A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is a course that takes one or to two years to complete, depending on whether you are a full-time or part-time student.
The course equips its graduates with teaching skills in the classroom and to polish their skills in a teaching subject that they have specialized in during their undergraduate study.
There are typically three phases of specialty:
- PGCE Primary: Teach children in primary school.
- PGCE Secondary: Teach high school learners.
- PGCE Further/Adult Education: Teach in higher education institutions or adult education classes.
There are a number of South African institutions offering PGCE courses, including the Tshwane University of Technology.
Here is how to apply for a PGCE course at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
This course is for students specialising in Further Education and Training Teaching. This programme is managed by the Department of Educational Foundation at the university's School of Education.
Applications can be done via TUT's website.
On the application webpage, you will be required to fill out various personal details, such as:
- ID Number
- Date of Birth
- Address
- Marital Status
- Racial Identity
- Contact details
The admission requirements are as follows:
- An appropriate diploma or a degree that includes sufficient disciplinary learning in appropriate academic fields, To enable the development of teaching subjects in the Further Education and Training (FET) Phase.
- To specialise in the teaching of a specific subject only, the candidate must have completed either a full major at NQF Level 7 in in that module, and completed at least 32 credits in the other at NQF Level 6 or higher.
- There are also a number of 360 credit exit Level 6 diplomas offered by accredited public and private higher education institutions, which are also appropriate for diplomas in the field of teaching, particularly for specialisation in Further Education and Training Teaching.
The duration of this course is a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years.
There are plenty of other institutions also offering PGCE courses. Make sure to be aware of application opening and closing dates, so that you don't miss the opportunity to send in your application.
