This certificate is presented in the following fields of specialisation: View PGCE Programme

• Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching (Grade 7 to 12)
• Further Education and Training Phase Teaching (Grade 10 to 12)

1. Requirements for admission

An appropriate Bachelor’s degree or accredited and approved Diploma is required for all the programmes. All prospective students who hold a 360-credit Diploma have to provide evidence that their Diplomas are approved and accredited by the Department of Higher Education and Training.

This is a selection programme, and although prospective students may comply with all academic requirements, the selection committee and the relevant departments involved, may select a limited number of students due to capacity and resources available.

Particular subject requirements for each phase are stipulated below:

1. Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching:

One (or more) degree modules passed at a second-year academic level (200) which correspond with one or more relevant subjects at school level for Senior Phase and one other / different (or more) degree modules passed at a third-year academic level (300) which corresponds with a relevant school subject at Further Education and Training Phase Teaching (check programme modules).

2. Further Education and Training Phase (FET) Teaching:

Option A: One degree module passed at a third-year academic level (300) which corresponds with a relevant school subject and a research project for students who do not qualify for a 2nd teaching specialization;

Option B: Two different degree modules passed at a third-year academic level (300) which corresponds with a relevant school subject (check programme modules).

2. Computer literacy

All students had to complete a computer literacy course as part of their first degree. If not, it will be expected of students to enrol for such a course concurrently.

3. African language competency

All students who successfully complete the PGCE should be partially proficient in at least one official African language or in South African Sign Language, as language of conversational competence. Students can write an exemption examination to determine the language competence.

4. Demonstration of subject-related skills

Some school subjects require the demonstration of skills. Candidates who apply may be asked to demonstrate these skills by way of various activities (including theory, practical examination or 1 portfolios). Subjects include: Visual Art; Drama; Music; Geography; Natural Science; Physical Science, Life Science and African Languages.

5. Duration

The programme extends over one year full-time.

6. Special examinations in the Faculty of Education

A final-year student, who has failed a maximum of three semester modules or their equivalent with a final mark of at least 40% in each, may be admitted by the Dean to a special examination in these modules during January of the following year, provided that this will enable the student to comply with all the requirements for the certificate.

7. Programme delivery

The PGCE consists of academic and teaching practice components. The academic learning components are presented in the format of integrated modules during which students construct a practice theory of and for education. The academic components run throughout the year. For the purpose of the teaching practice component, students place themselves in various partnerships schools. The first placement takes place in quarter two for six weeks in a school in the Pretoria region. The second teaching practice takes place in quarter three for six weeks in a different school in the Pretoria region. Students are fully engaged at the schools during teaching practice while they are supported and assessed by qualified mentor teachers and university lecturers.

8. Professional development

At the end of the year, students will have to submit a professional portfolio showing the integration of all the different modules during an oral examination. The date for submission will be announced at the beginning of the academic year.

9. Assessment

Continuous assessment is conducted on competence based criteria. Assessment and feedback will be done at the end of the first semester. At the end of the year students will present and defend their professional portfolio before a panel of examiners (internal and external) for final examination.

10. Certificate with distinction

The certificate will be awarded with distinction to a student who obtained 75% in each of the Professional development (PPF 401), Facilitating learning (FCL 401) and the specialisation module(s), as well as an average of 75% in all the other modules, with a minimum of 70% per module.

11. Package coordinator: Administrative enquiries:

​Dr Yolandi Woest
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +27 (0)12 420 5532

Miss Kayla Lottering
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 012 420 2904

12. Application enquiries:

Ms T Mngomezulu
Tel: +27 012 420 5615 
Email: [email protected]

Ms M Tshabalala 
Tel: + 27 012 420 5652
Email: [email protected]