Course Overview

The PGCE PCET is for graduates who want to teach their degree subject or any subject for which they have at least a level 3 qualification in. They should also be teaching or actively seeking teaching in the post-compulsory sector of education and training. Students do not need GCSE Maths or English to apply for this course.

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods appropriate to the PGCE and PCE programme levels will be used throughout the programme and may include: Written assessments (WRIT) such as reports, self-reflections, analytical documents, case studies, online blogs, peer assessments, essays; Presentations (PRES) and Microteaching sessions which may be individual and/or group; seminar; (non)-interactive; with audience; Practicals (PRAC) such as individual and/or group; coaching; mentoring; performance; Portfolio (PORT) that includes a collection of evidence, frequently including a contextual statement; poster; website; Placements (PLAC) such as a fieldwork placement; school placement; experiencing the world of work. The programme is formally assessed through module assignments and the supervised teaching experience to include 130 hours of direct teaching over the two years. Students will undertake four observed teaching hours in Year 1 and four in Year 2. Each of these will require written preparation and also a self-evaluation report following the observation.

Employability & Careers

The PCGE will qualify you to teach in Further and Higher Education, youth, adult and community education, 14- 19 sector, work-based education, training in HM Forces, prison education, industry and commercial training departments. Students who have completed this course have gone on to part or full-time teaching in the post compulsory sector of education and training, usually teaching their subject and other subject related areas. All graduates leaving the course are signposted to Cardiff County Council and Cardiff Met's Widening Access department as potential adult education tutors for outreach and summer school activities. Some students are offered teaching opportunities by their mentor once they have graduated and networking with peers can also be useful in terms of future teaching opportunities.

Progression Routes

Graduates completing the PGCE (PCET) will gain 120 credits at levels 4, 5 and 6. Students can then progress onto Masters programmes within their particular subject area e.g MA CPD Framework at Cardiff Met.