teaching area, e.g. GCE, A Level, NVQ3, BTEC Higher, L3 Certificate in an appropriate Key Skills, HND. Equivalence will be utilised in specialisms where no Level 3 qualification exists.

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.

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

You will be invited for interview prior to your acceptance and enrolment onto the course. Teaching practice should take place as defined within the LSIS (2013) guidance documentation.

Careers
Holders of the Certificate in Education (PCET) could use the credits towards completing a BA Degree in Education.

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 

Teaching and assessment

Teaching
Students learn in different ways. 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 personal tutor at least twice a year. You will be taught in first-class learning spaces throughout your course. Many of our courses are accredited or recognised by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies.

Assessment
Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. 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 written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Feedback
You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Location
You will study at Ashton Sixth Form College but receive a qualification from University of Staffordshire. 

Cost 
£3995 per year of study 

If you are applying for the PGCE then you normally have a 2:1 classification degree 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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