University of KwaZulu-Natal UKZN PGCE
WHAT IS A PGCE?
The PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) is an initial teacher training qualification that students can apply for once they have completed their degree that is relevant for teaching purposes in schools.
The PGCE consisting of 128 credits at NQF Level 7 prepares graduates for teaching through an intensive one-year full-time programme.
PGCE is offered in the following three phase specialisations:
- Senior Phase of General Education and Training Teaching (GET) (grades 7 to 9)
- Senior Phase of GET and Further Education and Training Teaching (grades 7 to 12)
- Further Education and Training Teaching (FET) (grades 10 to 12)
The PGCE focuses primarily on developing teaching skills (HOW TO TEACH), and not knowledge of the subject/s you intend to teach (WHAT TO TEACH). Students are therefore expected to have the necessary subject disciplinary knowledge in their chosen subjects for teaching in a school before embarking on a PGCE. What subjects a student will qualify to teach in, are therefore determined by the structure of a student’s initial degree (see list of subjects below). The PGCE will enable students to register with the South African Council for Educators (SACE) as qualified teachers.
The following is the list of subjects on offer in the PGCE programmes. Please note that a subject will only be offered if there are more than 5 students registered for the subject.
Further Education and Training phase subject specialisations (grades 10 to 12):
Accounting, Agricultural Science, Business Studies, Computer Application Technology, Dramatic Arts, Economics, English Home Language, Geography, History, Information Technology, isiZulu Home Language, isiZulu First Additional Language, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Music, Physical Sciences, Tourism.
Senior Phase of General Education and Training subject specialisations: Arts and Culture, Economic and Management Sciences, Languages Life Orientation, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Technology
WHAT ARE THE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PGCE?
A completed recognised undergraduate degree approved by the University Senate as suitable for teaching purposes with at least two approved university subjects aligned to school teaching subjects.
The approval of the degree for teaching is dependent on the specific combination of modules successfully completed in the degree programme. See guidelines below:
FET Teaching Phase (grades 10 to 12):
The completed degree should have covered subject/disciplinary learning which should include at least 48credits of which at least 24 credits must be at Level 7 for an FET subject specialisation.
Senior Phase (grades 7 to 9):
The completed degree should have covered subject/disciplinary learning which should include least 24 credits at Level 6 for a Senior phase subject specialisation.
A completed full first year academic degree course stretching over two semesters can be regarded as compliant with NQF level 6 study. For example: Chemistry 1 or History 1.
A completed full second year academic degree course stretching over four semesters can be regarded as compliant with NQF level 7 study. For example: Mathematics 2 or Psychology 2.
HOW WILL THE SELECTION PROCESS BE ORGANISED?
· The selection process requires the subject specialisation co-ordinators to approve the underpinning subjects taken in the initial degree for selection into specific subjects for either of the three PGCE programmes on offer namely, (1) PGCE Senior Phase of General Education and Training for grades 7 to 9); (2) PGCE Senior Phase and Further Education and Training for grades 7 · International students’ qualifications must be verified by SAQA to ensure equivalence to the relevant NQF levels of the South African framework.
· A selection committee will meet at the end of each month to finalise applications received within the specific month. You should receive a response from the Admissions Office at, School of Education, within 10 days after the selection committee meeting. See contact details below for staff dealing with admissions.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A PGCE QUALIFICATION?
The PGCE programme includes 8 modules of 16 credits each.
Compulsory modules:
- Education and Professional Development 610 (Schools, Teachers and Context)
- Education and Professional Development 620 (Curriculum, Assessment and Classroom Management)
- Education and Professional Development 630 (Teaching for Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice)
- School Experience 610 (Included is Teaching Practice in a school in April for 4 weeks)
- School Experience 620 (Included is Teaching Practice in a school in July/Aug for 6 weeks)
Teaching Subject Specialisations: (Electives)
Three teaching subject from the list on pages 2 and 3 appropriate to your phase registration. Your selection into a teaching subject specialisation will depend on the subjects taken in your initial degree.
Phase specific requirements:
Students who register for the Senior Phase must complete at least one module in Mathematics, Natural Science or Technology.
Language and Computer endorsements:
Computer literacy endorsement: Students graduating with a PGCE must be computer literate. Completed recognised courses/modules related to computer literacy will be considered. Students should also take the initiative to obtain the necessary computer literacy competence before applying for a PGCE or while doing the PGCE.
Language endorsement:
A language proficiency for Language of Teaching and Learning (LOTL); and Language of Conversational Competence LOCC) is done based on your grade 12 national certificate and language used as medium of instruction at your higher education institution. The language modules/ courses taken in the initial degree/diploma will also be considered for the endorsement.
HOW TO APPLY
For further enquiries please contact the Admissions Officers in the School of Education.
Edgewood Campus
- Ms Nelisiwe Buhlalu
- Tel: 031 260-3499
- Email: buhlalupr@ukzn.ac.za
Pietermaritzburg Campus
- Mrs Geshree Naicker
- Tel: 033 260-6130
- Email: naickerg@ukzn.ac.za
NB// The closing date for application for admission to the PGCE is 30 September 2016 (late applications may not be accepted).
A non-refundable application fee of R200 is payable for local students and R470 for international students. All application fees are payable to the University of KwaZulu-Natal and can be paid into the following
Account: Standard Bank
- Account number: 053081072
- Account type: Business Current Account
- Branch code: Westville: 045426
Please provide your details on the deposit slip and attach a copy of the proof of payment to your application
Visit the UKZN website on education.ukzn.ac.za for full details on how to apply.
WHAT ABOUT FEES & FINANCIAL AID?
The tuition fee for 2016 was: full-time PGCE +- R20 000. Tuition fees for 2017 have not yet been confirmed.
Application for financial assistance can be done through: Edu-Loan (private financial company) on Client Services – 0860 555544 or e-mail: info@eduloan.co.za, or National Student Financial Aid Scheme on (031) 260 3603.
Funza Lushaka bursaries are available to PGCE students in priority areas (such as Math’s and Science).
For further details contact the Funda Lushaka Administrator: Nonhle Mdlalose at UKZN, Edgewood Campus. Telephone: (+27) 031 260 3208 Fax: (+27) 031 260 1109 mdlalosen@ukzn.ac.za
