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Certificate in Education Level 4 (full-time)

Course Overview

Develop the skills, knowledge, and professional values to enhance your teaching career within the further education and skills sector. This nationally endorsed qualification prepares you for the challenges and rewards of teaching in a variety of environments, including further education colleges, adult and community education and the public sector.

Take advantage of opportunities to network with potential employers. Follow in the footsteps of many of our trainees and possibly go on to find employment within the organisations you work with during your placement. After completing this course you'll have the option to gain Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status.

You are expected to complete four 30-credit modules and eight teaching observations. As a full-time trainee you are committed to a Monday-to-Friday week of academic and professional study, consisting of two full days per week of on-campus study, two days per week of professional practice placement (arranged by BTC/University Centre Somerset) and one day per week of independent study and research.
You will work closely with your colleagues on the programme, learning together and from one another, with peer support an important part of the programme organisation and learning. Your teaching observations will be carried out by course tutors and subject-specialist mentors in an atmosphere of professional evaluation and support.

Core modules:

Learning, Teaching and Assessment (DLLS490)
This module addresses the processes, principles, and theories of planning, preparing, and enabling learning. It will examine theories, principles and processes of assessment including inclusive assessment practices. It investigates key aspects of the roles and responsibilities of teachers, trainers, and tutors in this Sector.

Wider Practice and Professional Development (DLLS580)
This module focuses upon notions of professionalism and wider professional practice enabling examination of professional conduct, accountability, quality assurance and improvement, and the wider context of teaching. You will evaluate your professional and personal development and plan future development.

Theories and Principles of Managing Learning Environments (DLLS584)
Through reflective practice and study, this module evaluates theories, policies, and principles for enabling inclusive learning, focusing on learning environments including classroom, virtual, restricted, workplace, field trips and outdoors. It examines communication, resources, teaching/learning strategies and organisation policies.

Curriculum and Society (DLLS579)
This module explores curriculum theories, principles and ideologies and social, economic, political and cultural differences affecting inclusive curriculum design, equality and diversity and education for sustainable development. It enables evaluation of individual subject specialisms in relation to inclusive curriculum design.

Course Overview

Course Overview

Develop the skills, knowledge, and professional values to enhance your teaching career within the further education and skills sector. This nationally endorsed qualification prepares you for the challenges and rewards of teaching in a variety of environments, including further education colleges, adult and community education and the public sector.

Take advantage of opportunities to network with potential employers. Follow in the footsteps of many of our trainees and possibly go on to find employment within the organisations you work with during your placement. After completing this course you'll have the option to gain Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status.

You are expected to complete four 30-credit modules and eight teaching observations. As a full-time trainee you are committed to a Monday-to-Friday week of academic and professional study, consisting of two full days per week of on-campus study, two days per week of professional practice placement (arranged by BTC/University Centre Somerset) and one day per week of independent study and research.
You will work closely with your colleagues on the programme, learning together and from one another, with peer support an important part of the programme organisation and learning. Your teaching observations will be carried out by course tutors and subject-specialist mentors in an atmosphere of professional evaluation and support.

Core modules:

Learning, Teaching and Assessment (DLLS490)
This module addresses the processes, principles, and theories of planning, preparing, and enabling learning. It will examine theories, principles and processes of assessment including inclusive assessment practices. It investigates key aspects of the roles and responsibilities of teachers, trainers, and tutors in this Sector.

Wider Practice and Professional Development (DLLS580)
This module focuses upon notions of professionalism and wider professional practice enabling examination of professional conduct, accountability, quality assurance and improvement, and the wider context of teaching. You will evaluate your professional and personal development and plan future development.

Theories and Principles of Managing Learning Environments (DLLS584)
Through reflective practice and study, this module evaluates theories, policies, and principles for enabling inclusive learning, focusing on learning environments including classroom, virtual, restricted, workplace, field trips and outdoors. It examines communication, resources, teaching/learning strategies and organisation policies.

Curriculum and Society (DLLS579)
This module explores curriculum theories, principles and ideologies and social, economic, political and cultural differences affecting inclusive curriculum design, equality and diversity and education for sustainable development. It enables evaluation of individual subject specialisms in relation to inclusive curriculum design.

Assessment

Assessment Methods

A variety of interactive teaching and learning methods are used to engage all learners and provide a stimulating learning environment. For example, Classroom-based discussion, small and large group work, student-led seminars, and individual tutorials. A balance of synchronous face to face delivery, combined with asynchronous and flipped learning (using digital technologies) offers innovation and creativity to the programme. Each module is assessed by coursework, a professional portfolio and two observations of teaching practice.

Entry Requirements and Progression

Progression

Completion of the course could lead to full-time or part-time employment in the Further Education and skills sector.

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements

• Level 3 qualification (or be able to demonstrate suitable subject expertise and specialist knowledge) in the subject area you wish to teach.
• GCSE or Level 2 equivalent in both English and Maths.
• Good information and communications technology (ICT) skills.

Applicants with overseas qualifications can check their compatibility with the UK equivalent through UK ECCTIS , who provide an advisory service. 

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, then we’ll need evidence of your proficiency in English as follows:
• IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in all four elements, or accepted equivalent English qualification as listed on Plymouth University’s website.

You’ll normally be pre-service and your entry onto the programme will be conditional upon BTC/UCS identifying a suitable placement and mentor in the subject specialism.

Non-academic requirements

• You’ll be required to complete a satisfactory enhanced DBS (formerly CRB) Enhanced Disclosure and complete a criminal convictions self-declaration form.
• You must be deemed fit to teach.

All appropriately qualified candidates will be given equal consideration during the selection process. BTC/UCS does not tolerate discrimination on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, colour, disability, religion, nationality, age, sexual orientation or any other irrelevant distinction.

Entry onto these programmes is conditional on the BTC/UCS identifying a suitable placement and mentor.

An interview is a pre-requisite for entry onto this programme

There is a two-stage interview process for this course. The first stage is conducted by a member of the teaching team and if successful there will be a second interview with a subject specialist tutor from the placement college. This interview is to ascertain your level of subject knowledge in the areas that you might reasonably be expected to deliver whilst on your teaching placement.

Fees

The course fee is £7800.00* per year of study.

For more information regarding course fees, please read our 'Fees and Funding' page.

*Fees are subject to review annually. The fees for existing students may be increased annually in line with the Retail Price Index.

Policies and Regulations

June Open Event – Bridgwater Campus

15th June 2023