To achieve the PGCE you will need to study and achieve a range of level 5, 6 and 7 modules, namely:

You are also required to undertake at least 150 hours of teaching practice, as well as a minimum of 100 hours of non-teaching practice, with the completion of ten successful teaching practice observations, totalling ten hours. You will undertake your teaching practice over two placements and 20 hours of this will comprise of synchronous online teaching to meet the requirements of the Occupational Standard.

A variety of teaching methods will be employed throughout your time on the course to maximise your learning, with significant learning taking place through your teaching placement via the observation of experienced teachers and peers. You will also learn from your own practical teaching experience and observations, small and large group discussions activities and tutor led sessions.

You will experience predominantly inductive evidence-based teaching approaches, experiential and enquiry based learning, reflective practice strategies and action research.

In addition, as a student at Preston College, you will have access to our virtual learning environment, Canvas, providing access to learning resources and additional materials, which can be accessed 24/7.

Assessment methods vary from module to module but typically include written assessments, presentations, teaching activity, portfolio work and teaching observations. The most appropriate assessment methods will be selected based upon individual module content.

Mode of study: 2 years, part-time

Tuition fees: (Subject to parliamentary approval)  

Student fees for 2026–27 academic year (new starts) £4,760

Student fees for 2027–28 academic year (new starts) £4,885

Initial Teacher Education Bursaries

Initial Teacher Education (ITE) bursaries may be available to eligible students training to teach priority subjects in the Further Education (FE) sector. Bursaries provide financial support while you complete your teacher training and do not depend on the subject of your previous qualification, but on the subject you are training to teach.

Apply to start your course in 2027/28?

The Department for Education (DfE) confirms FE ITE bursary arrangements for each academic year. Funding and eligibility arrangements for courses starting in the 2027/28 academic year have not yet been published.

We will update this information when the DfE confirms the arrangements for 2027/28.

The bursary information and amounts below apply to eligible courses starting in the 2026/27 academic year.

Bursaries for 2026/27

For eligible courses starting in the 2026/27 academic year, the following bursaries are available:

The DfE has capped the English bursary at 100 places nationally. No other ITE subjects attract an FE ITE bursary for 2026/27.

Bursary awards are fixed for the duration of the trainee's ITE programme. For 2026/27, qualifying courses must start on or after 1 September 2026 and finish no later than 31 August 2027 for full-time courses or 31 August 2028 for part-time courses.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for an FE ITE bursary, you must meet and continue to meet the DfE eligibility criteria from the first day of your training.

You must:

• be eligible to receive student support
• have a standard equivalent to GCSE grade 4 (C) or above in English and mathematics
• have at least a Level 3 qualification in the subject you intend to teach, or relevant professional experience
• be taking a qualifying pre-service ITE course in England.

The bursary is based on the subject you are training to teach, rather than the subject of your previous qualification. Where you do not hold a relevant Level 3 qualification, your skills, knowledge and relevant professional experience may be considered when determining eligibility.

When you will not normally be eligible

You will not be eligible for an FE ITE bursary if you:

• already hold a Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills), Diploma in Education and Training (DET), or an equivalent qualification at Level 5 or above
• have already received a full FE ITE bursary or grant for a previous FE ITE programme or qualification
• are undertaking another ITE course, training scheme or programme leading to an equivalent teaching qualification
• are on an apprenticeship programme
• receive a salary or other payment for teaching work associated with the FE ITE programme for which you are receiving the bursary
• already hold, or are eligible to receive, early years teacher status (EYTS), qualified teacher status (QTS), qualified teacher learning and skills status (QTLS), or advanced teacher status (ATS).

There are some exceptions relating to employment. For example, employment as a teaching assistant without paid teaching responsibilities may not prevent eligibility, and employment unrelated to the FE ITE course may also be permitted.

Applying for an ITE bursary

If a bursary is available for your course, we will assess your eligibility against the DfE requirements.

Complete bursary applications will normally be processed within 10 working days of receiving all the information and supporting evidence we need to confirm your eligibility.

Bursary funding is subject to DfE funding arrangements and availability. We therefore encourage eligible students to provide all requested information and supporting evidence as early as possible.

Further information

You can find full eligibility requirements and conditions in the DfE FE ITE bursary funding manual 2026 to 2027.

While this qualification is not a school teaching qualification there may be employment opportunities in some schools, particularly for teachers of vocational subjects.

On achieving this qualification, trainee teachers will be able to begin the process of achieving Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills status (QTLS). Please see the following website for further information on QTLS: Gaining QTLS

You can also explore potential careers via Career Coach, a tool which provides current local data on wages and employment prospects.

On successful completion of your PGCE, you can progress on to the Masters in Education at UCLan, accrediting 60 credits to offset the first year of study.  

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities, and in particular those that are currently under-represented in our Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses. We specifically encourage applications from ethnic minority groups at this time.

Mode of study: 2 years, part-time

Location: Preston College, Fulwood Campus (except placement)

Minimum numbers required for this course to run: 12 people

Additional costs: The provision of your own laptop/computer and stationery is essential for this course.

Additional requirements: You will be required to be teaching in an educational or training environment, in order to complete 150 hours of required placement activity, as well as a minimum of 100 hours of non-teaching practice, with the completion of ten successful teaching practice observations, totalling ten hours.. This could be paid, or through a voluntary placement. 

Industry experience in the subject you intend to teach is also required (circa 3 years), if your chosen subject is different to your degree subject. 

You are required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), which costs £44. The fee for the Update Service is £13 per year. More details will be shared at interview.

Entry to Initial Teacher Education (ITE) is subject to specific entry requirements. Before applying, you should check that you meet the published requirements for the course.

If you have qualifications or prior learning that you believe may be relevant to your eligibility or could be considered through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), please contact us before submitting your application. We will review this with you to determine whether your qualifications and experience meet the entry requirements and whether any prior learning may be recognised.

Applicants will normally only progress to interview once their eligibility for the course has been confirmed.

Admission to the Postgraduate Certificate in Education award is open to applicants who are new to teaching (pre-service) and in-service teachers in the FES Sector who, at the point of entry meet the following national entry requirements: 

• UK honours degree (normally 2:2 or above) or equivalent related to your specialist area
• A minimum of a Level 3 qualification in all the specialist subjects¹ they will be teaching (if different to degree subject) 
• GCSE English at grade C/4 or above (or OfQual approved equivalent²)
• GCSE mathematics at grade C/4 or above (or OfQual approved equivalent²)
• Where English is not the applicant’s first language: The ability to communicate fluently, accurately and effectively in professional spoken English (IELTS 7.5 with no element lower than 7.0 (or equivalent) ³
• A teaching contract or a voluntary placement across two institutions, that includes:
  • A minimum of 150 hours of teaching practice (including 20 hours online synchronous teaching)³
  • A minimum of 100 hours of non-teaching practice⁴
  • A named subject specialist mentor in the primary placement location
  • A named pastoral mentor in the primary placement location
  • Completion of a satisfactory course interview⁵
  • Completion of a satisfactory subject interview⁵
• Provide confirmation of an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. 

Pre-service applicants wishing to teach in a school, or sixth form attached to a school will also be checked against the prohibition list  

Applicants wanting to teach English and applicants wanting to teach mathematics (without a mathematics ’A’ Level/degree) are required to successfully complete an additional entry assessment to demonstrate their content knowledge and skills.  

This may impact on the acquisition of a suitable teaching practice placement and therefore additional time must be factored for this.

¹ Specialist subject: Where the subject is regarded as SEND, the applicant must have a L3 SEND qualification.

²Equivalent qualifications must be named by the Society for Education and Training as suitable for entry to QTLS (see Approved maths and English qualifications | Society for Education and Training (et-foundation.co.uk  ) 

³IELTS certification date must be within two years of the point of application.

Teaching Hours

The course is dependent upon trainee teachers being able to put into practice in their own classrooms the values, knowledge and professional skills they gain through their studies. To ensure purposeful integration and development of generic and subject pedagogical approaches, it is a requirement of the course that trainees should be employed or attend placement on a weekly basis throughout the duration of the course.   

Whilst the 150 hours of teaching practice and 100 hours of non-teaching practice are the National requirement, in cases where the quality, quantity or breadth of the teaching is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the course, it may be necessary to arrange for trainees to carry out some additional teaching. Teaching practice must be carried out predominantly with groups of twelve or more learners, although some small group teaching may be undertaken.  

Effective teaching practice experience should ideally include:

• Teaching across more than one level
• Teaching a diverse range of learners
• Experience across a wide range of non-teaching activity

Applicants also need to demonstrate at interview and through references that they have the potential to become a good teacher.  Where applicants have non-standard qualifications, please contact the University of Lancashire ITE to enquire about equivalences.  

Applicants for placements in vocational subjects will need to demonstrate suitable industrial/employment experience.  

Applicants for placements in academic subjects are usually expected to have a degree in the subject.

The College will support you in identifying a suitable teaching placement, either within the College or with an appropriate local provider. You may also identify potential placement opportunities; however, any proposed placement must be approved by the College before it begins to ensure that it is suitable for your subject area and meets the requirements of the ITE programme.

While the College will make every effort to support you in securing an appropriate placement, a placement cannot be guaranteed.

Before applying it is very important that you are clear about your future status, and the difference between QTS and QTLS. University of Lancashire teacher education qualifications do not afford graduates with QTS status. The CertEd or the PGCE will not confer Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

On achievement of the CertEd or PGCE awarded by University of Lancashire, qualified teachers in the FE and Skills Sector will be eligible to apply for QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills) status through the Society for Education and Training (SET).  It is not normally possible to gain QTLS in less than 6 months from the end of the course, as applicants have to demonstrate their post-qualification development. Initially, you will pay a £50 application fee (non-refundable) to the SET and then, the Professional Formation programme, leading to QTLS, is priced at £595.