Qualifications and Progression
The Faculty's programme of further and continuing professional development is based around a model that enables practitioners to combine the study of different certificates and through so build towards an Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Masters in Education.
Specifications for the individual qualifications can be found using the menu on the right, while information on progression is below.
Progression Routes
In line with recent developments within the Training and Development Agency, the Faculty has been working with the University to make it possible for participants on PPD courses to accumulate credits towards the Postgraduate Diploma and Masters qualifications.
It has always been possible for course members to gain credit from Certificate courses towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Studies, but we have simplified the process to make this more attractive and accessible. Equally, this restructuring of our qualifications has meant that - since September 2005 - it has become possible for course members to build up a profile of qualifications leading, through time, towards a Masters degree. The aim is to provide more flexible provision for teachers who want to study for further degrees, and to enhance further our practice-based routes to Masters qualifications, whilst at the same time providing more continuity and progression between the CPD/PPD courses we offer at different levels.
This model:
- enables students to continue to engage with a wide variety of Postgraduate Certificate of Professional Studies courses in order to gain PCPS qualifications;
- enables students to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Studies by completing one Postgraduate Certificate of Professional Studies courses and a Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Research
- provides a new route to the Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Studies comprising 60 hours of PCPS study (with written work equivalent to 4,000 words) and attendance at two Masters/Diploma modules with 12,000 words of practice-focused written work;
- opens up the possibility of access into the Master of Education programme, subject to interview.
Progression to Masters
Candidates who are awarded a 'distinction' in the PCER element of their Postgraduate Diploma will be eligible to apply to join Year 2 of the Masters degree course (subject to successful interview). *A distinction can only be awarded if the marker is confident that the report is of a sufficiently high standard to contribute towards the Year 1 assessments of the Masters degree.