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The Certificate in Education (Lifelong Learning), Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (Lifelong Learning) and Post-Graduate Certificate in Education are professional qualifications for people teaching in further education colleges, adult education and a wide range of other training and educational settings in the lifelong learning sector.

If you are currently teaching young people or adults these courses help you to develop your teaching skills, reflect on current ideas about education and training, and to explore creatively the professional opportunities open to you.

Most of the course is focused on practical teaching.

You will gain experience of learning and teaching alongside other professionals, with support from tutors, as a vehicle for your development.

Practical experience allows you to gain competence in planning teaching and learning, and in working with learners both in formal classrooms and in student-centred learning situations.

During the course you undertake project work, such as developing new course materials.

Academic work includes critically examining creativity in teaching, quality assurance and professional issues.

Modules allow you to explore particular areas of interest and you will also be expected to complete a subject specialist module, requiring some attendance at the University in Year 2. You will be informed of the exact dates during Year 1.

There are two awards available:-

• Graduates normally work towards a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), or, if appropriate a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma with some modules at Master’s level.
• Those with other appropriate qualifications may work towards a Certificate in Education (CertEd).

The structure of the programme is the same for both routes and participants on each work together for much of the course.

Both qualifications are structured around four 30 credit modules (two in each year) which are based on different aspects of teachers’ work such as designing learning materials, assessing students, and evaluating learning and teaching.

You will study four modules as part of this course. These are:

• Research Informed Teaching, Learning and Assessment.  This module aims to develop your understanding of how people learn in the Lifelong Learning Sector and of the role of assessment in enabling learning and achievement. It introduces theories and principles of learning and assessment and develops your ability to apply research evidence in designing effective learning and assessment strategies and materials. It seeks to develop positive approaches to the management of group and individual behaviours and promotes an inclusive approach to teaching, learning and assessment. It introduces the role of key transferable skills and the ways in which people learn English, Maths and digital skills. The module is assessed by means of a practical micro-teaching assignment and the design of an intervention, strategy, activity or resource, underpinned by an understanding of key principles of teaching, learning and assessment.
• Becoming a subject specialist tutor
  The module reviews your practice as a trainee teacher. It explores your teaching values, knowledge of your subject specialism, and your knowledge and understanding of how you're learning to teach. You'll have the opportunity to learn how to identify and respond to students’ needs, and how to use suitable teaching, learning and assessment strategies to develop inclusive teaching and learning environments. You'll have the chance to evaluate your teaching effectiveness and develop as a reflective practitioner as well as engage in personal and professional development planning, against the appropriate Professional Standards, to recognise and develop relevant subject specialist knowledge, behaviours and skills. This will include further development of English, Maths and digital skills for you and your students
• Being a subject specialist tutor. This module builds on previous generic and subject specialist development in two ways. Firstly, it contributes to your development of more advanced strategies and methods for promoting learning and, secondly, it involves a focus on specific specialist areas and the critical analysis subject specialist pedagogy. The module seeks to enhance your ability to reflect critically on, and to evaluate, teaching and learning; by recognising particular curriculum and professional challenges; and by enabling you to develop critical responses to these concerns in sophisticated, innovative and creative ways. Key learning activities of the module are practical teaching experience and the engagement with other specialists through collaborative practice. The module is assessed through a Teaching Portfolio and a Conference Paper dealing with teaching and learning in the specialist subject
• Curriculum and Context - This module will develop your critical understanding of policy and issues relating to curriculum development in lifelong learning. You will explore the impact of policy on curriculum development and draw on appropriate evidence to evaluate curriculum practice and discuss possible improvements. The module will cover the internal and external factors that drive curriculum change and consider key contemporary issues in lifelong learning that impact upon curriculum development and design. It aims to engage trainees in critical reflection on the policy and practice of education and training for lifelong learners. The module promotes an analytical and reflexive understanding of the factors that inform curriculum development and delivery in lifelong learning provision.

Academic credit is gained by undertaking assignments and providing evidence of achievement. This allows you to explore topics that are of interest to you, relevant to your working environment, and to your career development.

Observations of your teaching will be conducted by tutors and mentors (four per year) who will assess your skills and give feedback.

You should normally be in employment as a teacher or trainer at a recognised training or educational establishment for a minimum of 250 hours (at least 125 hours in any one year). Voluntary teaching/training may be acceptable in some circumstances (please check with your local centre).

• UK first degree (normally 2:2 or above) or equivalent related to your specialist area
• At least a Level 3 or equivalent related to your specialist area
• Level 2 Maths and English
• Relevant work experience in some specialist subject areas

In addition you must also:

• Provide confirmation of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Provide one satisfactory reference
• Complete a satisfactory interview
• Identify a work-based mentor who can support you in your subject specialism

If you already hold a teaching qualification at level 4 or above or have substantial knowledge and experience of teaching you may be able to make a claim for accreditation of prior learning.

The course is particularly suitable if you have work experience and/or qualifications in industry, including business and administration, hair and beauty, health and social care, public services or construction, engineering and many other vocational areas.

The attendance requirement for tutor-led group sessions is three hours per week, this is usually one evening but we also offer daytime classes if there is enough demand.

2024/25 fees:

£TBC

Those who complete the Certificate in Education could proceed to the BA/BA (Hons) in Education and Professional Development.  Those who complete the PGCE may wish to progress to a Masters degree.