Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Education (PGCert) (2024 Entry)
Explore our Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Education (PGCert).
The Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Education is a supportive pathway for eligible, experienced teachers and school leaders to have their work-based learning assessed against the learning outcomes for academic credit towards our MA in Professional EducationLink opens in a new window qualification.
A time-efficient and economical alternative to full or part-time study for the first half of the programme, whilst refreshing and updating candidates’ academic skills in preparation for progressing to the final 2 year MA course.
Course overview
As an experienced teacher, your skill-set is unique and the Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Education is designed to reflect that.
The programme runs as a five-month cycle every January-June and June-November. It comprises the submission of two portfolios related to Strategic Research and Effective Leadership and Mentoring. The portfolios can be completed together during the same five-month cycle, or separately through two cycles in consecutive years.
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
You must hold a UK Bachelor's degree with Honours at 2:2 or above, or equivalent level.
English language requirements
Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window.
This course requires the following:
- Band B
- Overall IELTS (Academic or UKVI) score of 7.0 and minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.
Additional requirements
There are no additional entry requirements for this course.
Core modules
Two Portfolios, each with a unique 'module' theme:
- Strategic Research (30 Credits)
- Effective Leadership and Mentoring (30 Credits)
An academic statement to accompany each portfolio.
Optional modules
There are no optional modules for this course.
Teaching
What support and access does the Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Education provide?
- An experienced mentor supporting the completion of the Postgraduate Certificate portfolio.
- You can access the University of Warwick library, giving you access to thousands of journals and online publications. Including those from the British Educational Research Association, the British Educational Leadership Management, the Administration Society and their international equivalents.
- Access to the Moodle Virtual Learning Platform and Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Education handbook.
- An Advanced Academic Skills workshop to help facilitate the completion of the required academic statements.
Assessment
The programme runs as a five-month cycle every January-June and June-November. It comprises the submission of two portfolios related to Strategic Research in Educational Practice and Effective Leadership and Mentoring in Professional Practice. Applicants have flexibility within these portfolios and can focus on themes that are pertinent to school improvement and individual professional development opportunities.
For example, for the Strategic Research Portfolio an applicant can focus on a strategic aspect of school improvement by selecting a theme of interest to them and their school. For the Effective Leadership and Mentoring Portfolio an applicant might focus on exploring a theme within their SLT roles/responsibilities, ECT mentoring activities or subject leadership/SENCo/Partnership responsibilities.
Your timetable
Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you when you join us.
Your career
Our graduates go on to work in a variety of roles within education, as classroom specialists, mentors, middle and senior leaders, and in pastoral positions.
Our teachers also move into related roles outside of school-based education, into Higher Education, social work and alternative education provision for example. They work across the state, independent and international school sectors.
In addition, our teachers have pursued further research by advancing onto our MA in Professional Education and/or through PhD/EdD further study, and have shared their research widely at conferences and through publication.
Centre for Teacher Education (CTE)
Our vision and ambition for the Centre for Teacher Education (CTE) derives from a commitment to continue the long history of Teacher Education at the University of Warwick where generations of new teachers gain employment in our partner schools to improve the life chances of the children they teach. Our programmes are underpinned by our core values of social justice, intellectual curiosity and creativity.
Our commitment is to ensure we support and develop you as an Early Career Teacher and engage you as part of our alumni community. CTE’s Master's in Professional Education is aimed at practising teachers and school leaders and is designed to ensure the content aligns with an individual’s educational research interest. You will focus your research on an area of your own choice to ensure your studies and learning has real value and impact within your school context.
We pride ourselves on making a difference to our students. We place high-quality teaching and student support at the heart of what we do and recognise that our success is built on the strength of our partnership with our students and schools. Teaching is our top priority and our commitment to our students is paramount.
Learn more about us from our website.Link opens in a new window
Our Postgraduate Taught courses
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Primary (2-7 or 5-11)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Secondary (11-18)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education International (PGCEi)
- Professional Education (MA)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with iQTS (Primary 3-7 & 5-11)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with iQTS (Secondary)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Education (PGCert)
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.
Fee Status Guidance
The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.
If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website.
Additional course costs
Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:
- Core text books
- Printer credits
- Dissertation binding
- Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships and financial support
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
Living costs
Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.
Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.
How to apply
To start this course in January 2024, applications will close on Monday 27 November 2023.
How to apply for a postgraduate taught course
After you’ve applied
Find out how we process your application.
Applicant Portal
Track your application and update your details.
Admissions statement
See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.
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Warwick Hosted EventsLink opens in a new window
Our hosted events run throughout the year, with a mixture of virtual and in-person sessions. These events are a great way to learn more about our courses and departments, chat to current students and staff, and find out more information about accommodation, careers, and how to apply.Postgraduate Fairs
Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in-person around the UK. These events give you the chance to explore our range of postgraduate courses, and find out what it’s like studying at Warwick. You’ll also be able to speak directly with our student recruitment team, who will be able to help answer your questions.
Live chats
Join a live chat with our staff and students, who are here to answer your questions and help you learn more about postgraduate life at Warwick. You can join our general drop-in sessions or talk to your prospective department and student services.
Warwick Talk and Tours
A Warwick talk and tour lasts around two hours and consists of an overview presentation from one of our Recruitment Officers covering the key features, facilities and activities that make Warwick a leading institution. The talk is followed by a campus tour which is the perfect way to view campus, with a current student guiding you around the key areas on campus.