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“At the University of Bolton, we take great pride in providing a quality, supportive learning environment for our students.” Professor George E Holmes DL | President & Vice Chancellor
“...tutors are very supportive and you’re not just a student ID number, at this university you are an individual with a name.” Ellisse Vernon | BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing
PGCE M Post Graduate Certificate in Education M 14+
Do you have a bachelor’s degree and wish to teach people aged 14 and over? If you have a passion for your specialist subject and want to inspire and educate others, this nationally-recognised master’s level qualification opens the door to teaching and assessing in further and higher education, work-based learning, pre-employment training and more.
Key information
Award:
PGCE M
Mode of Study:
Full-time
Duration:
1 year
Location:
University of Bolton
Start date:
02/09/2024
Course Details
Teaching is a challenging and rewarding career, and it’s not limited to schools. Further education and sixth form colleges, adult and community education, the prison and probation services, pre-employment training and work-based learning are also environments where talented teachers are needed. If you’re already qualified in an area such as art and design, business and legal studies, health and childhood studies, humanities, language and communications, maths, science, or technology, then this course offers you the skills and knowledge needed for a wide variety of roles teaching people aged 14 and above. This PGCE (M) course is 120 credits at master's level (HE7), demonstrating your ability to work independently at a high level in the field of education. 90 credits at HE7 can be transferred to a full master's award, depending on the specialist masters pathway.
Through a combination of traditional study and work-based learning, you’ll be able to explore the key theories and techniques of teaching, learning and assessment. We’ll support you as you discover how to apply them in practice, how you can mould them to the teaching of your specialist subject and how they link into current research in education.
We’ll guide you as you learn to plan lessons, deliver classes, assess your students’ performances and provide constructive feedback. Our expert and supportive tutors will work to help you become an expert, engaging and inclusive teacher with high standards of professionalism.
Highlights
This is a pre-service Initial Teacher Education (ITE) course – you don’t need prior experience of teaching or current employment in education.
Ofsted rated our Further Education and Skills (FES) 14+ ITE courses' overall effectiveness as 'good' in all areas, including the quality of education and training, and leadership and management at their last inspection in May 2022. Their report also said 'Trainees in the FES phase have access to a well-planned and ambitious curriculum’ and ‘Trainees are well supported to develop their subject-specific pedagogy equally well through all of the different FES ITE programmes’ (Ofsted, 2022).
In most cases, we’ll organise your work placements and these may be in a variety of settings, helping you gain a rounded appreciation of the types of environment you can work in and experience teaching a diverse range of learners.
Face-to-face sessions and one-to-one support are offered by our team of highly experienced, enthusiastic and dedicated experts, ensuring you have access to feedback and advice.
Our academic team is actively involved in educational research, ensuring you have access to the latest thinking in teaching and learning.
The course is designed to help you achieve your potential and enjoy teaching. By encouraging you to reflect on your performance and take charge of your own development, we aim to prepare you for a successful career in education.
Key Features
The University of Bolton sits at the heart of an extensive and well-established partnership of post-14 education and training providers, offering access to an impressive range of educational environments.
Our highly qualified and dedicated team offer a wealth of experience of teaching both in post-14 education and training and teacher education.
We offer a warm and friendly environment for your studies, with relatively small class sizes and excellent IT and library facilities.
Work-based learning through teaching placements is essential for success on this course and you’ll have the opportunity to gain a minimum of 100 hours’ experience planning and delivering learning.
This PGCE M 14+ course meets the requirements of the FE-specific Diploma in Education and Training (DET), which is the recognised full teaching qualification for the FE and Skills sector. It’s ideal if you wish to teach in adult and community education, further education, sixth form colleges, universities, the prison and probation services, pre-employment training and work-based learning.
After completing this ITE course, you can progress towards QTLS (Qualified Teacher for Learning and Skills) which is recommended for teaching in the FE and Skills sector.
By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes Bolton an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.
Professional recognition
The University of Bolton’s Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) M 14+ programme meets the requirement of the FE-specific Diploma in Education and Training (DET). All new FE and Skills teachers must complete a teacher education qualification as the first step in obtaining QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills).
The course does not lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) to teach in schools. However, QTLS does legally have equivalence to QTS and is recognised by some head teachers in schools.
You should have at least a lower second class (2.2) honours degree (or equivalent) in a subject that is relevant to the area you wish to teach.
If you have a third class honours degree, your application will be considered on an individual basis.
If your degree is not from a recognised UK higher education institution advice will be taken from the International Office on comparability.
If you have an HND, Foundation Degree or DipHE, please see our CertEd Certificate in Education 14+ course details.
You'll be required to attend an interview as part of the application process. This will involve written diagnostic tests for English/literacy and mathematics/numeracy, a short oral presentation, and a face-to-face interview.
This course involves working unsupervised with children and/or vulnerable adults and all students must gain an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure certificate for a Child Workforce including Child Barred List checks, before starting their studies. Charges are payable to cover the cost of the DBS Enhanced Disclosure application and annual registration with the online Update Service.
You'll need to provide satisfactory references, a satisfactory health declaration and a satisfactory student agreement prior to enrolment on the course.
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
We'll also consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (M) 14+ is a teacher education course for graduates who wish to teach in the Further Education and Skills sector of education; for example in adult and community education, further education, sixth form colleges, the prison and probation services, pre-employment training and work-based learning.
This sector offers opportunities to work with further education learners who range in age from 14 years old to adult. These students come from different backgrounds and experiences and may enter further education from local schools, the community, industry or local businesses.
What can I do with this qualification?
In addition to working in FE colleges, sixth form colleges and schools there are significant opportunities to work in a range of other educational sectors. The work-based learning sector ensures people are ready for work and have the latest skills. It includes working with apprentices, young people who are not yet ‘job ready’, and employed adults who need to update their skills. Job opportunities in this sector are often with training providers in the private sector, but can also be within the work-based learning units in colleges.
The adult and community learning sector delivers a range of community-based courses, including practical and creative, basic skills, language and computer courses. The justice sector involves working in prisons and youth offender institutions teaching basic skills. Some offender institutions offer vocational preparation courses. Much of this work is sub-contracted out to local FE colleges who then provide relevant staff.
Alternative career options
PGCE M 14+ holders can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. For some of these roles, relevant experience and/or further postgraduate study may be required. Some of these careers include:
Higher education
Education officer
Mentoring
Family liaison
Educational psychology
Education administration
Student services advice
Student liaison
Educational writing and journalism
Examinations
Counselling
Careers guidance
Training
Quality standards
Course fees
Home Fees
Year of study
Total
Entry year
2023/24
2024/25
2023
£9,250
-
£9,250
2023
-
£9,250
£9,250
International
Year of study
Total
Entry year
2023/24
2024/25
2023
£13,550
-
£13,550
2023
-
£15,950
£15,950
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year:
EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status.
If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement.
Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the
normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in
March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:
You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen
start date from the list below:
You should have to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course –
you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be
someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format.
Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page.
If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data
you have already input.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394
or admissions@bolton.ac.uk
In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.
Have you completed an English Language qualification prior to application or have a valid exemption as per the list below?
(The qualification/exemption must be uploaded with this application)
E.g. Applicants from Nigeria/Africa must upload their WAEC or NECO certificate before the application is
submitted for a prompt response and offer.
Acceptable English Language Tests – Undergraduate and Postgraduate
These tests must have been taken within 2 years of the start of the course
Test
Entry Requirements
IELTS Academic (taken within 2 years)
Undergraduate programmes 6.0 with no band below 5.5 Postgraduate programmes as per entry requirements
IELTS Indicator
Undergraduate programmes 6.0 with no band below 5.5 Postgraduate programmes as per entry requirements
PTE
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Overall score of 50 with no less than 42 in each component
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Overall score of 58 with no less than 50 in each component
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
Overall score of 65 with no less than 58 in each component
TOEFL iBT Including Special Home Edition
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Overall score of 80 with the following component scores:
Reading – 18
Writing – 17
Listening – 17
Speaking - 20
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Overall Score of 88 with the following component scores:
Reading – 20
Writing – 19
Listening – 19
Speaking 21
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
Overall Score of 100 with the following component scores:
Reading – 23
Writing – 24
Listening – 22
Speaking 22
Pearson Versant
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Overall score of 55
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Overall score of 60
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
Overall score of 65
Trinity College (Integrated Skills)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
ISE II –Distinction in each component
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
ISE III – Pass in each component
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
ISE III – Merit in each component
Other qualifications we currently accept (which do not require an additional SELT)
GCSE in English Language (from a UK awarding body)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade C
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade B
Irish Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level English
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade C/C3 (20 points)
IGCSE English as a First language
(for syllabus 0500 Listening and Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade C
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade B
IGCSE English as a Second language
(for syllabus 0510 Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade C
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade B
Cambridge Advanced English
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
170 points with no component below 160
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
180 points with no component below 170
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
185 points with no component below 180
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Standard or Higher Level English Language (Syllabus A)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade 4
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade 5
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Standard or Higher Level English Language (Syllabus B)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade 5
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade 6
European Baccalaureate English Language
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade 70%
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade 80%
Acceptable European qualifications
English component must be obtained within the last 4 years
Country
Qualification
Austria
Reifeprufungszeugnis/Maturazeugnis at 2.0
Belgium
Diplome d'acces a l'enseignment superieur/Diplome van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs at 75%
Bulgaria
Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie at Grade 3
Croatia
Svjedodzba o Maturi at grade 4.0
Cyprus
Apolyterion at 15
Czech Republic
Maturitni Zkou'ce/Maturita at grade 2.0
Denmark
Studentereksamen/HF/HHX/HTX/IBB /Diplomingenior at grade 9
Estonia
Riigieksamitunnistus or Gümnaasiumilõputunnistus at 70%
Finland
Ylioppilastutkintotodistus or Studentexamensbetyg at grade 5
France
Baccalauréat (le bac) or the Option Internationale du Baccalauréat at grade 12.5
Germany
Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife or Abitur or a Fachgebundene Hochschulreife at grade 2 / gut
Greece
Apolyterion at grade 15
Hungary
Erettsegi at grade 4
Italy
Diploma di Esame di Stato at grade 8/80%
Latvia
Atestats Par Visparejo Videjo Izglitib at grade 8
Lithuania
Brandos Atestatas at grade 8
Malta
Matriculation Certificate at grade C
Moldova
Diploma de Bacalaureat or Atestat de Studii Medii de Cultura Generala at grade 9
Netherlands
Diploma Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (MBO) or Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) at grade 8
Norway
Vitnemal-Videregaende Opplaering at grade 4
Poland
Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci / Matura at grade 70%
Portugal
Diploma de Ensino Secundario at grade 14
Romania
Diploma de Bacalaureat (English with all components at B2)
Slovakia
Vysvedcenie O Maturitnej at grade 2
Slovenia
Maturitetno Spricevalo at grade 4
Spain
Titulo de Bachillerato at grade 8
Sweden
Fullstandigt Slutbetyg Fran Gymnasiesk at grade C
Switzerland
Maturitatszeugnis or Maturite Federal at grade 5
Ukraine
Aтестат про повну загальну середню освіту at grade 10
Acceptable International Regional qualifications
Must be obtained no more than 4 years before the proposed start date of the course
Country
Qualification
Grade
Bahamas
General Certificate of Secondary Education
Grade C in English
Botswana
General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level
Grade C/4 in English
Brunei
Cambridge O Level
Grade C6 in English
Cameroon
GCE O level
Grade C in English
Hong Kong
HKCEE
Grade C in English (Syllabus B)
Hong Kong
HKDSE
Grade 4 in English
Kenya
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
Grade C in English
Malaysia
Malaysian 1119
Grade 6C in English - IELTS 6.0
Singapore
Singapore Cambridge O Level
Grade C6 in English
South Africa
South Africa National Senior Certificate
Grade 5 in English
Tanzania
Certificate of Secondary Education
Grade C in English
Uganda
Certificate of Education
Grade 6
Zambia
Zambia School Certificate
Grade 6 in English
Zimbabwe
General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level
Grade C in English
Caribbean Examination Council
General proficiency Grade III in English
Nigeria/Ghana
WAEC/NECO
Grade C6 in English
I confirm I hold one of the above English Language Qualifications/Exemptions before making an application. I will upload the evidence with this application.
Unfortunately we would be unable to sponsor under the Student Route Visa. If you do not require a visa to study in the UK please email us for further advice: intadmissions@bolton.ac.uk
Have you read and understood the course entry requirements and confirm that you fully meet the requirements?
(Please click on Entry Requirements tab above to ensure you comply with all the requirements for this course)
I understand that the university reserves the right to withdraw their offer at any stage once the quota for the course has been filled.
I understand that I will be required to pay specific fees before CAS issuance is considered by the university.
I must declare any agent or consultant at the start of my application and they must be on the list of approved agents.
(We also have Branch Offices in Africa,
South Asia, Middle East and
Central Asia who fully manage
applications in their respective regions.)
I am able to complete the course in the normal duration.
I am able to arrive on time for the published start date.
I confirm that I will be 18 years old or more on the start date of the course.
I understand that the following documents will be uploaded as part my application:
(a) Passport with at least 6 months validity before start of course.
(b) Personal statement (written by myself).
(c) CV if applicable.
(d) Previous qualifications.
(e) English language certificate or proof of exemption.
(f) Professional references if applicable.
(g) Bank Statements and TB Certificate if applicable at the CAS issuance stage.
I have read and understood all questions and answered them correctly and truthfully to the best of my ability and knowledge.
The University welcomes applications from international students from all over the world.
We try to make the application process as simple and as fast as possible for our international applicants.
How you apply is determined by your current location and what you are choosing to study:
Apply direct to the University. Links for the next available intakes of this course are shown below.
Please click the link which will direct you to the online application form. Please read the user
guidance before completing this.
Apply via one of our approved in-country referral partners. A list of our partners may be found on the
International pages of this website.
Apply via UCAS for courses starting in September only – visit
www.ucas.com.
Should you have any queries please contact the International Team on +44 (0) 1204 903110 or email
international@bolton.ac.uk
We take a blended approach to teaching and learning, using a combination of face-to-face sessions, work-based learning and electronic resources and communications. You can expect timetabled classes and lectures, along with workshops, small group and individual practical activities, and structured exercises and discussions. Individual support will be given in tutorials. We’ll encourage you to take part in online discussions with your peers and tutors, to make full use of ICT as a source of information and support, and to maintain a digital portfolio of evidence.
In most cases, work-based placements will be arranged for you in situations that meet the requirements for becoming a qualified teacher in the FE and Skills sector. They may involve daytime or evening teaching, or both. In most cases, our placement partners will expect you to have several years’ work experience so that you can bring this wider experience into your teaching. While work experience is not one of our listed entry requirements, it is strongly recommended as we may be unable to find you suitable placements without it.
During your placements, your teaching practice will be assessed according to Ofsted guidelines and documented through session planning, observation reports and reflective journals. You’ll receive informal feedback on your performance, to help you assess your progress and improve your practice, as well as formal assessment that will contribute to your overall grade for the course.
Additional formal assessment will be based on coursework. You’ll be expected to produce written work that demonstrates your understanding and ability to apply the course content. You’ll also receive informal peer and tutor feedback on individual and group activities. Your tutor will guide you towards areas of appropriate research and background reading that will help you to complete your coursework.
To be awarded your PGCE M 14+ qualification, you’ll need to demonstrate that you’ve met all the learning outcomes for the course. Our highly experienced and dedicated staff will guide and support you in this, but a significant amount of personal and independent study is essential and you’ll need to take responsibility for managing your own learning.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
Introduction to Teaching and Learning
Behaviour and Wellbeing for Teaching and Learning
Curriculum and Assessment for Teaching and Learning
Developing Professionalism in Teaching and Learning (Specialist Module) Part 1 - ITE
Developing Professionalism in Teaching and Learning (Specialist Module) Part 2 - ITE
Assessment methods
Level
Assesment method
Level one
Coursework 100%
Learning activities
Level
Learning activity
Level one
Guided independent study 80%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 20%
Disclaimer
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.