Further Education and Skills PGCE
About this course
The Further Education and Skills sector plays a vital role in supporting diverse learners and can have a profound impact on the lives of students. This PGCE in Further Education and Skills will prepare you for a career in the sector by focusing on work-based learning in the local community. You’ll embark on a journey of self-discovery as you develop your professional identity as an educator – giving you the confidence you need to shape learning, teaching and education.
Studying with NTU, you’ll cover key educational theories and get to grips with curriculum design and planning. You’ll gain the skills and hands-on experience to become a resilient and accomplished practitioner.
The full-time course is designed for you if you are aspiring to work in a Further Education setting. We’ll provide you with an exciting and rewarding placement opportunity where you’ll give real-life context to your learning as you carry out teaching practice alongside your studies.
The part-time course is suitable for you if you are already employed in the sector and would like to gain the qualification alongside your employment.
Why study this course?
-
Work-based learning opportunities are embedded throughout the course through our partnerships with local settings. -
Designed to align with the Institute for Apprenticeship and Technical Education’s Occupational Standards. -
Highly qualified tutors who are experts in further education teaching. -
Collaborative programme encouraging you to explore research-informed practice in the sector.
What you’ll study
This course is delivered on a full-time and part-time basis. For the full-time course, we will organise you a placement. For the part-time course, you will need to be in a teaching role.
This is a work-based course where you’ll carry out teaching practice alongside university sessions.
Students are assessed on both coursework and their teaching practice. The focus of assessments is determined by the student's own practice and subject specialism.
Key Educational Theories (20 credit points)
- This module will introduce you to key educational theory.
- You’ll interpret a range of expert advice to promote learner progress and wellbeing and enhance your own practice.
Sequencing Learning (40 credit points)
- As part of this module, you’ll create a scheme of work or a sequence of lessons in your subject specialism.
- The module is aligned to the placement/ work-based practice.
Portfolio (60 credit points)
- Over the duration of the course, you'll compile a portfolio of professional development.
- You will complete reflective activities, undertake lesson observations and extensively evidence your progression.
This is a work-based course that will promote putting learning theories and strategies into your own practice. You will have a part time or full-time teaching role, with a minimum of 75 teaching hours each year of the two-year programme. You will attend university one evening a week.
Students are assessed on both coursework and their teaching practice. The focus of assessments is determined by the student's own practice and subject specialism.
Key Educational Theories (20 credit points)
- This module will introduce you to key educational theory.
- You’ll interpret a range of expert advice to promote learner progress and wellbeing and enhance your own practice.
Sequencing Learning (40 credit points)
- As part of this module, you’ll create a scheme of work or a sequence of lessons in your subject specialism.
- The module is aligned to the placement/ work-based practice.
Portfolio (60 credit points)
- Over the duration of the course, you'll compile a portfolio of professional development.
- You will complete reflective activities, undertake lesson observations and extensively evidence your progression.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
Q&A - PGCE Further Education and Skills
How you're taught
Placement
Full-time
NTU will provide you with a suitable placement, which will form a key element of this work-based course.
You'll spend a minimum of 250 hours in placement carrying out teaching and the wider responsibilities of an educator. This will include a minimum of 150 hours of teaching and 10 formal observations of your teaching.
Of the 150 teaching hours, at least 100 hours will be in your specialist subject area. You will also gain valuable experience of remote, synchronous delivery. You will also spend at least 20 hours in another placement location. This will allow you to expand the breadth of your experience and will most likely entail shadowing, observations and CPD to give you a sense of the approach to teaching and learning in another Further Education setting.
Part-time
You will need to be employed in a role that will allow you to have access to a minimum of 150 teaching hours for the duration of the two-year programme. You will need to participate in a full educator's role (i.e. assessment, planning, delivery, pastoral role). There will be 10 formal observations of teaching.
Of the 150 teaching hours, at least 100 hours will be in your specialist subject area. You will also gain valuable experience of remote, synchronous delivery. You will also spend at least 20 hours in another placement location. This will allow you to expand the breadth of your experience and will most likely entail shadowing, observations and CPD to give you a sense of the approach to teaching and learning in another Further Education setting.
How you're assessed
The assessment strategy for the course is mapped to the occupational standards for the learning and skills teacher, providing you with the opportunity to meet the expected standard of a trainee educator in the FE sector.
This course is assessed solely through coursework with assessment methods including:
- Journal based on key educational theories and the application of these to teaching of subject specialism and placement context.
- Poster defence of a scheme of work which demonstrates understanding of curriculum design and planning.
- Portfolio of evidence of teaching practice including formal teaching observations and evidence of collaborative practice and your wider experiences on placement.
Careers and employability
The PGCE Further Education and Skills course prepares you for a career teaching in the Further Education and Skills sector.
As well as roles based in further education colleges, sixth form centres, alternative provision, independent learning providers, you may also consider working in prison education or community centres.
The qualification can lead to a range of diverse and rewarding employment opportunities, such as:
- Lecturer
- Tutor
- Instructor
- Assessor
- Teaching Assistant
- Support Worker
- Careers Advisor
- Learning Mentor
- Achievement Coach.
Upon completion of this course, you will be eligible to apply for Qualified Teacher (Learning & Skills) through the Society for Education & Training (SET). This is awarded following a period of professional formation post completion of the qualification and is valued by employers.
If you’d like to know more about NTU’s groundbreaking Employability Promise, and the support you’ll receive both during and after your course, visit our Careers and Employability page.
Campus and facilities
As a Further Education and Skills student you’ll mainly be studying in the Ada Byron King building, home to Nottingham Institute of Education. You will benefit from our specially designed teaching rooms simulating classrooms for subjects such as music and science. These purpose-built classrooms will help prepare you for a future in teaching, giving you the chance to gain hands-on experience in a realistic environment.
Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep our students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your coursemates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!
You’re also right next to the bright lights of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. All through termtime, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you to the heart of the action (and back) in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
Take our virtual tour to get a real feel for the campus.
Entry requirements
For the PGCE:
- A UK honours degree, at a minimum Third Class;
- If your degree is in a subject other than your intended subject specialism, an A-level at grade C or equivalent in your intended subject specialism would be required.
Other requirements:
Full-time course
- an interview
- an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and any other safeguarding checks that may be necessary; and
- GCSE English and Mathematics at minimum grade C / 4 or equivalent; and
- two academic or vocational references
- basic knowledge of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is an advantage.
Part-time course
- be currently employed in role that will allow you access to 75 hours of teaching per year; and
- an interview
- an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and any other safeguarding checks that may be necessary; and
- GCSE English and Mathematics at minimum grade C / 4 or equivalent; and
- two academic or vocational references
- basic knowledge of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is an advantage.
NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.
All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
For the PGCE:
- A UK honours degree, at a minimum Third Class;
- If your degree is in a subject other than your intended subject specialism, an A-level at grade C or equivalent in your intended subject specialism would be required.
Other requirements:
Full-time course
- an interview
- an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and any other safeguarding checks that may be necessary; and
- GCSE English and Mathematics at minimum grade C / 4 or equivalent; and
- two academic or vocational references
- basic knowledge of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is an advantage.
Part-time course
- be currently employed in role that will allow you access to 75 hours of teaching per year; and
- an interview
- an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and any other safeguarding checks that may be necessary; and
- GCSE English and Mathematics at minimum grade C / 4 or equivalent; and
- two academic or vocational references
- basic knowledge of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is an advantage.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Postgraduate preparation courses (Pre-Masters)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Pre-Masters courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Fees for September 2025:
| Course | Home (UK students) |
|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,535 |
| Part-time | £4767.50 for Year One |
Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
Home students can apply for a student loan for tuition and maintenance fees. In addition students may be eligible for maintenance or special support grants or a bursary of up to £31,000 for training to teach eligible Further Education subjects.
Fees for September 2025:
| Course | International/ EU students |
|---|---|
| Full-time | £17,850 |
| Part-time | £8,925 for Year One |
Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
Fees and financial support
Find out what financial support may be available to you as a non-UK trainee teacher.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
How to apply
Application Dates
To join this course in 2025, applications must be made before the end of August 2025. Any application made after the end of August 2025 or an applicant who has not provided the necessary information before the last interviews will be considered for entry in 2026 only.
To ensure you have a place on the course we recommend you apply as soon as possible.
How to apply
This course is offered at two award levels. You apply for either the PGCE or CertEd depending on your qualifications. You do not need to make multiple applications if you'd like to complete more than one pathway. Please apply to your preferred pathway and mention within the personal statement the pathways you'd like to complete.
Ready to join us? Just click the Apply now button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
This course is also offered as a Cert Ed. Visit the course page to find out more.
Writing your application
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieved, as well as a personal statement.
Keeping up to date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please contact us at Ask NTU or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
Please read our notes on the University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.
Application Dates
To join this course in 2025, international applications must be made before the end of July 2025 in order to complete all the necessary requirements in relation to visas.
To ensure you have a place on the course we recommend you apply as soon as possible.
How to apply
Apply online through our NTU applicant portal.
This course is also offered as a Cert Ed. Visit the course page to find out more.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.
