What is a PGCE?
A Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is a professional qualification that allows a 3 year Bachelors Degree graduate the opportunity to become a qualified teacher. These qualifications essentially “cap” an academic qualification and allow graduates to register with the South African Council of Educators (SACE). There are 4 teaching phases that one may choose to specialize in, they are as follows;
- Foundation Phase (Grade R – 3)
- Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 – 7)
- Senior Phase (Grade 7 – 9)
- Further Education and Training (Grade 10 – 12)
What is SACE?
SACE is a statutory body for professional educators that aims to inspire a credible teaching profession in South Africa. SACE is responsible for safeguarding public confidence in the teaching profession by registering and monitoring educators that are fit to teach. They also aim to enhance the profession through the management of professional development and inculcation of a Code of Ethics for all educators.
Studying a PGCE?
A PGCE can take between 1 and 2 years to complete and can be done full- or part-time. There are also some universities that offer these programmes via distance learning, however there will always be a practical aspect (Work-Integrated Learning/Teaching Practice) that will need to be completed in a school environment under supervision. Upon the successful completion of the PGCE training, graduates may apply to register with SACE and become qualified teachers.
Admission Requirements.
Prospective PGCE students must have at least obtained an undergraduate *Bachelors Degree. These Bachelors Degrees must include appropriate and sufficient academic knowledge to teach school subjects for a specific Phase, usually 2 subjects.
Some universities require PGCE students to have obtained a minimum of 60% in each of their major subjects during their undergraduate Bachelors Degree. This pertains specifically to majors that align with schooling level teaching subjects.
*Those that studied a professional Bachelors of Education (B.Ed) needn’t complete a PGCE as that professional qualification would already lead to registration.
Where can I study a PGCE?
Cognition & Co have searched for every PGCE programme in South Africa and created the following list of institutions. Our Research Team is constantly searching and updating this list, so make sure to check back regularly for updates.
| University | Specialisation | Duration | Full or Part Time | Location | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNISA | Senior Phase & FET | 2 years | Part Time | Distance Learning | UNISA |
| NMU | Senior Phase & FET | 1 year | Full Time | Port Elizabeth | NMU |
| NMU | FET | 1 year | Full Time | Port Elizabeth | NMU |
| MANCOSA | FET | 1 year 6 months | Full Time | Distance Learning | MANOSA |
| Varsity College | Senior Phase & FET | 2 years | Part Time | Contact | VC |
| Stadio | Senior Phase & FET | 1 year | Full Time | Distance | STADIO |
| WITS | Senior Phase & FET | 1 year 2 years | Full Time Part Time | Johannesburg | WITS |
| UCT | Foundation Phase | 1 year | Full Time | Cape Town | UCT |
| UCT | Intermediate Phase | 1 year | Full Time | Cape Town | |
| UCT | Senior Phase & FET | 1 year | Full Time | Cape Town | |
| UCT | FET | 1 year | Full Time | Cape Town | |
| Cornerstone | Foundation Phase | 2 years | Part Time | Distance Learning | Cornerstone |
| Cornerstone | Intermediate Phase | 2 years | Part Time | Distance Learning | Cornerstone |
| UKZN | Senior Phase & FET | 1 year | Full Time | Durban | UKZN |
| UKZN | FET | 1 year | Full Time | Durban | |
| UP | Senior Phase & FET | 1 year | Full Time | Pretoria | UP |
| UP | FET | 1 year | Full Time | Pretoria | |
| TUT | FET | 1 year | Full Time | Soshanguve | TUT |
| CUT | Senior Phase & FET | 1 year 2 years | Full Time Part Time | Bloemfontein | CUT |
| UWC | |||||
| Stellenbosch University | FET | 1 year | Full Time | Stellenbosch | SUN |
| Rhodes University | Senior Phase & FET | 1 year | Full Time | Grahamstown | RU |
| NWU | Senior Phase & FET | Full Time | Campuses & Distance Learning | NWU | |
| Two Oceans Education Foundation | Senior Phase & FET | 1 year 2 years | Full Time Part Time | Distance Learning | TOGI |
| CPUT | FET | 1 year 2 years | Full Time Part Time | Mowbray Campus | CPUT |
| UJ | Senior Phase | 1 year | Full Time | Johannesburg | UJ |
| UJ | FET | 2 years | Part Time | Johannesburg | |
| UFS | Senior Phase & FET | 1 year | Full Time | Free State | UFS |
| WSU | Senior Phase & FET | 1 year 2 years | Full Time Part Time | Queenstown | WSU |
| UL | FET | 1 year | Full Time | Limpopo | UL |
| UFH | Foundation Phase | 1 year | Full Time | East London | UFH |
| UFH | FET | 1 year | Full Time | Alice | UFH |
Frequently Asked Questions.
- Do I have to be able to speak an African language?
You do not have to be proficient in an African language to be able to study a PGCE but it is a requirement to take an African language as a subject while studying for a PGCE.
- Do I have to be computer literate?
If you have not already completed a computer proficiency module in your undergraduate degree, you will have to take a computer and information studies module with your PGCE.
- What subjects can I teach?
The subjects that you majored in for your undergraduate degree or diploma will determine which subjects you will be able to teach. We will create a list of these subject equivalencies shortly. For example, if you majored in psychology you could teach Life Orientation.
- Is it an academic or practical course?
It is mainly an academic course but there is practical training which occurs at a school that needs to be completed. This is called Work Integrated Learning (WIL).
- Can a PGCE be done online?
Yes, some of the institutions offer the course online, but you would still need to do the practical components in person.
- How are the practical components done if offered online?
Even if you are studying your PGCE online you would still have to complete the practical training.
- When do I register with SACE?
As a student you can provisionally register with SACE; however, you can only fully register once you have completed your PGCE.
- If I do a Primary phase PGCE, can I teach Grade 10/11/12?
No, you can only teach the grades that you studied for. For example, FET is grades 10/11/12.
- Do I have to work in a government school?
No, as a qualified registered teacher you are able to work in any school.
Information above compiled by Research Assistant, Shannon Lewis.