Intro

Our Further Education and Teaching PGCE provides a formal teaching qualification for those wishing to work in the further education sector. The sector offers diverse teaching environments and a wide range of subject specialisms. 

As well as gaining a PGCE, there is an opportunity to apply for Qualified Teaching and Learning Skill status (QTLS) once you have successfully completed the course and are in full-time employment.

Our Further Education and Training PGCE graduates trainees benefit from excellent employment rates and most gain their first teaching post soon after they qualify.

At Brighton you’ll train to teach with an Ofsted ‘outstanding’ provider and be educated by an expert team who have their own successful experience as further education practitioners.

You’ll gain practical experience in one or more settings for most of the year, where you will teach for around six hours a week. We’ll make sure you are fully prepared and supported to make the most of your time on placement.

At university you’ll have access to over 30,000 specialist resources including books, DVDs, games and an online catalogue in our curriculum centre.

The programme is delivered both part-time and full-time through a partnership stretching across East Sussex, West Sussex and Surrey – further details can be found in the course content section.

Brighton is one of the UKs largest teacher training universities and has been educating teachers and leaders for over 100 years.

You could be eligible for a bursary of up to £29,000 if you start a further education initial teacher education course in 2023.

Find out about postgraduate events

Key facts

Location Brighton: Falmer

Full-time 1 year

Interviews for this course are taking place online

interview advice sessions

Get top tips for your interview at one of our online teaching interview advice sessions.

Apply online

Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Apply now for your place

Course content

Course structure

This course is delivered through taught sessions at the Falmer campus and on placement in a further education setting.

Taught sessions at the university normally take place on a Wednesday where you will build on and enhance your strengths. Sessions include seminars and tutorials, self-directed study, peer-teaching sessions, practical workshops, shared expertise sessions with leading practitioners, and reflexive learning.

You will spend two days a week teaching, under supervision, in one of our local partnerships which include further education colleges, sixth form colleges, a land-based college (Plumpton) as well as Lewes Prison, DV8 and the Connected Hub.

Our tutors and mentors will advise and support you throughout your placement. You will receive comprehensive feedback during this time which will enable you to see what you are doing well and where you might need to improve.

student and teacher in college setting looking at laptop

Areas of study

This course is made up of six modules all comprising 20 CATS (Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme) points and the final award provides 120 points at either professional or postgraduate level.

Modules

  • An Introduction to Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Education and Training
  • Contemporary Issues in Further Education and Training
  • Teaching Practice in Education and Training (pre-service)
  • Applied Learning Theory and Inclusive Practice
  • Wider Professional Practice
  • Practitioner Enquiry

Course content is kept up to date with changes in local and national initiatives and legislation, so you will be confident that your working knowledge is based on current theory and practice.

Some of the specialist areas trainees have studied on this course incudes English, maths, art and design, music tech/performance, sociology, health, hairdressing, psychology, sport, sport science, law, history, business, engineering and science.

Students listening intently in a lecture

Placements

You will be placed in a suitable location for the majority of the year. This may involve more than one location and you will teach for around six hours a week.

Our staff will ensure that you are well prepared throughout your placement, and that you have all the support and guidance needed to make the most of these opportunities.

You will start by observing teachers, then with assisting and team teaching, before taking responsibility for planning, delivering and assessing learning yourself.

You will have additional time to find out about the extent of the work of the organisation, including areas of specific interest such as learning support and quality assurance.

Key aims of placements

  • Advance the development of your professional attributes, skills, knowledge and understanding.
  • Provide practical and specific experiences that enable you to critically analyse your professional practice and take responsibility for your own professional development.
  • Enable you to work collaboratively with colleagues in order to develop an understanding of the ways in which the attainment, development and well-being of all learners can be achieved with a unified support and teaching system.
  • Provide opportunities that enable you to adopt a creative and constructively critical approach towards your practice, supported by appropriate reading and research.

During your placement, university tutors, college mentors and teachers will support you and take shared responsibility for your professional development.

Organising your college-based training
Our Partnership Office will organise your placement for you which will be in a college or sixth form setting. We work hard to ensure that you have placement opportunities that will give you valuable and varied experiences in the area of education in which you are interested.

How it works
We will ask you to complete a placement information form when you start your course, and will use this information to match you to a suitable placement. We will consider your previous experience, travelling distance, the subject you wish to teach, and your current needs.

Once we have matched you with a placement, the team in the Partnership Office will confirm the placement as quickly as possible with the college or organisation. They will then contact you with the confirmed details. Almost all of our placements are with partner schools or organisations in south-east England, the majority in East and West Sussex.

Meet the course leader

Belinda Garlick

"I joined the University of Brighton as course lead and partnership coordinator for the Further Education and Training PGCE in September 2021.

"Prior to joining the university, I had 10 years of experience teaching in Further Education colleges in both London and Brighton. My subject specialism was Sport and Physical Education, which I taught until I moved over to teacher training in September 2019.

"Alongside my teaching roles at college, I was a teaching and learning coach for six years, working regularly with other teachers in the sector to assist in improving their practice. I also mentored PGCE trainees each year and hold a master’s level mentoring qualification. 

"My passion is research informed education practice, and this underpins my teaching. I enjoy encouraging my trainees to be reflective practitioners who experiment with their teaching and make informed decisions on the methods that are the most effective for student learning. 

"I work alongside a partnership of five colleges in Sussex and Surrey to provide the best career and networking opportunities for our trainees, both during their qualification and into their future teaching careers."

Belinda Garlick

Ofsted

This course was rated ‘good’ in our most recent Initial Teacher Education inspection report.

Ofsted identified some of the Further Education Partnership key strengths as:

  • a very high proportion of trainees meet the professional standards for further education and training at a good or better level. Their subject knowledge is a notable strength
  • a high proportion of trainees progress to employment in the further education sector, particularly in the local area.
  • trainees demonstrate high standards of conduct and professional behaviour because of the high expectations their trainers set from the start
  • trainees are adept at applying the theories they learn during their training to their teaching and professional practice. They develop into reflective professionals who care about how to become better teachers.
  • a strong relationship between the university and its partner contributing to the supply of well-trained and well-qualified teachers to local colleges.
Ofsted Good provider logo

Partner college courses 

Full-time and part-time post-16 teacher education courses are also offered by our partner colleges including routes for those currently teaching, or who will have a guaranteed post in the further education and training sector for the academic year in which the course starts. 

Upon successful completion, you will receive a either a PGCE or a Certificate in Education from the University of Brighton.

You can choose to study at:

  • Bexhill College
  • East Sussex College Group
  • Greater Brighton Metropolitan College
  • Plumpton College
  • Reigate College.

Our partner colleges provide access to specialist facilities and knowledge, and offer the opportunity of being able to study locally whilst working towards a university qualification. You'll also have access to University of Brighton facilities including student support services, study support, the Brighton Students’ Union and library and computing resources.

Find out more about the courses and how to apply on our partners websites.

Useful links

The following organisations provide further information about the further education and training sector.

  • Education and Training Foundation is a government-backed, sector-led national support body for the further education and training sector.
  • Society for Education and Training is the only membership body dedicated to professionals working across further education, vocational teaching and training.
  • Association of Colleges represent and promote the interests of colleges, and provide members with high-quality professional support services, including training, events, and recruitment.

Careers

Preparing for your teaching career

You will graduate from this course equipped with the skills and knowledge to become a confident and competent teacher in the further education sector.

You will consider the learning and teaching strategies that are relevant to your specialist subject and develop leadership and management skills.

If you already hold a degree, it is anticipated that you will graduate with a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), and there may also be an opportunity to gain masters-level credits. Applicants without a first degree will graduate with a Certificate in Education.

As well as gaining a PGCE, for those interested teaching in a secondary or sixth form setting can also apply for Qualified Teaching and Learning Skill status (QTLS) through the Society for Education and Training once you have successfully completed the course and are in full-time employment.

QTLS is recognised in law as having parity with QTS for teaching in schools as a qualified teacher.

art secondary education student

Placements

Your placement is designed to give you supported experience and confidence in your teaching ability so you are ready to embark on your career.

We have partnerships with varied further education settings to ensure you graduate with a well-rounded experience. You may experience time in more than one location during your course.

Your placement will ensure you gain experience in:

  • planning and delivering effective learning programmes for diverse groups or individuals
  • applying theoretical understanding of effective practice in teaching, learning and assessment drawing on your own research and other evidence
  • understanding the teaching and professional role and your responsibilities
  • building positive and collaborative relationships with colleagues and learners.

We work hard to ensure that your placement will provide you with learning opportunities and valuable experience within the setting and subject area you are qualifying to teach.

Placement experience will enable you to demonstrate and grow your knowledge. You'll also make valuable contacts in college and sixth form settings which will help when you are looking for your first teaching role.

Graduate destinations

Our Further Education and Training PGCE graduates benefit from excellent employment rates and are highly sought after by our partner colleges. They are known for their creative and innovative approaches to teaching.

Most graduates gain their first teaching post in a further education setting soon after they qualify.

A teacher in front of a wipeboard in the classroom

Further study

If you graduate with the PGCE you'll be awarded 60 masters-level credits which can be used towards our Education MA which further integrates academic study with work-based learning and research.

We also offer a specialist PGCert:

  • Autism PGCert

Postgraduate research degrees are an opportunity to undertake a substantial piece of original research, supported by expert supervisors.

Find out about our research subjects.

A teacher chatting to students

Supporting your employability

Outside of your course, our Careers Service is here to support you as you discover (and re-discover) your strengths and what matters to you. We are here for you throughout your university journey as you work towards a fulfilling and rewarding career.

Connect with our careers team

  • Find part-time work that you can combine with your studies.
  • Find, or be, a mentor or get involved with our peer-to-peer support scheme.
  • Develop your business ideas through our entrepreneurial support network.
  • Get professional advice and support with career planning, CV writing and interview top tips.
  • Meet potential employers at our careers fairs.
  • Find rewarding volunteering opportunities to help you discover more about what makes you tick, and build your CV.

Whatever your career needs, we are here to help. And that's not just while you are a student, our support carries on after you've graduated.

Find out more...

Coloured background with the words Be More, Connected, Skilled, Employable

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Degree and experience
PGCE applicants must have an honours degree. 

Applicants do not need teaching experience. Other industry experience relevant to their subject specialism is desirable.

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)
Applicants must have GCSE maths and English language.

English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 in all elements.

Other

  • All offer are subject to an occupational health check and Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced disclosure check
  • We are committed to safeguarding and child protection. As part of our selection and interview process, we will undertake additional checks to confirm the suitability of candidates.

Fees and costs

Course fees

UK (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 15,300 GBP

Bursaries

For courses starting in 2023, bursaries of up to £29,000 are on offer for some subjects in further education. For further information and eligibility criteria visit the gov.uk website.

Bursaries by subject
SubjectBursary
Mathematics £29,000
Science, including biology, chemistry, or physics £29,000
Engineering or manufacturing £29,000
Computing £29,000
Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) £15,000
English £15,000

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2023–24.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

 

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Education are listed here.

  • You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses.
  • In most cases coursework submissions are electronic but you may wish to print notes and should budget approximately £30 for printing.
  • For courses which require a placement, you’ll be expected to pay for your travel expenses but you may be able to claim some travel costs back from the university, depending on where your placement is in relation to where you live.
  • Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £150 to buy your own copies
  • You may wish to consider budgeting up to £25 for stationery/teaching materials.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Falmer campus

Set in the South Downs, our Falmer campus is around four miles from Brighton city centre. Students based here study a range of subjects – from 2024 these will include education studies, teaching, sport and exercise, nursing and midwifery, allied health professions and medicine. Brighton and Hove Albion's Amex stadium and beautiful Stanmer Park are right next door.

Falmer campus has two halls of residence on site, as well as a library, restaurant, cafes and the students' union shop and bar.

The campus sports centre has a fitness suite, activity studios and a sports hall. There is also a floodlit astroturf football pitch, netball and tennis courts.

Specialist learning facilities at Falmer include the curriculum centre used by teaching and education students, which houses over 30,000 teaching resources, and clinical skills and simulation suites used by health students. New facilities are being developed ready for September 2024 when all of our sport and health students will be based here. Learn more about the changes at Falmer.

Cycle lanes link Falmer with our other campuses and the city centre. There are regular bus services to the city centre and other campuses. Falmer train station is right next to campus and a nine minute journey to central Brighton.

Newly refurbished atrium in the Checkland Building

Accommodation

Brighton: Falmer

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students.

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

  • You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:
    • Paddock Field and Great Wilkins halls offer a range of rooms on our Falmer campus, minutes from your classes, and on the edge of the South Downs.
    • Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Falmer campus and four miles from the city centre, and is easy to get to by bus.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Students dining at Westlain

Students dining at Westlain

Local area

About Brighton

The University of Brighton is at the heart of our city's reputation as a welcoming, forward-thinking place which leads the way when it comes to the arts, music, sustainability and creative technology. Brighton is home to a thriving creative community and a digital sector worth £1bn a year to the local economy, as much as tourism.

Many of the work-based learning opportunities offered on our courses such as placements and guest lectures are provided by businesses and organisations based in the city.

You can also get involved with city festivals and events such as the Brighton Festival, the Fringe, Brighton Digital Festival, Brighton Science Festival, the London to Brighton bike ride, and the Great Escape festival of new music to name but a few. Other annual highlights include Pride, the Brighton Marathon, and Burning the Clocks which marks the winter solstice.

You'll find living in Brighton enriches your learning experience and by the end of your course you will still be finding new things to explore and inspire you.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Maps

Falmer campus

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more.

Students talking in a social area

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Students playing frisbee

Meet our students  

Chris Saunders

I chose to study a Further Education and Training PGCE because this had always been my favourite time in education. I felt that my personality and future career path centred around the education sector.

The facilities on campus are very good, there is a big, spacious library, as well as a restaurant, cafes, and a students' union shop and bar.

The course team at Brighton have been brilliant! They are super approachable and get back to you very quickly when you have concerns/questions.

As part of my placement, I spent time in a college working with A-level students in a chemistry laboratory-based classroom where I gained an abundance of experience and skills that will support me after graduating to be confident in teaching.

My highlight of this course for me is being a part of the reason why students are maturing, learning and growing as individuals with my guidance and teaching.

Chris Saunders FET

Oliver Sadler

I choose to study the Further Education and Training Education PGCE as wanted to pursue a career in teaching psychology to 16+ students.

The University of Brighton as an organisation has a wonderful ethos, lining up very well with my own views on education, politics and environmental concerns. As I studied here for my undergraduate degree, I knew that I was likely to have the same positive experience again.

My highlights of the course were the people I got to interact with over the year. My peers on the course were all bright, enthusiastic and open-minded trainee teachers who were happy to share experiences in order to support each other’s development.

My course tutors were patient, supportive and approachable. Whenever I came to them with an enquiry, I was met with valuable and constructive feedback that I was able to act upon immediately. The tutors were excellent role models and truly practiced what they preached.

Straight after completing the course I found permanent, full-time employment at a local Sussex Sixth Form College as an A-level psychology teacher. I am continually developing my teaching skills as part of the colleges own training programme and have exciting career prospects ahead of me.

Rosemarie Back

I chose to study the Further Education and Training PGCE at the University of Brighton as I heard good reviews about the course and found the interview experience a lot more enjoyable than a few others I had attended.

The tutors on this course are really understanding and modelled excellent practice. One of my highlights is the friendships I made with fellow trainees.

My time at Brighton was an exceptionally positive experience and I would recommend it to anyone considering further education teacher training.

My advice to anyone thinking about this course would be pace yourself to help you manage the workload and to say if you feel like you are struggling. Soak up advice from other trainees around you and keep a diary of your successful (and not so great) days so that you have something to refer back to and reflect on.

"Since graduating I have been employed in a London secondary and sixth form academy teaching art.

Leon Fenton

I chose to study at the University of Brighton because I had heard very good things about the School of Education and the course on offer was exactly what I wanted.

The highlight of this course for me was being able to have a placement that reflected my ambitions as a teacher, as well as the continued support from my tutors and peers. The support from tutors focused on our achievements and any barriers we encountered we were mentored through effectively.

For anyone thinking about studying the Further Education and Training PGCE, my advice would be to go for it. I came onto the course with no formal teaching experience but left as a confident teacher who was successful in getting their dream job.

Since graduating, I’m now working as a full-time music tutor at a Sussex based specialist college called DV8. I don't think I would be in the job I am today without the support from my tutors, who after graduating, assisted me in finding work and continue to support me through with regular emails and check ins.

Stay in touch

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If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

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