Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) (Part-time) (ProfCE)
The Professional Certificate in Education (ProfCE) for Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) is a flexible and highly regarded programme designed to prepare individuals for impactful teaching careers in the post-compulsory education and training sector.
This course is ideal for recent graduates, working professionals, or those returning to education after a break, offering tailored learning pathways to suit diverse needs.
This programme empowers you to teach across a wide range of settings, including Further and Higher Education, adult learning, community education, and vocational teacher education. By combining cutting-edge theoretical frameworks with hands-on teaching experience, the course ensures you can confidently apply pedagogy and best practices in real-world learning environments.
Core to the course are modules that explore teaching standards, innovative learning strategies, and approaches to inclusive teaching. These elements provide a robust foundation for supporting learner development while honing your ability to deliver engaging and effective lessons. The flexible part-time structure allows you to balance study with other commitments, making it accessible to those with busy lives.
Practical teaching placements are integral to the programme, enabling you to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Guided by expert mentors, you will refine your skills, develop a professional teaching portfolio, and gain invaluable experience in diverse educational contexts.
Graduates of the ProfCE PCET are well-positioned for a range of roles, from teaching in Further and Higher Education to delivering adult learning programmes and vocational education. This course equips you to meet the demands of a dynamic and rewarding teaching profession, empowering you to inspire learners and contribute meaningfully to their personal and professional growth.
Course details
- On-campus
- English
- Welsh
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our philosophy is centred on combining pedagogy, practical teaching experience, and reflective learning to develop confident, skilled educators. The course blends theoretical frameworks with real-world application, equipping students with the tools needed to meet teaching standards and inspire learners in post-compulsory education and training settings.
Year 1
In the first year, you will focus on building a foundation in pedagogy and teaching practice. Modules cover learning theories, inclusive education, and lesson planning to support diverse learner needs. You will begin practical placements, gaining hands-on experience in adult learning or Further and Higher Education settings, while reflecting on your progress to develop your teaching style.
Year 2
Year two deepens your understanding of teaching standards and advanced educational strategies. You will refine your skills through extended teaching placements, incorporating feedback to enhance your delivery. Coursework explores curriculum design, assessment methods, and adapting to different learner contexts, ensuring you can confidently deliver high-quality education across community education and vocational teacher education environments.
(20 credits)
(10 credits)
(10 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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For the Professional Certificate in Education (PCET) a relevant level three qualification plus teaching and/or training experience is required.
Admissions Advice and Support 
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study. 
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Assessment for the programme is built on the principles of reflective practice and includes a variety of methods such as portfolios, written reflections, reports, blogs, formal observations of professional practice, and posters.
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DBS enhanced checks are mandatory as part of the programme entry requirements and applicants are responsible for the additional costs of this.
Travelling to professional teaching experience placement settings may incur costs for the student and can vary depending on the location of the setting. Where placements are arranged on behalf of the student, every effort will be made to meet individual requirements (including location preferences) but cannot be guaranteed.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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Graduates from the programme are highly employable in a range of teaching and training sectors across a varied range of professions.