PGCE Top-up Primary/Early Years/Secondary

Overview

The PGCE Top-up course enables you to achieve the academic award of Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) if you have already successfully completed a Graduate Teacher Programme, or School Direct programme and gained Qualified Teacher Status without the academic award. This PGCE is accredited by the General Teaching Council Scotland which means on successful completion you will have met the requirement to be eligible to apply for registration as a teacher in Scotland.

If you are interested in doing this, information about the rest of the requirements for registration can be found on the GTCS website. In addition, QTS holders in the UK and internationally will benefit from this one year programme, designed to meet the needs of practicing teachers and increase your employability around the world.

Course Details

This course enables academic study alongside full-time teaching. It consists of formal taught sessions with tutors held at weekends or during the mid-term breaks. We also deliver teaching through online sources, which you can access anywhere, at your convenience through our Virtual Learning Environment, NILE. You will also have access to the library and a tutor, who will be available to help in person or online, and we hold regular webinars to support your studies.

This course is designed to support your professional development, embedding academic studies in the context of your work. You will enhance your QTS by studying modules at Masters’ level to gain the PGCE qualification. It will give you a deeper understanding of teaching and learning to enhance your practice and help you on your way to a Masters’ degree and beyond if you wish to progress this further.

How will I be assessed?

You will have a variety of assessments, submitted throughout the year. They will include reflective pieces of writing, essays and a small-scale research project.

How will I learn?

The entire course consists of 18 hours of interactive, taught sessions, involving activities and discussions. This course is run over three terms, generally in October, January and April. You should also expect to do six to 10 hours of private study each week.

The structure of the course has been created to accommodate practicing teachers term times, this is largely an online course with the requirement for private study. There are 3 conferences held at the University (one per term, usually held on Saturdays) with virtual alternatives for those studying at a distance.