Learning and Teaching Committee

Subject: Award of PGCE on MSc in Education with Qualified Teacher Status

Origin Secretary to Curriculum Sub-Committee

In June 2006 Senate approved the introduction of the PGCE/PGDip/MSc in Education with QTS in Design & Technology/Science/Physical Education from 2006/07. The PGCE was to be awarded as an exit award on successful completion of Year 1 of the programme. For students entering Year 2 having completed the PGCE element, or having exemption from Year 1 by virtue of an existing PGCE award, the understanding was that double-counting would be avoided by students relinquishing their Loughborough PGCE award, in accordance with University practice.

The following information has become available from the Teacher Education Unit that would suggest that the PGCE award should not be rescinded:

Without a PGCE students would not be allowed to teach in New Zealand, Australia or Canada as this is the only external teaching qualification recognised by these governments.

Nottingham, Nottingham Trent, Newcastle and Leicester Universities allow students to retain their PGCE when awarding a Masters.

It is therefore proposed that the MSc in Education with QTS be considered a special case such that students entering Year 2 of the programme on the basis of a PGCE award from the University are not required to relinquish that PGCE award.

It is proposed that the Master's transcript should indicate that the student began with advanced standing of 60 PGCE credits and the transcript would then record the detail of the other 120 credits completed on the Master's programme.

Author – Jennie Elliott

Date – February 2007