The PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) is an initial teacher training qualification that students can apply for once they have completed their degree.
A student may apply for selection provided they have obtained a relevant bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent qualification approved by Senate as suitable for School teaching in the Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Phase of Schooling. Total credits for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education are 128.
The minimum entry qualification into a Postgraduate Certificate in Education is an approved undergraduate Bachelor’s degree (NQF Level 7 or 8), which includes appropriate and sufficient academic subject content knowledge to teach school subjects for a particular phase of schooling. The basic qualification should include at least 32 credits at Level 6 for teaching a Senior Phase subject specialisation and 64 credits (at least 32 credits at NQF Level 7) to teach a Further Education and Training subject specialisation.
The PGCE prepares graduates for teaching through an intensive one-year full-time programme.
The PGCE will enable students to register with the South African Council for Educators (SACE) as qualified teachers (refer to www.sace.org.za ).
We are currently offering a PGCE in the following TWO phase specialisations:
There are specific curriculum rules in the College of Humanities Handbook that must be adhered to:
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).
Further Education and Training phase subject specialisations (grades 10 to 12): Business Studies Teaching, Computer Application Technology Teaching (offered at EDW only), Dramatic Arts Teaching (offered at EDW only), Economics Teaching, English Home Language Teaching, English First Additional Language Teaching, Geography Teaching, (offered at EDW only), Information Technology Teaching (offered at EDW only), isiZulu Home Language Teaching, isiZulu First Additional Language Teaching, Life Sciences Teaching, Life Orientation Teaching, Mathematics Literacy Teaching, Mathematics Teaching FET, Music Teaching (offered at EDW only), Physical Sciences Teaching, Tourism Teaching (offered at EDW only), History Teaching (offered at EDW &PMB )
Senior Phase of General Education and Training subject specialisations: Creative Arts Teaching (offered at EDW only), Economic Management Sciences Teaching, Mathematics Teaching SP, Natural Science Teaching, Social Sciences Teaching, Technology Teaching
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 two PGCE programmes on offer namely:
International students’ qualifications must be verified by SAQA to ensure equivalence to the relevant NQF levels of the South African framework. The school reserves the right to admission. Candidates are subject to a selection process based on the candidate’s academic record and will include academic ranking as one of the criteria for selection. See contact details below for staff dealing with admissions.
The PGCE consists of eight modules of 16 credits each = 128 credits:
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Education Studies: Compulsory Module Teaching, Learning and Contexts: EDES612 (16 credits) | Education Studies: Compulsory Module Curriculum and Policy: EDES613 (16 credits) |
| Compulsory Module: School Experience 601 EDTP611 (16 credits) (consists of campus-based component AND school-based component – teaching practice in schools in the second school term: April-May) | Compulsory Module: School Experience 602 EDTP612 (16 credits) (consists of campus-based component AND school-based component – teaching practice in schools in third school term: July-Aug) |
| Teaching Subject Specialisation 1 First Semester Module (16 credits) | Teaching Subject Specialisation 1 Second Semester Module (16 credits) |
| Teaching Subject Specialisation 2 First Semester Module (16 credits) | Teaching Subject Specialisation 2 Second Semester Module (16 credits) |
| Language Proficiency (0 credits) * | Computer Literacy (0 credits)* |
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.
UKZN online applications for the programme open every year on the 1st of July. The system is user-friendly. For the application to be finalised and processed, certified documents must be uploaded. It is, therefore, recommended that these documents are electronically accessible for uploading at the time of application. Once the application is complete, a student number is immediately issued with details of the application fee payable, banking details, and a reference number to use when making payment.
Visit the UKZN online application website URL link to complete your application:
NB: Applications usually open in July every year. The closing date for applications for admission to the programme is 30 September (late applications may not be accepted).
Application Fees (non-refundable)
No application fee is payable if there has not been a break in studies (for UKZN current students only). Applicants who have been out of the system for a full academic year or more or new applicants into UKZN will be required to pay an application fee.
A non-refundable application fee is payable on submission of the application form.
SA applicants on-time – R210
SA applicants late – R420
SADC and Africa – R490
Countries outside Africa – $153
No late international applications accepted.
Application fees for SA applicants can be paid into:
Name of Account: UKZN Main
Bank: Standard Bank
Type of Account: Business Current Account
Account Number: 05 308 0998
Branch: Westville
Branch Code: 045426
Reference: reference number plus student number
Application fees for international applicants can be paid into:
Name of Account: UKZN Foreign Deposit
Bank: Standard Bank
Type of Account: Business Current Account
Account Number: 05 308 2826
Branch: Westville
Branch Code: 045426
Reference: reference number plus student number
Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ
Please provide your details on the deposit slip (student number or full names) and attach a copy of the proof of payment to your application.
The estimated tuition fee for 2024 is ± R32 000, more accurate amounts may be obtained from the student fees department. For fee structures, please refer to https://www.ukzn.ac.za/ and from ‘Student Portal’, select the 2023 Fees Booklet. Note that fees quoted are for 2023. Please allow for an increase of at least 5-10% for 2024.
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. For further details contact the Funza Lushaka Administrator: Email: Funzalushaka@ukzn.ac.za | Tel: +27 (0) 31 260 3787
For further enquiries please contact the Admissions Officers in the School of Education.