Lifelong Learning (In-Service/Pre-Service) (PGCE)

If you’re looking to progress into a career teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector, including sixth form and further education colleges, adult education and a wide range of other training and educational settings, then this course could be ideal for you. We welcome applicants with industrial skills and/or relevant academic qualifications and a passion for teaching and training others.

The Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Lifelong Learning is a qualification for those wanting to be a Lifelong Learning teacher, who hold a degree or a Master’s Degree. If you’re hoping to go into teaching within sixth forms or further education colleges, or you see yourself taking up a career in adult education or informal education roles, then this course could be ideal. It’s focused on training to teach within the Lifelong Learning (post 16) sector comprising of offender learning, further education, adult education, training organisations and adult community learning to name just a few. You don’t need previous teaching experience, just an industry skill, an appropriate entry qualification and a passion for teaching and training others. Grade requirements… • UK degree (normally 2:2 or above) or equivalent related to your specialist area • If you do not have at least Level 2 English and maths (GCSEs grades 9-4 or A*-C) qualifications you will be required to achieve these alongside the teaching course. • You must be willing to undergo Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance. • A successful interview will be required. • If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent will be considered acceptable.

Desirable: If you do not already have any previous experience of teaching you will be required to undertake the Level 3 Award in Education and Training (or equivalent) qualification prior to the start of the course. We offer an intensive course to meet this requirement.

Pre-Service candidates Placements are available within the Bedford College Group on the Pre-Service route.

In-Service candidates You should normally be in employment as a teacher or trainer at a recognised training or educational establishment for a minimum of 100 hours throughout the course. Voluntary teaching/training may be acceptable in some circumstances.

The (PGCE) is a University of Huddersfield (UoH) Award and is delivered at the Bedford College Group. The course allows a person to apply for QTLS (Qualified Teacher in Learning and Skills) which is the main requirement to teach in Lifelong Learning. QTLS is given for those wanting to teach learners aged over 16 years of age and is awarded by the Society for Education and Training (SET). This is different to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) which those wishing to teach in schools work towards.

Course progression: Upon successful completion of this course, you’ll be eligible to proceed, following a process of professional formation through the Society for Education and Training to gain Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status. This is the full professional status for teachers in the Lifelong Learning sector. This accreditation is reviewed on a regular basis.

Career progression: On successful completion you will be qualified to practice as a teacher, or trainer in the Lifelong Learning sector.

The course leads to QTLS (Qualified Teacher for Learning and Skills). QTLS can now be transferred to QTS and this could be a route for teachers wanting to teach in Secondary Education (Schools).