New – Postgraduate Certificate in Education International – PGCEi – Starts Sept ’23

Both LJMU and Portobello Institute aim to deliver transformative education, which is marked by inquiry, discovery and creative dialogue between students and staff.  There is a natural synergy between LJMU’s curriculum design and pedagogies for excellence in teaching, learning and assessment in the programme, and the approaches and philosophy of Portobello Institute.

An inclusive and accessible academic environment

Cultivating an inclusive and accessible academic environment for all sections of society is articulated in both institutions’ visions and embedded in the proposed programme’s philosophy and learning journey for students interested in socially just, transformative policies, concepts and research-informed practices in education and educational contexts.

An international programme with localised context

The curriculum design and pedagogy is intended to offer a coherent academic experience. Academics from the LJMU School of Education have extensive experience of curriculum and assessment design, along with expertise in a range of education contexts and critical understanding of theories and philosophies of education and educational contexts.

This is an international programme; the use of culturally appropriate practice scenarios, policy critiques and case studies have been integrated throughout the programme, so that these are examined in local educational contexts.

Practical Placements

You will be required to complete a practical placement as part of the requirements for this programme. There will be set tasks for you to complete and if you are already working in an educational environment, these hours can be used as your placement provided you can complete the tasks required. You will be required to complete 20 days placement, this can be completed as follows;

• One block of 4 weeks
• One block of one-day-a-week for 20-weeks
• Two blocks of two weeks
• Two blocks of one day a week for 10 weeks.

There is some flexibility if this schedule does not fit with your work/home life.

Personal Academic Tutor

Each student is assigned a personal academic tutor to support you throughout your learning journey. They are available to offer you telephone and email support at any time. You can arrange to meet them for further one to one guidance at a time convenient to you.

Many of our past graduates have found it is the opportunity to ask a simple question, seek direction and submit a draft of their assessment that supported them most to successful completion. Emailing your tutor at any stage during your programme to ask a query or submit a draft of your assessment supports you to achieve your personal best throughout your studies with Portobello.

This level of one to one support is a particular benefit to choosing Portobello as your Institute of choice to complete your studies.

Delivery Mode

This PGCEi has been specifically designed for delivery by online learning, with one to one tutorial support and modular webinars designed specifically to prepare you to complete the module. It is very suited to you if you are working full-time with limited spare time yet you want to achieve your postgraduate qualification.

Each module commences with an induction webinar and you will meet your lead lecturer during this session.  You will be able to log-in and “attend” the lecture even if you are off-site or you can re-visit the lecture at a later date through our online portal. You can upload your assessments and your lecturer will give you feedback on whether you are on the right track before you submit the final version.

What is a webinar?

A webinar, in the context of online learning, is a lecturer delivering a presentation or class online to a group of students. We use specifically designed e-learning software so you can participate in the class just as if you were present in the same room. You can ask a question of the lecturer at any stage during the class.

Interactive break-out rooms

The software is designed with “break-out rooms” where you can discuss a topic or complete a group exercise with a smaller group from your class. You will need a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone that has internet connection, an audio facility so you can hear and speak during the class and a camera so your lecturer and fellow class participants can see you.

Secure online learning environment

The webinar is a secure online environment and only those permitted entry by the lecturer can gain access to the “classroom”. Webinars are recorded during each session and should you miss a session, you can catch up with the recorded session at a later date. You will only be able to access Webinars of the group you are assigned to.

Course Structure

This course is delivered over 3 semesters with supported webinars held during scheduled weekends. This programme consists of three core modules. You will complete one module in each semester.

Each module has 2 *  one day webinars designed to support the student to complete the modules scheduled for that semester. Webinars are generally held on a Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Attendance at webinars is recommended for an optimal learning experience and achievement. Webinars are delivered with the purpose of introducing the module lecturer, setting out the learning outcomes, content, the assessment strategy and expectations for skills/knowledge development.

All of the course material is held on an online learning portal which is an easy to use online platform specifically designed for online learning programmes. During the induction, students will be introduced to the platform with practical demonstration of how to use the portal and access lessons quickly and easily. To complete this course, students must have a basic knowledge of using a computer and searching the internet for research purposes.

You will be required to complete a practical placement of 20 days – this can be completed in multiple ways as detailed below and you may also complete this placement if you are currently employed in an educational environment.

• One block of 4 weeks
• One block of one-day-a-week for 20-weeks
• Two blocks of two weeks
• Two blocks of one day a week for 10 weeks.

There is some flexibility if this schedule does not fit with your work/home life.

Peer to Peer Support

Learning from the experience of other students is often cited as an integral part of any learning journey through a programme. This programme is conducted primarily online and to achieve peer to peer learning, we create study groups. This is a group of students either with a similar research interest or located regionally for ease of “meeting up”. Many graduates tell us that the relationships they build in their study group, offers them a professional network to tap into through out their careers as well as some lifelong friendships.

Tutor Support

You can email your tutor during the module to ask a simple query or submit a draft of your assessment. Our programme management team are available to offer you telephone and email support and if you need to, you can arrange to meet them for further one to one guidance.

For more information about our team, click here. Portobello Institute has invested in a team of programme managers and tutors who are experienced early years practitioners as well as qualified and knowledgeable educators. They are available to assist you during your learning journey through this programme.

Online Learning Portal

During the induction webinar, we will show you how to navigate and find what you need with all of the information you need to complete this programme uploaded on to the learning portal. The content of this programme is set out in an easy to follow format with a combination of notes, articles, podcasts and other materials that will help you to understand the subject and complete your assessment. You will need basic computer skills to search the internet and type a word document to complete your assignment.

Choosing a course that will lead you to your career of choice is a significant decision. Understanding the delivery modes, supports available, career opportunities and further study options are all key considerations when making your choice. Our course adviser team are experts in the courses Portobello offers, the employment prospects and possible progression routes to Masters programmes – they will guide you through the detail and support you with any queries you may have.

It is important you make the right choice for you and choose the Institute and course that will best suit your needs.

Your Consultant

Shardé Sebastian

Book a consultation

Entry to this postgraduate certificate is by direct application to Portobello Institute.

There are entry criteria available to students with differing qualifications however students must hold a relevant honours degree (at least 2:2) and it is preferable you work in an educational environment.

Please note places on this course are restricted and places only confirmed once tuition fees have been received. Early Application is advised.

Fees

Full Payment

Easy Payment Plan

Deposit of 33%. Balance payable in 8 equal instalments commencing the 1st of the month after the course commences. There is an additional fee of €365 applied to instalment plan. All additional fees such as exam body registration fees and instalment plan admin fees are included in the easy payment plan detailed.