Teacher Training

Entry Requirements

For 2024 entry, you will need:

• A minimum of a Level 3 qualification in all the specialist subjects¹ they will be teaching (if different to degree subject)
• GCSE English at grade C/4 or above (or OfQual approved equivalent²)
• GCSE mathematics at grade C/4 or above (or OfQual approved equivalent²)
• Where English is not the applicant's first language: The ability to communicate fluently, accurately and effectively in professional spoken English (IELTS 7.5 with no element lower than 7.0 (or equivalent) ³
• A teaching contract or a voluntary placement across two institutions, that includes:
• A minimum of 150 hours of teaching practice (including 20 hours online synchronous teaching)³
• A minimum of 100 hours of non-teaching practice
• A named subject specialist mentor in the primary placement location
• A named pastoral mentor in the primary placement location
• Completion of a satisfactory course interview
• Completion of a satisfactory subject interview
• Provide confirmation of an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Pre-service applicants wishing to teach in a school, or sixth form attached to a school will also checked against the prohibition list

Prior Learning and Experience

University Centre St Helens welcomes applications from mature students (aged 21+) and students from a varied range of backgrounds and experience. Offers of a place on the degree will not be based solely upon academic qualifications alone and related skills gained in the workplace will also be considered.

Additional Entry Requirements

All suitably qualified applicants will be invited to attend an interview. Your interview is designed to provide you with an opportunity for you to discuss and explore your career interests with the Programme Leader.

DBS Check

Your placement will require you to have an up-to-date DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate. The current cost of this is £44 for an enhanced check. If you are already employed as a teacher, this will already have been done by your employer.

If you have criminal convictions or cautions, please do not be put off from applying for this qualification. Your acceptance will depend on the nature of any convictions and will be at the discretion of University Centre St Helens and your placement provider.

Teaching Placement/Place of Work

It is a mandatory requirement of this qualification that when in the placement/place of work, the trainee teacher is assigned a subject specialist mentor. The mentor must be prepared to attend an initial mentor training session delivered by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), as well as support the trainee teacher on a weekly basis throughout their teaching placement/place of work.

University Centre St Helens may be able to provide some voluntary teaching placements within St Helens College and Knowsley Community College's curriculum departments, but places are limited and are subject to availability, references and DBS clearance.

If you are a pre-service applicant, you need to take responsibility for finding yourself a suitable teaching placement as a condition of this qualification, in order to undertake the required minimum teaching hours in each year of the two-year programme.

If you are not currently in a teaching role, then as a pre-service applicant, you could apply to St Helens College and Knowsley Community College to see if any volunteer teaching placements may be available.

There is a process for applying for a volunteer teaching placement and it is carried out by our Human Resources Department. For further information on volunteer placements, please contact Sheila Halse on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01744 623848.

Information for International Applicants

If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national, you may need to apply for a Tier 4 visa in order to enter and study in the UK. However, please note that University Centre St Helens does not hold a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence to support student visa applications.

Learning Environment and Assessment

In the first year of study, students attend University Centre St Helens at our St Helens Campus, one day per week on a Thursday, from 9.30am to 4.30pm and in the second year, on a Tuesday, from 9.30am - 4.30pm. However, this is subject to change and confirmed timetable information will be provided upon application.

Additionally, you will need to undertake a minimum of 75 hours of teaching practice per year of the qualification, ensuring the minimum of 150 hours is achieved across the two years.

Throughout the qualification, you'll be assessed by essays and presentations, including group presentations, portfolio building as well as self-assessment and peer-assessment methods.

On your placement/place of work, you will be formally observed teaching on eight occasions. That is four observations in year one and another four observations in year two. The assessments are designed to showcase the opportunities within the sector and help prepare you for teaching roles.

The course consists of three modules each year: Two semester-long modules and one year-long modules, focused on your professional teaching practice. (All modules are 20 credits.)

YEAR ONE

• TS1107: Teaching, Learning and Assessment
• TS1106: Preparation for Education and training
• TS2304: Curriculum Design and Assessment

YEAR TWO

• TS3301: Developing Teaching, Learning and Assessment
• TS2301: Action Research OR TS4301: Action Research (PGCE)
• TS2306: Wider Perspectives in Education and Training OR TS4304: Wider Perspectives in Education and Training (PGCE)

The course consists of one full day per week of centre-based training/study at St Helens College campus and at least 1-2 teaching sessions per week in your placement setting, where you will be supported by a subject specialist Mentor. You will complete a minimum of 75 hours teaching in your placement setting each year (150 hours in total).

Tuition Fees

For 2024 entry, tuition fees for full-time (evening study) are £3,995 per year.

Additional Costs

Course-Related Travel (Placements/Work Experience/Voluntary/Site Visits	Variable dependent on the distance travelled and the method of transportation. Students are required to undertake a mandatory formal work placement and a DBS check will be required. Approximate cost is £44.
Materials and Printing	Core texts, journals and reading lists should generally be available in the St Helens Town Centre Campus Library or University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). However, students may prefer to buy their own copies. These can be purchased from any source. Printing costs in relation to assignment submissions may vary. A list of University Centre St Helens' printing costs can be found via www.sthelens.ac.uk/printroom. For the UCLan documentation pack which forms the basis of your teaching file throughout year one and two, you will complete an online 'Portfolio of Professional Achievement'.
Equipment	Students will provide their own day-to-day stationary items e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks. Optional choice of technology to enhance your teaching practice e.g. laptop, clicker.
Trips	Various travel and entry costs throughout the academic year if visit arranged.

Financial Support

Subject to eligibility, students can apply for a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England to cover the full cost of tuition fees, which means you don't have to pay anything upfront and there's nothing to pay back until you're qualified and earning over £481 a week, £2,083 a month or £25,000 a year. You may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs. Visit our finance support page for more information.

Careers and Progression

Successful completion of this qualification offers you a wide range of teaching opportunities across the post-age 16 education sector, in organisations including:

• Further education colleges
• Sixth forms
• Adult and community learning
• NHS
• Prison service or police service
• Private sector training organisations

Upon successful completion, you can progress on to the BA (Hons) Education Studies at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), as you will have achieved 180 credits (50% of the award) by completing the Certificate in Education (Education and Training).

Graduation Ceremony

Celebrate your incredible achievements at our University Centre St Helens Graduation Ceremony. Join us alongside your family and friends for a day filled with pride, joy, and unforgettable moments. Discover all the details about this special event by visiting our dedicated page: www.sthelens.ac.uk/graduation.

University of Central Lancashire will also invite you along to join their celebratory day. To discover more about their Graduation Ceremony, visit Graduation www.uclan.ac.uk/graduation

Complaints

If you have a complaint, please submit this via our Informal Complaints Enquiry Form, by visiting www.sthelens.ac.uk/compliments-and-complaints. Alternatively, you can contact us on 01744 623129 and speak to our Customer Services Manager, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For further information about our University Centre St Helens Policies and Procedures, such as the Admissions Policy, Complaints Procedure and Fees Policy, please visit our University Centre St Helens Policies and Procedures page.