PGCert Performance Teaching

The Post-Graduate Certificate (PGCert) in Performance Teaching is a Masters-level course is designed to support professional musicians, actors, production artists and dancers who teach as part of their practice, either as their main employment or as part of a portfolio career. It offers a unique opportunity to develop creative and reflective practice in teaching performing arts either in person, or online. You will be encouraged to identify a personal pathway for your development, focusing on the pedagogy of performance and creative practice in the performing arts, in specific contexts that are most relevant to your career aspirations.

There are two pathways: PGCert and PGCert (HE). If you already have appropriate experience of teaching at HE level you may have the option of taking the PGCert (HE) pathway which will lead to additional professional recognition - Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. In order to be eligible for the PGCert (HE) pathway, you need to be able to draw on at least 50-60 hours of authentic HE Learning & Teaching practice whilst doing the course.

Who is it for?

The programme attracts applicants who are interested in creative, innovative and evidence-based performance teaching. You could be at any stage of your career as long as you’re willing to take a fresh look at your practice. Equally, you might teach in range of contexts, including schools, Higher Education, junior conservatoires, community and lifelong learning.

How you'll be assessed

You will be supported throughout the programme with ongoing formative feedback. The major summative assignments leading to the qualification cover a range of elements, including:

• Individual presentation on your core values and principles in teaching
• Practical group workshop and presentation
• Written critical reflection relating to your own teaching practice and observations of other teachers
• Case studies of your teaching practice, incorporating lesson planning, feedback on your own observed teaching practice and the evaluation of your own teaching through feedback from your students

Where can this lead?

Participants in the programme have been promoted in their existing working contexts as well as branching out into new teaching areas. Others have gone on to further study including PhDs and our coaching-mentoring programme.