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Overview
Become a teacher in a college, sixth form or training centre on this Further Education and Skills PGCE with SEND, and support and inspire learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) as they develop the skills, confidence and knowledge to achieve their goals.
You'll gain teaching expertise at University and real classroom experience from the start of the course, developing your skills in further education settings and learning how to create inclusive, engaging learning environments for a wide range of learners. You'll explore practical approaches to planning and delivering effective lessons, using adaptive teaching strategies and removing barriers to learning so that all students can succeed.
Alongside your teaching practice, you'll learn how to use research to inform and improve your teaching, helping you become a confident, reflective and resilient practitioner. You'll also develop expertise in supporting learners with SEND while building your understanding of wider areas that are central to further education, including English and maths, equality, diversity and inclusion, digital skills and sustainability.
Wherever and however you study, you'll be a student of the University of Portsmouth, with access to all of our facilities, resources and support.
Once you graduate, you'll have the teaching qualification and specialist SEND knowledge needed to begin your career in further education colleges, sixth forms, specialist provision and training organisations, where you can make a meaningful difference to the lives and opportunities of learners with additional needs.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students. The part-time course is available to International students who do not require a Student Route Visa.
You can study this PGCE part-time at one of our partner colleges.
While studying at our partner colleges, you can access our student support services and community including study support, the Students' Union and our library's online resources.
Course highlights
- Gain the skills, confidence and knowledge to become a teacher in further education, with a specialist focus on supporting learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
- Develop your teaching practice from the start of the course through real classroom experience, learning how to plan and deliver engaging lessons for a diverse range of learners
- Learn how to use adaptive and inclusive teaching strategies to remove barriers to learning and help all students reach their potential
- Build expertise in assessing learner progress, providing meaningful feedback, managing behaviour and creating positive learning environments
- Use research to inform and develop your teaching practice, helping you become a reflective, resilient and evidence-informed educator
- Explore key areas that shape contemporary further education, including English and maths, equality, diversity and inclusion, digital skills and sustainability
- Share your experiences and learn from fellow trainee teachers in lectures, seminars and professional discussions
- Benefit from eligibility for membership of the Society for Education and Training (SET) when you graduate, enabling you to work towards Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status
- Be guaranteed an interview when you apply for this PGCE as an undergraduate student or graduate of the University of Portsmouth, no matter your subject or when you graduated
Recognised by:
The PGCE and Cert Ed Further Education and Skills Courses are professional teaching qualifications which are recognised by further education providers in the UK.
PGCE and Cert Ed graduates can also apply to the Society for Education and Training (SET) to gain QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning & Skills) status.
The courses are also inspected by the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) and received 'Good' in 2024.
The provider has designed a carefully structured and ambitious curriculum. It successfully supports trainees to acquire the skills that they need to progress and succeed.
Staff introduce core topics such as digital skills, SEND and adaptive teaching early in the programme and revisit them frequently to ensure that trainees consolidate and embed their learning. As a result, trainees are well prepared to become competent teachers in a FES setting.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students. The part-time course is available to International students who do not require a Student Route Visa.
September 2026 / January 2027 (indicative)
- A good honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Formal qualifications, experiential learning and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) are also considered.
- GCSE Mathematics and English language at grade C (Grade 4) or above, or equivalent.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- Part-time students are required to have secured their own teaching placement with at least 100 teaching hours plus 75 non-teaching hours per year, and have an identified subject mentor.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
Find out more about our English language requirements.
- All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview.
- All offers are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and Occupational Health clearance.
September 2027 / January 2028
- A good honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Formal qualifications, experiential learning and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) are also considered.
- GCSE Mathematics and English language at grade C (Grade 4) or above, or equivalent.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- Part-time students are required to have secured their own teaching placement with at least 100 teaching hours plus 75 non-teaching hours per year, and have an identified subject mentor.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.0.
Find out more about our English language requirements.
- All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview.
- All offers are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and Occupational Health clearance.
Equivalency qualifications in place of GCSEs
If you don't have a GCSE in Maths or English, you can still apply for this course. We accept equivalency qualifications in place of these GCSEs, which you can obtain from one of two providers - Equivalency Testing or A Star Equivalency.
These providers also offer discounts for PGCE offer holders. To find out more about equivalency qualifications for this PGCE, please email us.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2026 start)
Part-time (at partner college)
- UK/Channel Islands/Isle of Man students – £3,090 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- International/EU students - £8,950 (may be subject to annual increase)
If you're an EU student you may be eligible to receive our EU Scholarship.
Tuition fees (September 2027 start)
Course fees for 2027/28 will be confirmed shortly.
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available funding for teacher training.
Fees and funding for teacher training
Find out more about how much teacher training costs, as well the options available to you for funding, including scholarships and bursaries.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Explore Master's funding options, including loans, scholarships, bursaries and more.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: If you choose to study on-campus, accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: such photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Placement expenses: You'll need to budget for travel to and from your placement or placements.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Modules
Part-time (at partner college or distance learning)
You’ll evaluate active, student centred learning techniques, including their effectiveness and appropriateness for teaching, learning and assessment.
You’ll reflect on the use of active learning methods within subject specialisms, and design and deliver a set of lessons which align with external body expectations.
You’ll investigate and review strategies designed to develop wider skills within learners in further education, such as English, maths and broader skills relevant to their progression and career aims.
You’ll also assess strategies for effective behaviour management and blended learning, and design and deliver a set of lessons which align with external body expectations.
Core modules
From developing a proposal to completing your final report, you will investigate an area of practice that interests you and explore ways to improve learner outcomes.
You will discuss how you adapt your teaching to meet diverse learner needs, support learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and apply key policies and frameworks in practice.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Study your PGCE with us
Discover our PGCE courses that can set you on the path to becoming a teacher. Whether you're interested in Primary, Secondary or Further Education, our PGCE courses will help you start a rewarding career in teaching.
Andrew: I really do think that people who come to Portsmouth to teach here will stay here for a really long time. At Portsmouth, we offer three different programmes for teacher training.
We have a Primary programme which you can come on as a post-grad or an undergrad.
We have a Secondary teacher training programme across a range of subject areas and we have an F.E. programme so if you want to teach 14 year olds to adults, the Further Education programme is ideal.
Tanya: The reason that I selected the Further Education strand rather than the Secondary was purely because of my specialism.
Being able to teach in Further Education meant that I was able to teach fashion in its fullest.
Andrew: We want the curriculum we offer at Portsmouth to be ambitious and we want it to be personalised for the students.
We put training in to help our trainees to really think about the needs of children that they're going to encounter and I'm really proud that our courses are tailored to be able to do that.
Tanya: When you first start, you will do a week or a few weeks specifically in university learning new skills, etc. and you then go on to get selected or given your placement.
Andrew: If you're on the Primary or Secondary programme, you have to train in two different schools and that would be the same on any teacher training programme that you're on.
We try to make sure there are contrasts in the placements to really give you a range of experiences and different types of pupils. That ultimately makes you more employable.
Jack: [For me], placement one at The Priory School in Southsea enabled me to really focus on behaviour management skills.
At St Edmund’s Catholic School for my second placement. I was then able to really hone in and practice my subject knowledge. It then allowed me to observe how outstanding lessons were delivered.
Andrew: On the Further Education programme, you spend the whole year in one college and that also has advantages because you really get to know those pupils over a very long period of time.
We put wellbeing and support for trainees right at the heart of what we do, and I think that's what's unique about Portsmouth.
You can train to teach anywhere, but you're not going to necessarily get that level of individual support from everybody.
Jack: I want to be a teacher because I want to make a difference. I really want to see that I can deliver English lessons and teach English in exciting, stimulating and creative ways.
The University of Portsmouth has been a great experience for this PGCE journey.
Tanya: If I'm honest, the University of Portsmouth has my heart. It's given me everything that I needed, from my undergraduate to my teaching degree and then beyond that as well. What more could you want really?
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your PGCE, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.
It is our expectation that all international students will join us here on campus in Portsmouth.
Course structure
This Further Education and Skills with SEND PGCE course will take:
- 2 years (part-time study)
Part-time study
If you study part-time, you'll attend one of our partner colleges once a week.
You'll also be using your own teaching hours, where you'll teach at least 100 hours each year, and carry out 75 non-teaching hours each year.
See our partner college websites for details of the part-time version of this teaching degree:
Teaching
PGCE study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to helping you become a teacher.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree, but the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Teaching methods on this teaching degree include:
- seminars
- practical teaching sessions
- workshops
- lectures
- online learning
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- research-based essays
- teaching practice files
- digital presentations
- lesson observations
- logging personal development
You'll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Career development
Careers this course prepares you for
On this further education teacher training degree, you'll gain the formal teaching qualification you need to teach in colleges, sixth-forms and private training providers.
This Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is a professional teaching qualification recognised by further education providers in the UK. When you graduate, you'll also be eligible to apply to the Society for Education & Training (SET) to gain Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status, which is recognised as comparable to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
As a new further education teacher in 2024, you could expect a starting salary of £26,090 in the UK. A PGCE is an internationally-recognised qualification, so you'll also be able to work as a teacher overseas, including in the USA, Canada and Australia.
You could also earn 60 postgraduate credits on this further education PGCE, which you could put towards a full Master's degree (worth 180 credits) in the future.
Leaders work closely with college partners to ensure that they have a shared vision of excellence.
They use feedback from partners well to adapt programmes to ensure that they meet employers’ needs. When they identify areas for development, they act swiftly to implement positive changes.
What can you do with a postgraduate certificate in further education and skills with SEND?
Typical roles include:
- Further education teacher
- SEND specialist teacher
- Vocational trainer
- Adult education tutor
- Learning support or inclusion roles
Graduates may also progress to:
- further study (e.g. MA Education Studies with SEND)
- specialist SEND qualifications
- leadership roles within education
Career outcomes shown are sourced from the latest available graduate outcome surveys. The data shows career outcomes at 15 months after graduation.
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from your tutors and from our Careers and Employability Centre, which you can access for 5 years after you graduate.
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- Applied projects with companies such as IBM, Boeing and Hampshire County Council
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- Support starting your own business
Teaching placements and experience
On this further education and skills with SEND PGCE, you'll spend significant time in your placement setting, where you’ll develop your teaching through real classroom experience. You'll work with students and teaching professionals, and have the support of a placement mentor.
You'll be able to put your theoretical teacher training into action and develop the practical teaching skills and techniques you'll need in future roles as a further education teacher.
Teaching experience for part-time students
If you are already working in teaching and/or further education, the part-time version of this PGCE is designed for you.
If you study this course part-time, you'll study at one of our partner colleges or online by distance learning. You'll also need to carry out teaching hours within your current role, or secure teaching placements elsewhere, with an identified subject mentor that includes at least 100 hours of teaching and 75 hours of non-teaching each year.
Our partner college websites have more information for the part-time version of this PGCE:
Supporting you
Types of support
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need, your partner college should be your first point of contact for arranging reasonable adjustments.
However, our University specialist team is also available to offer advice and guidance if needed. We can help you:
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Explore reasonable adjustments in collaboration with your partner college
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Liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
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Connect with external services where appropriate
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Provide advice and support on accessing the Disabled Student Allowance (DSA)
There may be support available on this course through the partner college it is delivered by, for skills such as note taking, referencing and presentation skills. Please contact student services at the college for more information about accessing this type of support.
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University's library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from librarians who specialise in your subject.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
You can access information on the personal, emotional and mental health support available to you from your college. They can help you understand the support available locally, as well as other support that might be available to you to help you engage with your studies and improve your wellbeing.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no fixed deadline for applications to this course for UK applicants. We accept applications right up until the start date in September, as long as there are places available. If you wait until September to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying as an international student, please note that application deadlines may differ. You’ll need to allow enough time for your application to be processed and for visa arrangements.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students, as well as current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth, also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Guaranteed interviews for Portsmouth students and graduates
If you're a final year student or a graduate of one of our undergraduate degrees, you'll be guaranteed an interview if you apply for this PGCE course, regardless of your subject or when you graduated.
Ready to apply? If you're currently studying at Portsmouth or graduated with us last year, you can apply through fast track. Otherwise, apply as normal below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
Starting in September 2026 – part-time at a partner college
South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus
Starting in September 2027 – part-time at a partner college
South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2025, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
You'll usually receive a response to your application by email, so keep checking your inbox. If your application is successful, we'll invite you to an interview.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.