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Professional/Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

Why choose this programme?

This programme is an excellent development opportunity for a career in teaching or training in a wide range of post-compulsory institutions.

Summary of programme

This is a two year part-time programme for those teaching in the Post-Compulsory sector; this might be in Further Education, Higher Education, the health service, adult and community education, the prison service, the armed forces or private training providers. The programme incorporates the outcomes for Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) and the Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS) and enables students to apply for Professional Formation (following graduation), leading to Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills ( QTLS) status via the Institute for Learning (IfL). QTLS now has parity of esteem with QTS in Schools.

Upon successful completion those with a Level 3 professional or vocational qualification will be awarded the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (Post-Compulsory Education).

Anyone who would like to continue has the opportunity to progress to a BA (Hons) Degree in Educational Studies offered at Oxford Brookes
University.

Programme content

Please note that as programmes are reviewed regularly, the module list may vary from that shown here

Year 1 (Level 6)

• Introduction to Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (incorporates PTLLS outcomes)
• Curriculum and Assessment of and for Learning
• Theories and Principles of Planning and Enabling Learning
• Embedding Literacy, Language and Numeracy within your Specialist Subject

Year 2 (Level 6)

• Continuing Personal and Professional Development
• Curriculum Development for Inclusive Practice
• Wider Professional Practice
• Practitioner Research

Teaching and learning experience

You will have a minimum of three tutorials each year with your Personal Tutor, with additional academic support from Module Tutors. Throughout the year, you are given opportunities to:

• participate in lectures, seminars and workshops which develop your knowledge and understanding of issues relating to the teaching of your subject
• work in groups to examine and discuss issues relating to the teaching of your subject
• plan and deliver short lessons to your peers (micro-teaching)
• observe and analyse teaching (both actual and on video)
• compile an individual portfolio of Schemes of Work, Lesson Plans, Tutor Reports and Self Evaluation of Observed Sessions
• work with a wide range of practical resources, including appropriate computer hardware and software
• work with a number of expert teachers during Teaching Practice who will train and support you
• take responsibility for the planning, preparation, delivery and evaluation of your own lessons
• work in a variety of contexts with trainees representing a range of
  programmes and levels 

Assessment methods

You will be assessed throughout the programme in a number of different ways:

• observation of a minimum of four teaching practice sessions per year – three by OCVC staff and one by your specialist subject Mentor
• micro teach (Year 1 only)
• peer assessment
• presentations
• written submissions
• group work
• reflective professional journal
• personal development planning

Subject specialism

Whilst this is a generic course for teaching in the post-compulsory sector, there is a very strong element of subject specialism achieved by he involvement of a Mentor from your curriculum area. This Mentor will be an appropriately qualified and experienced professional with a real interest in assisting in the development of teachers or trainers in your subject. Mentors will be offered training in aspects of our PGCE and Observation. All of your teaching practice will be with your own students or trainees in your regular workplace.

Resources

You will have full access to the learning centres and IT resources at OCVC campuses in Banbury, Bicester, Oxford and Blackbird Leys. We are also able to offer a range of assistive resources to support students with additional needs.

Each campus has a well-stocked library and access to a wide range of e-learning materials, which are constantly updated and extended to meet course requirements.

The College offers a wide range of other resources and facilities which will be available to you, further details of which can found in the Higher Education Student Handbook.

As well as being enrolled at Oxford & Cherwell Valley College you will be registered with Oxford Brookes University and so will benefit from the same facilities and services as on-campus students. These include: use of Brookes’ libraries, Centre for Sport and Students’ Union, study support and mentoring and professional advice and information from Brookes’ Careers and Employment Centre.

Study support

If you do not have a recognised disability or specific learning difficulty, but feel that you require additional support with your studies, you may be eligible to access some discrete sessions in one of the following areas:

• Assistive software training
• IT up-skilling
• Essay planning and structure
• Proof reading and editing written work
• Bibliographies and referencing
• Time management and personal organisation
• Presentation techniques

N.B. Your eligibility for any of the above support will be reviewed with your course tutors and a member of the study support team on your campus.

Entry requirements

Entrants to the Programme must normally possess the following minimum qualifications:

• An NQF level 2 qualification in English or communication, normally grade A*-C GCSE or ‘O’ level English Language, or otherwise be able to satisfy the University’s requirements with regard to English Language proficiency. For international students this is normally IELTS level 6 in all four elements (reading, writing, speaking and listening).
• Candidates on the in-service programme must demonstrate competence in Level 2 numeracy before graduation.
• A University degree or a recognised professional or trade qualification at NQF level 3 or above for admission to the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (Post-compulsory Education).
• A minimum of 50 hours teaching in each year of the programme.

All applicants are required to attend an interview and initial assessment before admission to the programme. Applicants must provide one written reference from someone who is able to comment on their teaching practice. All applicants will be required to obtain enhanced Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) clearance for working with children and young people and as teachers.

Admission with Credit

Exceptionally, applicants with appropriate prior certificated or experiential learning who make the case in writing with supporting documents may be admitted with exemption from, or credit for, up to fifty percent of the Programme. A tariff of legacy qualifications is available from the Institute for Learning (IfL). A trainee admitted with credit will, on admission, receive a written statement of the modifications of these Programme Regulations as they apply. A charge may be made to trainees requiring assessment of prior learning.

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate that their level of English is acceptable, by achieving a score in a recognised test such as:

• British Council IELTS: normally minimum level 6 in all four elements (reading, writing, speaking and listening).

What you can progress to

Graduates can progress to the MA in Education at Oxford Brookes University.

For non graduates, progression is available to the BA (Hons) Educational Studies, Level 5 Skills for Life (Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL) Diplomas. Also available are Level 5 Diplomas in Information and Learning Technology in the Lifelong Learning Sector and Mentoring in Education.

How to apply

You will need to apply directly to OCVC, call 01865 550 550 for more information or email teachertrainingenquiries@ocvc.ac.uk

Following your application, you will be invited to attend a Course Presentation and initial assessment prior to a one to one interview.

The awarding body is Oxford Brookes University. See also www.brookes.ac.uk/acp

Fees information

Home/EU Fee: £3,060

For further details of fees and financial help, please contact one of our friendly customer service advisors on 01865 550 550 or email uni@ocvc.ac.uk

Destination of graduates

Graduates have gone on to develop their teaching careers in a variety of ways, moving to more substantial roles or promotion to managerial positions.

Many choose to continue studying to gain Level 5 Diplomas offered at OCVC in teaching Skills for Life subjects (Literacy, Numeracy, ILT). Others undertake the Level 5 Diploma Mentoring in Education, often supporting colleagues on a range of teaching qualifications. Those who need to gain Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills status are given post qualification guidance and assistance to do so.

But best of all, graduates feel more confident in their professional abilities and enjoy their teaching.

Further information

Please contact our Customer Services team on 01865 550550 or e-mail enquiries@ocvc.ac.uk for further details.
Oxford & Cherwell Valley College, FREEPOST (OF2194) Oxpens Road, Oxford OX1 1SA