School of Society and Culture

CertEd Certificate in Education (incorporating the Diploma in Education and Training)

Develop the skills, knowledge and professional values to enhance your teaching career within the further education and skills sector. This nationally endorsed qualification prepares you for the challenges and rewards of teaching in a variety of environments, including further education colleges, adult and community education and the public sector. Qualify ready to enter the workplace.

Take advantage of opportunities to network with potential employers. Follow in the footsteps of many of our trainees and possibly go on to find employment within the organisations you work with during your placement. After completing this course you'll have the option to gain Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status.

Key features
  • Receive 'excellent support from tutors and mentors and make good progress in developing the skills and attributes to become accomplished teachers' (Ofsted, 2014).
  • Spend two days a week on placement in a further education and skills setting. 
  • Benefit from highly skilled and qualified tutors with many years’ experience in the further education and skills sector.
  • Take advantage of opportunities to network with potential employers. Follow in the footsteps of many of our trainees and possibly go on to find employment within the organisations you work with during your placement.
  • Demonstrate innovation, creativity and enterprise throughout your time on the programme and benefit from the way education for sustainable development is embedded in the programme. There is a strong research base across the partnership which underpins these and other developments in the programme
  • Work closely with your fellow trainees, learning together and from one another, with peer-support is an important part of the programme’s philosophy and organisation.
  • Tailored for applicants who hold a bachelors or masters degree. The PGCE is available to those who do not hold one of these qualifications
  • Take your qualifications to the next level - after completing this course you'll have the option to gain Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status
  • We work with the local General and Specialist Further Colleges and would invite applicants with a range of qualifications and relevant experience.
Course details

  • Course structure

  • During this one year programme you’ll be expected to complete four 30-credit modules and eight teaching observations. As a full-time trainee, you’ll be committed to a Monday to Friday week of academic and professional study, consisting of two full days a week of on-campus study, two days a week of professional practice placement (arranged by the University) and one day a week of independent study and research. 
    You work closely with your coursemates, learning together and from one another, with peer support an important part of the course organisation and learning. Your teaching observations are carried out by University tutors and subject specialist mentors in an atmosphere of professional evaluation and support.

    Core modules

    • Learning, Teaching and Assessment (DLLS490)

      This module addresses the processes, principles and theories of planning, preparing and enabling learning. It will examine theories, principles and processes of assessment including inclusive assessment practices. It investigates key aspects of the roles and responsibilities of teachers, trainers and tutors in this Sector.

    • Curriculum and Society (DLLS579)

      This module explores curriculum theories, principles and ideologies and social, economic, political and cultural differences affecting inclusive curriculum design, equality and diversity and education for sustainable development. It enables evaluation of individual subject specialisms in relation to inclusive curriculum design.

    • Wider Practice and Professional Development (DLLS580)

      This module focuses upon notions of professionalism and wider professional practice enabling examination of professional conduct, accountability, quality assurance and improvement, and the wider context of teaching. Participants evaluate their professional and personal development and plan future development

    • Theories and Principles of Managing Learning Environments (DLLS584)

      Through reflective practice and study, this module evaluates theories, policies and principles for enabling inclusive learning, focusing on learning environments including classroom, virtual, restricted, work-place, field trips and outdoors. It examines communication, resources, teaching/learning strategies and organisation policies.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

PGCE Cert Ed DET Programme Specification 2020 21 4825

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.
Entry requirements

Academic Requirements

 
  • A level three qualification (or be able to demonstrate suitable subject expertise and specialist knowledge) in the subject area you wish to teach.
 
  • GCSE: level 2 equivalent in both English and Maths. 
  • Good information and communications technology (ICT) skills.
 
Applicants with overseas qualifications can check their compatibility with Ecctis, who provide an advisory service.
If English is not your first language, you require: 
  • IELTS at level 7 with 7 in all four components or GCSE in English language at grade C or above.

Non-academic Requirements

All appropriately qualified candidates will be given equal consideration during the selection process. The University does not tolerate discrimination on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, colour, disability, religion, nationality, age, sexual orientation or any other irrelevant distinction.
You’ll normally be pre-service and your entry onto the programme will be conditional upon the University identifying a suitable placement and mentor in the subject specialism.

An interview is a pre-requisite for entry onto this programme


There is a two-stage interview process for this course. The first stage is conducted by a member of the teaching team. If successful there will be a second interview with a subject specialist tutor from the placement college. This interview is to ascertain your level of subject knowledge in the areas that you might reasonably be expected to deliver whilst on your teaching placement. Find more information about interviews in the Institute's interview pages.
For a full list of all acceptable qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.
Fees, costs and funding
Student 2023-2024 2024-2025
Home £9,250 £9,250
International £16,300 £17,100
Part time (Home) £770 £770
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

Undergraduate scholarships for international students

To reward outstanding achievement the University of Plymouth offers scholarship schemes to help towards funding your studies.

Additional costs

This course is delivered by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business and more details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are listed on the following page: Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business additional costs.

How to apply

To apply for this course, please download, complete and return the application form.

The deadline for the receipt of international applications is 31 May 2023 for entry in September 2023.

Guidance notes are available to enable you to complete the application form.

Please contact our Admissions Office should you require any further information:

Central Admissions
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth
PL4 8AA

Tel: 01752 585858 Fax: 01752 588050
email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk


To apply for this course, please download, complete and return the application form.

Guidance notes are available to enable you to complete the application form.

Please contact our Admissions Office should you require any further information:

Central Admissions
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth
PL4 8AA

Tel: 01752 585858 Fax: 01752 588050
email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk

Find out about...

Graduate profiles

Dan Wheatley - graduate profile

I found the period changed and developed my outlook on life tremendously. This was an opportunity to explore experiences from our teaching placements and reflect on developments. The quality of teaching from the tutors on this course was outstanding.
Dan's excellent work placement has led to him now being employed as a lecturer.
Dan Wheatley - graduate profile
Tom Rooney

People

  • Lecturer in Education (PGCE/Cert inc DET) and Mentor/Placement Coordination
    Programme Leader
  • Lecturer in Education (PGCE/Cert inc DET) and Mentor/Placement Coordination
  • Lecturer in Further Education