University Calendar 2014/15
Section XIII : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Social and Human Sciences


PREFACE
CONTENTS
SEMESTERS
SECTION I
SECTION II
SECTION III
SECTION IV
SECTION V
SECTION VI
SECTION VII
SECTION VIII
SECTION IX
SECTION X
SECTION XI
SECTION XII
SECTION XIII
SECTION XIV
 
ARCHIVE 2008/9
ARCHIVE 2009/10
ARCHIVE 2010/11
ARCHIVE 2011/12
ARCHIVE 2012/13
ARCHIVE 2013/14
Academic Unit Southampton Education School
Final Award Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
Programme(s) Postgraduate Certification in Education:
  • Primary
  • Secondary
  • FE
  • School Direct
Intermediate exit awards:
Professional Graduate Certificate in Education
Last modified July 2014

Reference should be made to the University's General Regulations found in Section IV and Section V (Higher Degree Regulations) of the University Calendar.

Except where an opt-out has been granted by the University (see below) the following academic regulations apply in addition to the General Regulations.

1. Admissions
 
1.1 General
Students:
  1. must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Programmes as specified in Section IV of the University Calendar;

  2. must satisfy the necessary programme requirements as set out in the programme specification, outlined on the Southampton Education School website (see http://www.southampton.ac.uk/education/index.page?) and set out below.
1.2 Entry requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE passes at C or above in English and Mathematics. For admission to the PGCE Primary, applicants should hold GCSE passes at grade C or above in Science (preferably Double Science) or equivalent in addition to GCSE passes at C or above in English and Mathematics. An equivalency test, valid for University of Southampton PGCE programmes only, can be obtained from the Southampton Education School. Additionally applicants are expected to pass an assessment of medical fitness to teach. This is managed through the admissions procedures.
1.3 Disclosure and Barring Service
All applicants admitted to the programme are required to disclose any previous criminal convictions, cautions or bindovers irrespective of when they occurred. All applicants must agree to an enhanced criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This is administered as part of the admissions process.
1.4 Equal Opportunities
All individuals are selected and treated on their relative merits and abilities in line with the University's Equal Opportunities Policy. Disabled applicants will be treated according to the same procedure as any other applicant with the added involvement of the Enabling Services Office to assess their needs.


2. Structure of Programme(s)
 
2.1 The PGCE is a full-time, Masters (FHEQ level 7) programme with three distinct modules. The PGCE FE programme includes two additional modules taught at FHEQ level 5.
2.2 The normal duration of study is one academic year commencing in the autumn term and completing in the summer term.
2.3 The programme is designed to take students with at least degree level qualifications and to equip them with professional knowledge, understanding and capabilities relating to educational theory and practice in order to become professional and reflective teachers. For Primary and Secondary, the programmes' structure complies with statutory requirements in having periods of University-based work and placements in at least two different schools. The Primary and Secondary programmes require 120 days of school-based practice.
2.4 Students must also, through their school-based practice, acquire a portfolio of evidence demonstrating their competence against the Teachers' Standards. For Primary and Secondary, this is against the Teachers' Standards and for FE against the prevailing Professional Standards for Teachers in FE Learning and Skills. This process is supported jointly with the University and the practice schools/colleges where students are placed.
2.5 A full description of the content of the taught modules is published in the programme specification.


3. Progression
 
3.1 Students are assessed through a combination of University tasks and school-based reviews. Students are expected to pass through the Review Statements and complete University based work in order to progress. Failure to progress will initially be signalled through a Cause for Concern process. This process will detail the difficulties and identify action points and a deadline for improvement. Only when there is no clear indication of progress will students be advised that they cannot progress further. In cases where a student’s behaviour, health and/or professional conduct raises concern, the procedures associated with the University’s Fitness to Practice Policy will be invoked.
3.2 For Primary and Secondary trainees, the successful completion of the programme will lead to a recommendation of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). All FE trainees will be prepared for QTLS but this status is not conferred in the same way as for the schools route and it is the responsibility of the individual trainees to apply for QTLS following completion of training if they so desire.


4. Assessment
 
4.1 The PGCE award is approved through the Board of Examiners and awarded by Senate. The performance of students is assessed by the Board.  
4.2 Examination on the PGCE is coursework based. Submission dates are advised by tutors and published in the programme handbook, made available to students at the start of their programme of study.
4.3 Candidates who have been unsuccessful in the examination may submit themselves for re-examination on one occasion only. The conditions for re-examination will be prescribed by the Programme Board. Resubmission of written pieces will be made within 4 weeks of the Board of Examiners and approved through Chair of Board's action, unless there are extenuating operational or medical circumstances requiring further extension. If the resubmission still fails to meet the standard, the  candidate will be viewed to have failed.
4.4 Resubmission of the practical teaching element of the programme will be determined through recommendations made by the appropriate programme tutor. This resubmission of practice must take place within twelve months of initial failure.
4.5 Further details on the assessment process can be found in the programme handbook


5. Award of Qualification(s)
 
5.1 The final qualification is awarded at Pass/Fail only, with no distinctions or grades. All students who complete the programme and can demonstrate full achievement at Postgraduate Certificate level, showing FHEQ level 7 achievement in written coursework will be awarded the PGCE. A minority of students who demonstrate positive academic achievement but may not show full academic achievement at Postgraduate Certificate Level will receive a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education provided that they fulfil the criteria of the programme at level 6.
5.2 Modules are taught at FHEQ level 7 and have FHEQ level 7 marking criteria. However, in addition, modules have level 6 marking criteria to record outcomes for the minority of students who do not achieve at FHEQ level 7. The programme handbook provides detailed information about course content and marking criteria. The PGCE FE programme has two additional modules taught and assessed at FHEQ level 5.


6. Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork
 
6.1 All students are required to undertake and successfully complete school-based practice periods.
6.2 The programme is a combination of academic and practical study and students are expected to pass all areas of the programme to achieve their award.
6.3 In cases where a student’s behaviour, health and/or professional conduct raises concern, the procedures associated with the University’s Fitness to Practice Policy will be invoked.


7. Other
 
7.1 Students are required to satisfy the academic and the Attendance and Completion of Programme Requirements as set out in section IV of the University calendar, the programme specification and the programme handbook. Those students failing to do so may have their course terminated (see University Calendar Section IV: Transfer, Suspension, Withdrawal and Termination). Students are expected to attend at all times in all areas of the programme. Students are required to record their absence in a calendar in their own monitoring documents. Extended absence without due reason will be viewed as a significant cause for concern.
7.2 These regulations may be revised during the student's period of registration in accordance with the procedures approved by Senate.



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Last reviewed: 10-Aug-2014
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