CertEd Certificate in Education (incorporating the Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills))

• Year 1

• You are expected to complete four 30-credit modules and ten teaching observations. As a full-time trainee you are committed to a Monday-to-Friday week of academic and professional study, consisting of two full days per week of on-campus study, a minimum of at least two days per week of professional practice placement (arranged by the University) and one day per week of independent study and research. You work closely with your colleagues on the programme, learning together and from one another, with peer support an important part of the programme 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

  • Learners, Learning and Teaching (PCET401)

    This module, taken at the start of the course, addresses legal, policy-based and theoretical understandings of practices in Further Education and Skills Sector (FE&S). It prepares teachers for practice and helps them to reflect and respond to the needs of learners, utilising a range of approaches to teaching and assessment, while ensuring they understand the need for compliance with regulatory systems. It also inducts the teachers into the processes and approaches of the teacher training course that they will engage with throughout their studies.

  • Subject Specialist Teaching and Managing the Learning Environment (PCET502)

    This module supports a trainee teacher’s investigation into and application of subject specialist pedagogy. Trainee teachers will analyse and critically evaluate theories and principles of inclusive/adaptive practice, identifying ways to improve practice, with reference to the Occupational Standards. Through ongoing experiential learning and reflective practice, trainee teachers will be evidencing their creativity, resilience and flexibility as practitioners. Trainees will work with their mentor to engage in the full range of teaching activities.

  • Teaching and the Curriculum (PCET503)

    This module explores the development of subject specialist curricula and associated pedagogies. Trainee teachers demonstrate the ability to make and justify choices made in curriculum design. Trainee teachers will show an holistic awareness of EMD, EDI, ESD and SEND in relation to inclusive curriculum design. Trainees will also critically analyse and evaluate the use of digital technologies and how they can and will shape educational practices. Trainees will work with their mentor to engage in the full range of teaching activities.

  • Professional Practice (PCET504)

    This module focuses upon notions of professionalism and wider professional practice roles and responsibilities associated with the learner journey. Concepts and systems of quality assurance and quality improvement will be critically analysed. Trainee teachers will demonstrate engagement and competence with all the Occupational Standards and consolidate their enactment of the range of teacher roles and responsibilities. The module will also look forward to future practices, CPD, and the gaining of Professional Status. Participants reflexively evaluate their professional and personal progress and plan future development to take them in to their first year of teaching post qualification.

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 and Cert Ed inc DiT FE and Skills Programme Specification Sep24 7747