School of Education and Psychology

PGCE Further Education

PGCE Full-time 1 year

The Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses equip you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to teach students across all areas of further education and lifelong learning including sixth form colleges, Further Education (FE) Colleges, Adult & Community learning settings, prisons, and independent training providers.

The Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses equip you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to teach students across all areas of further education and lifelong learning including sixth form colleges, Further Education (FE) Colleges, Adult & Community learning settings, prisons, and independent training providers.

Award
PGCE
Start date(s)
31 August 2026
UCAS Code
U488
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (1 year)
Campus location
University: Walsall Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

Studying a PGCE in Further Education is ideal for those looking to further their education career and make a real difference to the lives of students. Our PGCE has been designed to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become successful teachers within the further education and lifelong learning sector.

The PGCE will offer you an opportunity to gain invaluable experience teaching students in further education (FE) colleges or other lifelong learning settings.  This qualification is critical for developing teaching knowledge of both theory and practice within further education, such as face-to-face teaching, online teaching, digital pedagogies, working with support staff and creating effective assessment strategies.

You will be supported by a university personal tutor and a placement subject specific mentor as you develop your identity as a teacher who can provide learning experiences to students while remaining mindful of cultural and linguistic diversity and reflecting on your own journey throughout the course. Completing this course will enable you to pursue Qualified Teaching, Learning and Skills status (QTLS) via the Education and Training Foundation, equivalent to Qualified Teaching Status (QTS).

What happens on the course?

On the PGCE FELL at the University of Wolverhampton, you will be taught through a carefully structured programme that builds your confidence step by step. The course begins by establishing strong foundations in teaching, learning and assessment, positive behaviour and inclusive practice. As your confidence grows, you will move on to more complex areas such as curriculum design, critical pedagogy and practitioner research. This gradual progression ensures you feel secure in core concepts before applying them in more challenging and independent ways.

Learning takes place through a blended approach that combines in-person sessions with high-quality online activities. Face-to-face workshops focus on discussion, collaborative problem-solving and practical teaching strategies, while online learning provides flexible access to readings, discussion forums and digital tasks. These elements are designed to complement one another, allowing you to revisit key ideas, learn at your own pace and engage in inclusive ways that suit different learning needs.

You will be supported to develop the academic and digital skills required for success in Higher Education. Structured guidance on academic writing, critical reading and referencing is embedded within modules, alongside opportunities to practise research and independent study skills. Digital platforms are used to facilitate group work, peer feedback and resource sharing, helping you build confidence in both collaboration and self-directed learning.

Digital fluency is also actively developed. You will explore how to use educational technologies, AI tools and data responsibly and ethically to enhance learning. This ensures you are not only confident with digital tools, but also critically aware of their impact within professional teaching contexts.

Have questions about this course?

Speak directly with one of our experienced course leaders who can provide detailed information about the curriculum, career prospects, and application process.

Request a callback from a course leader.

Employability on the course

Many of our students gain employment within their placement college setting throughout the duration of the course.

Roles you can go into after completing the course are:

  • FE College lecturer
  • Adult and Community lecturer
  • Offender learning lecturer
  • Higher Education Lecturer

Potential Career Paths

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

We provide classroom-based experience and theoretical insight, which means that the course equips students with the necessary groundwork skills to become successful teachers.


The PGCE includes taught elements across a range of topics relevant to the further education and lifelong learning sector, as well as training sessions which allow student teachers to practise teaching under supervision. These sessions cover theory and practical lessons plans, allowing student teachers to gain a deeper understanding of their field. In addition, support is also provided regarding assessment approaches and methods for engaging students.


By combining these elements together, the University of Wolverhampton provides an effective learning environment that enables its beginning teachers to develop into well-rounded professionals with an understanding of contemporary educational approaches.

Location Mode Sep intake Fee Year
Home Full-time £9535 per year 2025-26
Home Full-time £9790 per year 2026-27
Home Part-time £9535 per year 2025-26
Home Part-time £9790 per year 2026-27
International Full-time £15995 per year 2025-26
International Full-time £17600 per year 2026-27
International Part-time £15995 per year 2025-26
International Part-time £17600 per year 2026-27

These fees relate to new entrants only for the academic year indicated for entry onto the course, any subsequent years of study may be subject to an annual increase, usually in line with inflation.

  • To hold a honours degree (normally 2:2 or above) of a United Kingdom higher education institution or equivalent qualification  in a subject related to the area you wish to teach with vocational / professional experience considered carefully in each individual circumstance.
  • To have achieved grade C/4 or above in GCSEs English and Mathematics, or equivalent qualifications.

Please note we do NOT accept GCSE Short Courses or GCSE Equivalent Tests.

Please see equivalent GCSE qualifications we do accept. If you unsure please contact our Admissions Department admissions@wlv.ac.uk for clarification.

Your personal statement is an important part of the application process. We will be reviewing your personal statement to find out more about you and we will also be reviewing your spelling, grammar and punctuation and you have followed the UCAS (for undergraduate applications) or DfE Apply (for post graduate applications) guidance regarding length and what to include. Your application will not be successful if you do not demonstrate the high standards of accuracy the teaching profession demands.

You will be required to provide evidence of your original qualifications.

You must be sure that you wish to embark on a career of teaching in Post-Compulsory Education before applying for this course. In order to achieve this we recommend that you gain some experience within the post compulsory sector. We expect you to research your subject area within the post-compulsory context, and to visit a further education establishment to make an informed decision about how your subject specialism fits into the national vocational framework.

All applicants that are successful with their application will be invited to an interview. This will include a presentation and a panel-based interview. Please view information regarding interview preparation.

Further information regarding the interview process can be found at https://www.wlv.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply/4---after-youve-applied/subject-specific-applications/.

We will not accept applicants onto our professional courses who have been unsuccessful on professional courses at other institutions of higher education.

Free Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health Check:

Due to the professional nature of some of our courses you may also be required to complete a Declaration of Health and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check. We will coordinate both of these non-academic conditions with you should your course require this and you receive an offer from us.

There will be no cost for the DBS this is free to applicants who have secured an offer and have chosen to study at the University of Wolverhampton.

POST COMPULSORY EDUCATION Frequently Asked Questions

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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