Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

1.1

Postgraduate Certificates in Education are awarded to students who have demonstrated:

• a systematic understanding of pedagogy and subject knowledge as required to be an effective teacher;
• a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own classroom practice or advanced scholarship;
• met the Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership as published by the Education Workforce Council for Wales to be recommended by Swansea University for Qualified Teaching Status (QTS);
• originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline.

1.2

Holders of a Postgraduate Certificate in Education will as a professional teaching practitioner be able to:

• ensure their teaching provides opportunities for all pupils to learn;
• deal with complex issues to support child wellbeing both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences;
• demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problem in a school setting and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level;
• continue to advance their knowledge and understanding of their subject area and Area of Learning Experience (AoLE), and to develop new skills to a high level.

1.3

Holders of a Postgraduate Certificate in Education will have the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring:

• the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility;
• decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations;
• independent learning ability for continuing professional development.

2.1

Applicants must meet the entry selection criteria for becoming a Qualified Teacher, as required by the Education Workforce Council for Wales and must also meet any other conditions specified by the University.

2.2

Applicants for the PGCE in both primary and secondary education are required to have achieved the following prior to admission to the programme:

• An honours degree at a minimum of 2:2 in a relevant subject, or a related subject, normally with at least 50% relevant subject content. For example, a student pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering will have sufficient mathematics subject knowledge to be admitted to the PGCE programme in mathematics. Such decisions will be made on a case by case basis following a review of the programme documentation associated with their award;
• This review will also consider previous A Level qualifications;
• Grade B GCSE in Mathematics;
• Grade B GCSE in English Language or Literature;

2.3

Applicants for the PGCE in primary education are required to have achieved the following prior to admission to the programme:

• An honours degree at a minimum of 2:2;
• Grade B GCSE in Mathematics;
• Grade B GCSE in English Language or Literature;
• Grade C GCSE in Science

2.4

The following also applies to applicants for the PGCE in both primary and secondary education programmes:

• Student teachers applying for the Welsh medium programmes will be required to have a grade B GCSE in Welsh (as a first language);
• Applicants with a grade C in GCSE English Language or Literature, Welsh or Mathematics who meet other entry criteria may be accepted for entry if they have successfully completed an equivalency test as is common practice in the sector *;
• Meet the requirements of the Education Health Standards (Wales) in relation to their health and physical capacity to teach;
• Undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. Applicants must not have been excluded from teaching or working with children nor be registered with the Disclosure and Barring Service as unfit for working with children or young persons;
• Confirm that they do not have a record, criminal or otherwise, that prevents them from being students and/or trainee teachers.

* Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, intake the Welsh Government will allow students that require an equivalency test in Mathematics and/or English/Welsh the opportunity to take such tests within the duration of programme delivery. Failure to meet the required equivalency levels by the end of the programme will result in the student teacher not being recommended for Qualified Teacher Status, irrespective of the programme outcome.

2.5

As part of the admissions process all applicants will be required to have a face-to-face interview and must demonstrate the personal and intellectual qualities, attitudes and values required for teaching.

2.6

A transfer of credits and accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) is not permitted and will not be considered as part of the admission process.

3.1

Student teachers may qualify for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate in Education upon successful completion of an approved modular programme of study.

3.2

All Student teachers shall be required to pursue 60 credits at Level 6 and 60 credits at Level 7.

3.3

Student teachers must satisfy the Examination Board that they have developed the Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership expected of newly qualified teachers as specified by the Education Workforce Council for Wales. To demonstrate they have met the Standards the student teachers must complete successfully all elements of the programme. That is, attain 60 credits at Level 6 and 60 credits at Level 7.

3.4

Learning outcomes are provided in the Programme Specification for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education programme.

3.5

The teaching pattern will incorporate a minimum of 60 days in a University setting and 120 days in a school setting, the latter as part of professional practice placements.

4.1

Student teachers shall be required to complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Education in accordance with the Assessment Regulations for Postgraduate Certificate in Education. These regulations are published as part of the University Academic Regulations.

4.2

The examination for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Secondary) shall consist of continuous assessment for two credit bearing modules, one at level 6 (60 credits) and one at level 7 (60 credits).

4.3

The examination for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) shall consist of continuous assessment for three credit bearing modules, one at level 6 (60 credits) and two at level 7 (30 credits each).

4.4

When on professional practice placements, student teachers will be observed and are required to submit a portfolio of work to demonstrate their achievement against the Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership as expected of newly qualified teachers as specified by the Education Workforce Council for Wales.

5.1

The maximum period of candidature for student teachers pursuing the full time Postgraduate Certificate in Education shall normally not be more than 12 months from the start of the programme with a minimum of 60 days in a University setting and 120 days in a school setting.

5.2

The maximum period of candidature may be extended if there are extenuating circumstances described in regulation 7 below but an extension of more than 12 months from the date of the final meeting of the University Progression and Awards Board will not be permitted.

6.1

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education programme of study time-limits, as set out in the specific regulations Section 6, may be extended, but in exceptional cases only and in accordance with the following criteria:

• Normally, extensions will be granted only on compassionate grounds, or in cases of illness, serious domestic difficulties or exceptional professional commitments which can be demonstrated to have adversely affected the candidate. A full and reasoned case, supported by a work plan, appropriate medical or other independent evidence must be submitted by the Faculty/School to Academic Services for consideration. Such cases will be processed administratively on behalf of the Academic Regulations and Cases Board.
• In cases which arise as a result of illness, satisfactory medical evidence; including a medical certificate, must be supplied (the extent and nature of the illness as described in the certificate will be referred to in assessing the case.) The University shall respect the confidentiality of any evidence submitted;
• When individual circumstances do not allow the student teacher to complete the required 120 days in a professional practice setting they will be required to suspend studies and restart at an approved time that allows for programme completion in the following year.

6.2

Applications for extensions must be made through the Programme Director to Academic Services and the case will be considered administratively on behalf of the Academic Regulations and Cases Board.

6.3

As part of the request for the extension, a clear statement must be supplied showing that the Faculty/School concerned has evaluated the situation in which the candidate finds themself as a result of the illness and that it considers the requested extension to be appropriate. Such a statement will, wherever possible, follow direct contact between candidate and Faculty/School.

7.1

In order to be eligible for consideration for the award of the PGCE from Swansea University, student teachers shall have:

• Pursued and passed all elements of the programme outlined in regulation 3;
• Fulfilled any further condition(s) required by the Faculty/School or University;
• Demonstrated their achievement against the Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership expected of newly qualified teachers as specified by the Education Workforce Council for Wales.

7.2

A candidate successfully completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education shall be eligible for the award of Pass/Merit/Distinction as follows:

Postgraduate Certificate in Education

• Passed 60 credits at Level 7 at Swansea
• Attained an overall average mark for Level 7 modules of not less than 50% and not more than 59.99%

Postgraduate Certificate in Education with Merit

• Passed 60 credits at Level 7 at Swansea
• Attained an overall average mark for Level 7 modules of not less than 60% and not more than 69.99%

Postgraduate Certificate in Education with Distinction

• Passed 60 credits at Level 7 at Swansea
• Attained an overall average mark for Level 7 modules of 70% or more

8.1   

Student teachers pursuing the Postgraduate Certificate in Education may be eligible for a postgraduate certificate in higher education where 60 credits with a 50% or more average at Level 7 have been awarded and Qualified Teacher Status has not been awarded by the Examination Board.

9.1

In order to be eligible to be recommended by Swansea University for Qualified Teaching Status (QTS) to the Education Workforce Council for Wales, student teachers shall have:

• Pursued and passed all elements of the PGCE programme;
• Met the Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership required for recommendation of QTS;
• Completed the required 120 days in a professional practice setting;
• Met the required equivalency levels in Mathematics and/or English/Welsh.

9.2

Registration for Qualified Teacher Status can only be confirmed by the Education Workforce Council for Wales.

1.1

The pass mark for all Level 7 modules shall be 50%.

1.2

Level 6 modules will be passed or failed.

1.3

To be considered for the award of a PGCE, student teachers will have pursued and passed all modules of the programme.

1.4

If a student has pursued all modules of the programme and has passed the Level 6 professional placement module but has not passed the Level 7 module then the University Progression and Awards Board could:

• Provide the student with an opportunity to resubmit work for the Level 7 modules (which will be capped at 50%) within the same academic year.
• Provide the student with an opportunity to resubmit work for the Level 7 modules (which will be capped at 50%) within the following academic year.
• Provide the student with an opportunity to re-sit the entire programme in the following academic year with the mark capped at 50% for the Level 7 modules.
• For work that is resubmitted within the same academic year the outcome will be considered at an Extraordinary Examination Board to allow confirmation of marks in time for a school September start date for Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs). The Extraordinary Examination Board will be scheduled to take place at the earliest opportunity following resubmission of work.

1.5

If a student has pursued all modules of the programme and has passed the Level 7 module(s), but has not passed the Level 6 professional placement module then the University Progression and Awards Board could:

• Offer an extended placement in the current academic year.
• Offer the opportunity to repeat the failed practice placement in part or full in the following academic year.
• Offer the exit award of a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PG Cert HE).
• Student teacher preference following failure of professional practice placement will be confirmed at the Extraordinary Examination Board.
• Student teachers deemed to be making insufficient progress whilst on professional practice placement will be subject to the ITE Support and Intervention policy and procedures.

1.6

Failure to submit work or redeem a failed Level 7 module by the specified date shall result in a mark of 0% being recorded for the module. The best mark for the module will be recorded as the final mark.

1.7

In exceptional circumstances and in accordance with the University’s , student teachers who fail to redeem their Level 7 module(s) during the re-sit period because of extenuating circumstances or who fail a module at the first opportunity during the re-sit period (i.e. as a deferral) may submit evidence of such circumstances to their Faculty/School for consideration. At the discretion of the University Progression and Awards Board, such student teachers may be permitted one further opportunity to re-sit. The reassessment(s) shall normally take place at the next assessment(s) point for the modules at the next opportunity but within the maximum period of candidature.

1.8

Failure of a Level 7 module at the second attempt shall result in the Faculty/School recommending to the University Progression and Awards Board that the candidate be required to withdraw from the University.

1.9

Student teachers may not re-sit any Level 7 module or unit of assessment for which a pass mark has been attained previously.

1.10

Student teachers who are required to withdraw from the University shall be given the opportunity to appeal against this decision through the Swansea University Accuracy of Published Marks procedures or Academic Appeals procedures.

1.11

Student teachers successfully completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education shall be eligible for the award where they have passed all modules and have attained an overall average mark of not less than 50% and not more than 59.99% for the award in question.

1.12

Student teachers successfully completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education shall be eligible for the award of Merit where they have passed all modules and have attained an overall average mark of not less than 60% and not more than 69.99% for the award in question.

1.13

Student teachers successfully completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education shall be eligible for the award of Distinction where they have passed all modules and have attained an overall mark of 70% for the award in question.

1.14

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is awarded by The Education Workforce Council (Wales) on the recommendation of the University. To be recommended for QTS student teachers must pass the PGCE programme and in doing so must achieve the standards specified in the document 'Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership (Wales) 2017' and its supplementary guidelines. They must have also met the required equivalency levels in Mathematics and/or English/Welsh.

1.15

Student teachers on professional practice placements that are not achieving competencies or are practising at a level not commensurate with expectations to meet the Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership will be dealt with according to the PGCE ‘Support and Intervention’ Policy.

1.16

Concerns about a student teacher’s suitability to teach will be considered using the University Fitness to Practise Procedure.

1.17

The University’s regulations, policies and procedures for Initial Teacher Education are aligned the accreditation requirements for the Education Workforce Council for Wales and with the requirements of the Quality Code published by the Quality Assurance Agency which is the body that monitors and advises institutions on standards and quality.