Leicester College has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Teaching in the lifelong learning sector is exciting and rewarding. Validated by De Montfort University, this two-year, part-time course is for those already holding a degree level qualification. Attending on Mondays, you will develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to teach in FE Colleges, Adult and Community Learning, voluntary, public, and private organisation settings. Our two-year, part-time course is validated and certificated by De Montfort University. If you’re joining the course in 2024, you will attend College on Mondays. The course will introduce you to aspects of teaching, learning and assessment to enable you to develop your work as a teacher, trainer or tutor. This course is for those working or wanting to work with learners who are aged 16 or over, including areas such as sixth form, further education, offender learning and adult and community education. After successfully completing the course, you will be eligible to apply for QTLS (Qualified Teacher in Learning and Skills status). Please note this is not suitable for those wishing to pursue primary education. The level 6 Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is available to candidates who have already achieved an undergraduate degree. This doesn’t have to be in the subject you want to teach so long as you have significant industrial experience or a minimum level 3 qualification in your specialist teaching area. It is essential that you have secured at least 125 hours (minimum 75 hours per year) of independent, practical and group teaching hours before the start of the course. This can be paid or voluntary – we may be able to assist you in finding a suitable placement if you are struggling, depending on your subject specialism. In addition, you will be expected to undertake a further 50 hours of CPD per year (including shadowing other teaching staff, attending standardisation meetings, observing your peers teaching and undertaking staff training). Once you have completed the course you will be a fully qualified teacher in the post-compulsory education and training sector and will be able to apply for QTLS status. You may wish to move on to take a subject specialist qualification in literacy, ESOL or maths, or progress on to an MA in education.
Modules
Over the two years, you will study five core modules which include two teaching practice components and a further 2 optional modules. First-year modules include: 1. Teaching my subject - this core unit will develop your understanding of the curriculum as well as ensuring and maintaining subject expertise. 2. Learners and Learning – this unit will encompass pedagogical theories and give you the opportunity to understand how your learners learn and how you can support them in their own learning development. 3. Teachers and Teaching – what makes a good teacher? In this unit, you will explore how working with and learning from other teachers will develop your own practice. You will learn about the importance of planning and delivering lessons effectively. This unit will also cover the development of resources to meet learners’ needs, especially those with special educational needs. 4. Professional Practice e-portfolio Part One – the purpose of this module is to provide you with the pedagogical experience to develop knowledge, understanding, and skills relating to the planning and delivery of effective teaching, learning, and assessment within the education and training sector. You will undertake microteaches to your peers and be observed teaching in your own organisation. An e-portfolio will be created for you and you will be expected to upload a range of documentary evidence that support your teaching development. A checklist of the contents of your e-portfolio will be provided at the beginning of the course. The second year of the programme encourages you to build on the knowledge gained during year one and explore a wider range of concepts in greater detail. In particular, an emphasis is placed on independent learning and professional enquiry with regards to teaching, learning and assessment within your own specialist area. Modules include: 1. Effective digital and online pedagogies – you will learn how to build up your personal digital skills in order to manage digital delivery of your teaching. As part of this module, you will be expected to undertake several hours of teaching online with your current cohorts. As in Year 1, an e-portfolio will be created for you and you will be expected to upload a range of documentary evidence that support your teaching development. A checklist of the contents of your e-portfolio will be provided at the beginning of Year 2. 2. Professional Practice e-portfolio Part Two – progressing from the understanding and knowledge gained in part one, you are expected to demonstrate further competence in creating and maintaining an inclusive learning environment. During Year 2, there will also be the opportunity to study two optional modules. These will be decided upon nearer the start date.
Assessment method
Assignments vary from essays, written assignments and presentations to practical teaching observations and professional discussions. A strong focus is placed on the practical development of you and your classroom performance.
How to apply
To apply for this course you will be taken to the provider's website, where you can find out more information and make an application.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Leicester College is not a Home Office Student Sponsor and does not accept applications from international students. We can only accept applications from students already resident in the UK. EU / EEA nationals resident in the UK must be able to demonstrate that they have gained either ‘Settled’ or ‘Pre-settled’ status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Other non-UK nationals (apart from Irish nationals) must demonstrate they have valid UK residency / leave to remain in the UK to be considered for admission. Right to study in the UK does not automatically confer Home fee status and you may be required to undertake a fee status assessment to confirm your eligibility for student funding.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
To enrol onto this course you will require the following: 1. GCSE grade C/4 or Functional Skills level 2 in English and maths (international students may be required to attain an IELTS score of 6.5) 2. An undergraduate degree (or higher) 3. Minimum level 3 qualification or significant industrial experience in your specialist area if not covered by your degree*. If you are unsure about this, please contact the team. *Those intending to teach academic subjects would usually be expected to have a degree in their subject specialism. Those intending to teach in professional or vocational areas would usually be expected to have a professional or industry qualification and experience of working in their respective sector. There is a general expectation in the sector that a teacher should be qualified to at least one level above that at which they intend to teach, hold the highest level trade qualification available or have particularly substantial professional experience. 4. Evidence of a minimum of 50 hours per year of independent and practical teaching to groups of learners while studying (these hours can be found after you have been interviewed but you will not be able to start the course without it being in place). 4. Evidence of a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check. Applicants who have been resident overseas for three months or more over the last five years must provide a criminal record check for that country. The Home Office provides guidance on applying for criminal records checks for overseas applicants (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants). You will be required to attend an interview with our admissions tutor where you must evidence that you have the appropriate qualifications/experience for the course and a career in education and training.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Additional entry requirements
Interview
Other
Evidence of a minimum of 50 hours per year of independent and practical teaching to groups of learners while studying (these hours can be found after you have been interviewed but you will not be able to start the course without it being in place). 4. Evidence of a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check. Applicants who have been resident overseas for three months or more over the last five years must provide a criminal record check for that country. The Home Office provides guidance on applying for criminal records checks for overseas applicants (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants).
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 |
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £2900 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £2900 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £2900 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £2900 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
Leicester College
Freemen's Park Campus
Aylestone Road
Leicester
LE2 7LW