MSc in education
At Loughborough, all trainee teachers follow the same one year, full-time course and exit with either the Post-Graduate Certificate in Education or the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education. The Post-Graduate Certificate is a masters (M) level award, whilst the Professional Graduate Certificate is an undergraduate (H) level award. Both awards lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and require successful completion of two teaching practices and adequate evidence of meeting the full range of QTS Standards.
In order to attain the Post-Graduate Certificate in Education, a trainee must achieve a mark of over 50% in each of the three core modules on the PGCE course (General Professional Studies and Professional Studies 1 and 2 in their specialist subject). Trainees who do not achieve a mark of 50% for each of these 3 core modules are awarded the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education, providing that a minimum mark of 40% was attained (at H level) for each of these modules.
Trainees obtaining a mark of less than 40% for a module are entitled to one re-sit opportunity in an attempt to pass it at either M or H level. All modules must be passed at 40% or above to receive a PGCE with QTS. Trainees who attain a mark between 40% and 49% are entitled to one re-sit opportunity in an attempt to pass at masters level (Level 7) and ultimately attain the Post-Graduate Certificate in Education. Re-submitted work is capped at a maximum mark of 50%. Alternatively, the assessed work can be reviewed at Level 6 (H level) which contributes towards attainment of the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education.
The Post-Graduate Certificate in Education represents the first year of the MSc in Education with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), the remainder of which is optional and is completed part-time whilst teaching. The entire programme has been designed specifically to complement teachers’ work in schools. It is an innovative and exciting programme that provides an opportunity to acquire a masters degree in the early years of teaching and offers enhanced opportunities for rapid professional development.
In order to qualify for the award of an MSc in Education with QTS, 180 credits need to be acquired as follows:
Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (full-time - 90 credits): This requires successful completion of: three core modules (with marks of 50% or more for each module); two teaching practices in two different secondary schools; and adequate evidence of meeting the full range of QTS Standards.
Research into Teaching and Learning (full-time – 30 credits): This module is delivered in the week immediately following the PGCE course and focuses on developing the understanding and skills required to successfully undertake a research project during the early years of teaching.
Research Project (part-time - 60 credits): This is a distance learning module comprising a school-based research project within the student’s specialist subject. This can be undertaken from the second year of teaching onwards.
In support of the teacher, there is extensive online and e-mail support in addition to peer support (through the social networks established during the PGCE year).
Any individuals who decide not to proceed with the Research Project may take the award of a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education with QTS, providing they have successfully completed 120 credits.
Normal part-time university fees apply for the masters degree modules (beyond the PGCE year). Schools may wish to support teachers with thefees as part of their professional development. The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) currently supports teachers involved in professional development via masters degree courses