Professional Graduate Certificate in Education

Key Details

  • Available at:
    Bangor, Rhos-on-Sea, Dolgellau
  • Study Mode:
    Part-time
  • Course Length:

    2 years (1 day OR a half-day and evening per week)

    • Rhos: Monday 11:30am-5pm
    • Bangor: Monday 12-5pm
    • Dolgellau: Monday 2:30-6:30pm
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Professional Graduate Certificate in Education

Degrees (Higher Education)

Part Time

If you are applying to study part-time you can apply directly to the campus of your choice.

Dolgellau
Rhos-on-Sea

Course Description

Unlock Your Teaching Potential

The Programme Aims To:

  • Equip you with a solid grasp of effective teaching, learning, and assessment principles in the post-compulsory education sector.
  • Foster the application of sound teaching principles in alignment with professional standards and sector-specific values.
  • Cultivate critical reflection skills and a profound sense of responsibility towards learners.
  • Nurture creativity and innovation in teaching through the use of technology and diverse tools for an enhanced learning experience.

Would you like to start a rewarding career teaching young people and adults? Or are you already teaching, but looking for a recognised qualification?

In addition to this formal requirement, evidence from past years shows that completion of the course enhances the career and employment potential of course members.

Whether you are a new or an experienced teacher, this part-time course helps you to develop your career in post-compulsory education. It gives you the skills, knowledge and qualification to begin or continue teaching in further education, adult and community education, prisons or work-based learning contexts.

If you already hold a degree, this teaching course is suitable for you. It allows you to achieve a Level 6 qualification, since you are progressing from previous Higher Education experience. The course is not intended for those wishing to teach in Primary or Secondary schools.

Additional information

More detailed information on Modules is to be found in the ‘Additional Campus/Course Information’ section.

Fees

Visit our course fees page for information on full and part-time degree course fees.

Financial Support

Visit our financial support page for information on the range of support available.

More detailed information on other costs associated with your course and work placements/work experience (if applicable) will be outlined in the programme validation document and explained to you at your interview.

Start date

September

Entry Criteria

Academic requirements:

  • Honours Degree (at least 120 credits, with half at Level 6 or above)
  • Enhanced DBS check
  • Evidence of literacy and numeracy skills at Level 2 (or above)
  • Ability to complete a minimum of 100 hours teaching practice over the duration of the course in an approved environment (e.g. FE, adult education, voluntary sector or publicly funded training provider). Undertake 40 hours observation of experienced practitioners.

Language requirements:

  • Good proficiency in English or Welsh, with equivalent GCSE grade C/4 or above
  • For overseas applicants: proficiency in English Language at IELTS level 7 or equivalent.
  • GCSE in Welsh or English as first language, grade C/4 or above.
  • Any degrees, diplomas or certs should have been taught and assessed in Welsh/English.
  • For overseas applicants, for entry onto Level 4: English fluency to IELTS 5.5 or higher (with no element less than 5.0)
  • For overseas applicants, for entry onto Levels 5: English fluency to IELTS 6.0 or higher (with no element less than 5.5)
  • GCSE Maths desirable

All places are subject to satisfactory interview.

If your qualifications do not meet the entry requirements listed above, we would still encourage you to apply for the course you're interested in, as many of our courses will consider learners based on their previous work and skills experience rather than their qualifications.

If your qualifications do not meet the entry requirements listed above, we would still encourage you to apply for the course you're interested in, as many of our courses will consider learners based on their previous work and skills experience rather than their qualifications.

Delivery

In our dynamic educational environment, we embrace a holistic approach to learning that incorporates various elements to enrich our academic journey.

Group work forms a cornerstone of our curriculum, fostering collaboration and teamwork among trainee teachers which may then be replicated in the trainees own classroom.

Classroom-based learning provides a structured foundation, allowing for engaging discussions and interactive sessions that promote a deeper understanding of teaching in a variety of settings.

Complementing this, tutorial support ensures that individual learning needs are addressed, offering personalised guidance to enhance comprehension.

MOODLE and Google Classroom platforms serve as a robust virtual learning environment, offering resources, assignments, and a platform for ongoing communication.

Moreover, our commitment to a comprehensive learning experience is reflected in the diverse perspectives brought by guest speakers, who share their expertise and real-world experiences, further enriching our educational landscape.

Contact:

For specific course enquiries, please contact:

Lesley Surguy-Price (Programme Leader - Coleg Llandrillo): surguy1l@gllm.ac.uk

Christian Davies (Programme Leader - Coleg Menai): davies10c@gllm.ac.uk

Catrin Edwards (Programme Leader Year 1 - Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor): edward4c@gllm.ac.uk

Delyth Williams (Programme Leader Year 2 - Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor): willia11d@gllm.ac.uk

Lisa Nobbs (Administration): nobbs1l@gllm.ac.uk

For general enquiries about our degrees, please contact: degrees@gllm.ac.uk

Assessment

Our approach to assessment is multifaceted, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of teacher trainee progress and understanding. Diverse assessment methods are employed to cater to various needs and skills. We emphasise the importance of continuous assessment through assignments and projects, encouraging critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Peer teaches enable trainees to practice and apply theoretical knowledge to real life classrooms. Formative assessments, facilitated through feedback-rich processes, contribute to ongoing development, while summative assessments provide a comprehensive overview of overall performance. Our commitment to fairness and inclusivity is reflected in our use of a variety of assessment modes, recognising the diverse strengths and abilities of our students.

This course is assessed through a range of activities these can include:

  • Practical and written assessments/assignments
  • Presentations and demonstrations
  • Portfolios of work
  • Performance and observation

Progression

Upon completion of the course you will be able to seek employment in numerous forms of post-compulsory education.

If you are already teaching, you will have your skills formally recognised and may be able to seek an enhanced position.

Alternatively, you may choose to progress in your own studies, and could obtain a Masters degree in Education or in your specialist area.

Campus Information Bangor

Unit information

Modules: Year 1 (Generic Modules):
  • Preparing to Teach
  • Learning and Applying Pedagogy
  • Planning and Assessing Learning
  • Professional Practice 1
Modules: Year 2
  • Action Research
  • Enhancing Learning, Teaching and Assessment
  • Professional Practice 2

Campus Information Dolgellau

Unit information

Modules: Year 1 (Generic Modules):
  • Preparing to Teach
  • Learning and Applying Pedagogy
  • Planning and Assessing Learning
  • Professional Practice 1
Modules: Year 2
  • Action Research
  • Enhancing Learning, Teaching and Assessment
  • Professional Practice 2

Campus Information Rhos-on-Sea

Unit information

Modules: Year 1 (Generic Modules):
  • Preparing to Teach
  • Learning and Applying Pedagogy
  • Planning and Assessing Learning
  • Professional Practice 1
Modules: Year 2
  • Action Research
  • Enhancing Learning, Teaching and Assessment
  • Professional Practice 2

Other details

Course type: Degrees (Higher Education)

Level: 4-6

Awarding Body: Bangor University

Bilingual:

This programme is available bilingually at the following campus(es):

  • Bangor
  • Dolgellau

Awarding Body