The course is a one or two-year part-time online programme comprising of one 60 credit Master's level module. It is self-study, and we expect students to complete at least three hours of study per week.

Students will be required to produce a portfolio for assessment. The nature of the portfolio assessments will allow the students to demonstrate their academic skills across a broad range of media such as an annotated video presentation, oral presentation, reflective learning journal, in-tray exercise, and written assignment. The assessment is multi-modal, so you select from a range of media to evidence that a learning outcome has been achieved. The modules are set out as follows: 

Reflection (September to October) 
Reflective Practice
Critical Writing Skills 
Ethical Classroom/Teacher Professionalism 

Theory (October to November) 
Theories of Learning
Theories of Motivation 
Behaviour and Relationships 
Effective Learning Environments 

Practice (November - January) 
Adaptive Teaching 
Metacognition/Cognitive Science: A Critical Perspective 
Assessment and Feedback 
Assessment and Feedback: A Critical Perspective 

Policy (January - February) 
The Curriculum 
Global Educational Context 
Education Policy and Practice 

Reflections (February - April)
Reflections 
Ethical Classroom/Teacher Professionalism 
Critical Writing Skills Workshop 
Portfolio Workshop 

Participants will be require to make a final portfolio submission in May, to complete their post-graduate qualification. 

The PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate of Education) is an additional optional element of the LSJS initial teacher training course. It is open to anyone who has been accepted to School Direct Primary, School Direct Secondary and the Apprenticeship routes. 

The PGCE is awarded through the University of Lincoln and taught elements will take place via regular webinars on Wednesday evenings. 

The award is equivalent to 60 credits (one third) of a Master’s Degree, reducing the amount of time, the fee, and number of modules you will need to study if you choose to continue to a Master’s degree.

The PGCE tuition fees for School Direct students registering for the academic year 2026 - 2027 will be £1,500. 

There is no PGCE tuition fee for those on the Apprenticeship route.

Click here for the LSJS Participation Agreement including fee terms and conditions 

To apply, download the PGCE Application Form and send it back to us or email Suzanne Wayland, Academic Registrar if you need support with your application.

The Application Process

Once we receive your application, we will review it and if eligible, we will invite you to interview, either on campus or online.

We look forward to meeting you and helping you take this important step forward in your academic and professional career.