Further Education PGCE

London, Bloomsbury

This is the programme information for 2025 entry

If you require details of the previous year's programme, Further Education PGCE (2024), click here

The Further Education PGCE has three specialist routes; Further Education English (Literacy and ESOL) PGCE, Further Education Mathematics and Numeracy PGCE and Further Education (all other subjects) PGCE.

Each route develops effective, confident teachers whose practice is informed by knowledge of educational theory that is carefully tailored to the further education and skills sector.

UK students International students

Study mode

UK tuition fees (2025/26)

£9,250

£4,625

Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)

£27,500

£13,750

Duration

1 academic year

2 academic years

Programme starts

September 2025

Applications accepted

All applicants: 08 Oct 2024 – Closing date to be confirmed

Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Early application is advised as programmes may close as soon as places are filled. Applicants should check the government website for the latest vacancy information.

Apply for this course

Skills

This course will give you everything you need to face the classroom, both the pedagogical theory and the practical skills to be an inspiring teacher.

Support

Our gradual immersion approach will introduce you to the classroom progressively, from one learner to the whole class.

A unique gradual approach to teaching

Experience

Placement in diverse, carefully chosen colleges will allow you to learn from different contexts and be prepared to teach in any FE setting.

Read our placement guide

Start teaching

For those already working in FE, the PGCE is designed to help you reflect on and improve your practice For those new to FE teaching we will provide you with the tools to progress to a fulfilling career in the sector.

IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, has been ranked 1st for Education in the QS World University Rankings by Subject since 2014.

Entry requirements

First degree

A minimum of a lower second-class UK Bachelor’s degree or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

A levels

Not required, but level 3 qualifications are normally expected in your subject specialism.

GCSEs

English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4. We do not accept "applied" or "additional" GCSE subjects. Applicants who do not offer a GCSE in English Language or Mathematics may demonstrate an equivalent standard by completing a test via Equivalency Testing or A Star Equivalency and achieving at least a grade 4. For Mathematics, equivalency tests in Mathematics Foundation or Mathematics Higher with grade 4 are accepted. BTEC, Functional Skills or Access course qualifications are not accepted in place of GCSEs.

School experience

We recommend that you aim to gain some experience of education, particularly in further education (FE) sector settings, prior to interview.

Relevant experience and background

Applicants whose degree qualifications are below a lower second-class standard may be admitted if they can demonstrate an appropriate academic background at Master's level and above and/or significant postgraduate experience in the relevant field.

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

This programme is suitable for international students on a Student visa - study must be full-time, starting September.

DBS and occupational health

If you are made an offer you will be required to successfully complete Occupational Health and Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure checks. The Occupational Health Check is £100 and, depending on your DBS requirements, there may be an additional fee between £12.75 to £25.50, depending on the number of documents checked, if you submit your DBS Enhanced Disclosure check via a UK Post Office. These checks are required to ensure you meet the Department for Education’s requirements for physical and mental health to teach, as well as assessing your suitability for access to children and vulnerable adults. More details can be found on the Entry requirements page.

If you have lived, worked, studied or travelled in any single country outside of the UK for six continuous months or more, in the last five years, you will be required to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct from the relevant country/countries. The cost of this check varies by country and is payable by the student. More information on how to obtain these can be found on gov.uk.

For more information about the DBS application process, please contact the UCL ITE Admissions team.

About this course

The Further Education PGCE has three distinct routes:

Further Education English (Literacy and ESOL) PGCE - a specialist route to teach adult literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).
Further Education Mathematics and Numeracy PGCE - a specialist route to teach mathematics and adult numeracy.
Further Education (all other subjects) PGCE - a route that deals with all other subjects taught in the sector, including GCSE/A Level and vocational/technical qualifications.

All applicants apply to the Further Education PGCE. Applicants should clearly state in their personal statement which route they intend to follow. Applicants applying for Further Education (all other subjects) PGCE should also state the subject(s) they want to teach.

The core elements of the programme, common across all three routes, develop your teaching skills and knowledge of educational theory. All students learn these aspects together as part of the wider Further Education PGCE cohort.

You are also supported to develop your knowledge of subject-specific pedagogy at university in smaller teaching groups that are specific to your route. This subject expertise is developed further through guidance from partner organisations and support from peers.

Who this course is for

The Further Education PGCE at IOE is designed to meet the training needs and qualification requirements of people who are teaching or would like to teach in the Further Education and Skills sector.

The Further Education and Skills sector comprises further education colleges, sixth form colleges, adult education, prison education, charities, community organisations, and independent, work-based providers of learning. This sector is for you if you are interested in any, or all, of the following:

supporting young people in further education into higher education and into employment
leading technical and vocational education
encouraging post-16/adult learners returning to education for another chance
working in non-traditional educational settings
assisting adults with skills and knowledge for life and work.

Read more about the requirements for teacher training

What this course will give you

Our Further Education PGCE qualifications are recognised by the Further Education and Skills sector for employment as a teacher. In addition, the PGCE provides a basis for higher level qualifications, such as Master’s degrees and professional doctorates.

Read more about teacher training at the IOE

The teacher you want to be

Graduates from the programme are employed in a range of Further Education settings including: general FE colleges, sixth form centres, adult education institutions, prison education and training providers. Graduates progress onto Master's and doctoral studies programmes.

The tools of a great educator

Understanding theory and pedagogy
Creating a successful climate for learning
Planning and teaching engaging classes
Using assessment to inform planning

Employability

As well as improving subject-specialist knowledge and expertise in pedagogy and assessment, you will develop a wide range of highly transferable ‘people skills’ which are essential for teachers. These include empathy, patience, active listening, cultural awareness and sensitivity. Through your teaching practice, you will also develop awareness of aspects of workplace life and the norms of professional behaviour around a range of issues such as respect for others, sustainability, equality and diversity, health and safety, rights at work, line-management and appraisal.

Accreditation

The qualification meets the specifications that are regulated by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) for teacher education in the Further Education and Skills sector. The Society for Education and Training (SET) recognise the PGCE for applications to the status of Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS).

Structure

The programme is taught through a mix of face-to-face and online sessions, (including lectures, presentations, discussions, and classroom group tasks), and a practice element based in partner-provider organisations, usually further education colleges or adult education institutes.

Online elements allow partnership working through joint university and partner taught sessions. You will learn about employment in the further education sector, how to plan lessons in your subject that engage learners, how to assess learners, how to manage the learning environment, and how to use theory and research to broaden and improve your professional knowledge and expertise in teaching. You are required to read widely and to carry out written assignments in your own time.

You will be assessed through a range of written assignments, module tasks and formal observations of practical teaching skills.

The Professional Practice module requires the submission of a portfolio which includes a range of assessment types such as the use of presentations, online discussions and formalised reflections. These form evidence of professional experience alongside the observation of teaching practice. There will be a final, oral assessment of your ability to meet the occupational standards of teachers in the sector.

The Learning, Teaching and Assessment module and The Wider Context of Educational Practice module each require a submission of written work. The assignments use evidence from practical experience as the basis for the academic writing thus utilise a range of academic and practical skills.

The normal breakdown of time (1200 hours in total) involves:

180 hours of university-directed contact (face-to-face and online)
250 hours in placement of which at least 150 hours are teaching (including 20 hours online synchronous teaching)
770 hours of self-directed study

For full-time students, university sessions run Wednesday 9.00am - 12.30pm online and Thursday 10.00am - 5.00pm at UCL on a weekly basis.

For part-time year one students, university sessions run Wednesday 9.00am - 10.30am online and Thursday 10.00am - 12.30pm at UCL on a weekly basis.

For part-time year two students, university sessions run Wednesday 11.00am - 12.30pm online and Thursday 1.30pm - 5.00pm at UCL on a weekly basis.

During college placements, you will be expected to attend according to the college’s policy. This will typically involve attending at least 30 minutes before the start of the college day and leaving at least 30 minutes after the college day ends. You will have readings and additional self-directed study to complete in addition to these contact hours.

At the heart of this PGCE, I learnt to become more reflective in my teaching - a life-long skill essential for every teaching practitioner.

Bandini Shah

Further Education PGCE

Q&A with Bandini Shah

Modules

Full-time students will undertake three modules in one academic year. Two 30-credit modules plus a professional practice module that must be successfully completed. The professional practice module will include evidence of at least 250 hours of professional experience in more than one location. This will include:

at least 150 hours of teaching practice with at least 20 hours online synchronous teaching;
at least 10 formal observations of teaching practice.

Part-time students will undertake three modules over two academic years. Students will take one 30-credit module in each year with a professional practice module that is spread across the two years. The professional practice module will include evidence of at least 250 hours of professional experience in more than one location. This will include:

at least 150 hours of teaching practice with at least 20 hours online synchronous teaching;
at least 10 formal observations of teaching practice.

Compulsory modules

Learning, teaching and assessment

The wider context of educational practice

Professional Practice

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Upon successful completion of 60 credits and the Professional Practice module, you will be awarded a PGCE in Further Education.

College placements

All students on this programme will undertake teaching practice placements and your development as a teacher will be assessed as part of the course. You will be in placement for a minimum of 250 hours (at a minimum of two institutions). You will teach at least 150 hours (of which 20 hours will be online teaching) and experience other aspects of a teacher's job. You will work with subject-specialist mentors who support you through your teaching experience. We are fortunate to work with a range of providers, as well as some experienced mentors, in the field of further education teaching.

We ensure your placement will provide fulfilling and valuable experiences through:

A dedicated team who will identify the best colleges for your placements
Support and guidance from your university tutor and your college-based mentor
College experience that allows you to progress at an appropriate pace for you
Reasonable travel times from your home to your college placement

Making the most of your placement

We know facing a classroom and managing your times as a teacher can be intimidating, as well as needing careful planning to be practical and work out with your personal life.

That's why we will support you all the way through, as well as helping your work out the best options for this key moment in your life.

Teaching is a demanding profession and student teachers can feel nervous about college placements or anxious about the workload. Your tutor and college-based mentor will help you navigate your placement experience, ensuring that you have the input you need. Empathetic feedback and discussion about your developing professional practice will support you to be successful.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Where you'll study

IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, is a world-leading centre for research and teaching in education, culture, psychology, and social science. We are one of the UK’s largest teacher training providers, offering a wide range of programmes across all phases of learning and more subjects than any other university. We also offer an extensive range of master’s programmes. Our research addresses society’s most important challenges and feeds into our teaching, enabling our graduates to go on to influence future generations for the better, from individual lives to societal change.

Find out more about IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students

Fee description	Full-time	Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26)	£9,250	£4,625
Tuition fees (2025/26)	£27,500	£13,750

Routes include:
Mathematics and Numeracy (TEPPCFSEMN02)
English (Literacy and ESOL) (TEPPCFSFEE02)

Additional costs

You are responsible for covering the costs of travel to and from placements (these are typically located within the M25) and travel costs for visits organised by the course.

The cost per day, as of July 2024, if you are using Oyster pay as you go varies between £8.50 (zones 1 and 2 only) and £22.30 (zones 1 to 9) based on current prices. Costs can be reduced by purchasing a weekly or monthly travelcard as well as applying for an Oyster Student photocard which allows up to 30% off travel when purchasing a travelcard.

You also require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check plus an Occupational Health check prior to beginning the course. Information about costs is available on our entry requirements page for teacher training courses.

You are not expected to provide your own teaching resources which are expected to be provided by placement partners.

The Financial Assistance Funds provide support to UCL students who are in unexpected financial need.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the UCL Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

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