Education in Further Education - PGCE

This course is a follow-on programme for those who have successfully completed the Certificate in Teaching. For acceptance onto the course students must meet the entry requirements as set out and must liaise with their employer in order to provide evidence that they are employed in an FE College or in the work based learning sector.

Year One

Action Research in the Classroom

Quality Innovation and Change

To be eligible to apply all applicants should normally:



- provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English and Maths (GCSE grade C or equivalent). See DEL circular FE12/09 Annex A;



- have completed the Certificate in Teaching (CIT) from the University of Ulster or have successfully completed the Diploma in the Teaching and Management of Adult Literacy or Numeracy from Queen's University Belfast.

You must submit your Diploma to claim this exemption. Please note that it is only the Diploma and not the Certificate which can be used to progress straight to the PGCE (FE) programme.



- meet the general education requirements and experience requirements as outlined in Annex A DEL Circular FE12/09 issued November 2009. (Qualifications required to teach in further education)



- be currently in paid employment as a full or part time teacher in an FE College or the work based learning sector for at least 8 hours per week over one full academic year (Oct – May) with full teaching responsibility for a group of at least 6-8 learners. You will need a statement from your employer stating that you meet this criterion. Unfortunately one-to-one teaching is not acceptable.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Attendance

Days and times to be confirmed but will normally include one three-hour block of classes per week on Thursdays.

Start Date: September 2025.

Career options

This is an in-service course and you must be employed to undertake this programme.