2025 APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!

Rhodes University is a contact University, and students are required to attend face to face lectures on the Rhodes University campus in Makhanda.

Whilst Rhodes University has accreditation to offer the PGCE in Foundation Phase teaching and Intermediate Phase teaching; we are currently only offering the PGCE for the combined Senior Phase and Further Education & Training.

Overview of the PGCE SP/FET

This is a one-year*, full-time* course that can be applied for on completing a Bachelor's degree. It prepares graduates for teaching in the Senior Phase (Grades 7 to 9) and the Further Education and Training band (Grades 10 to 12). The National Department of Education recognises the qualification. It is also recognised and valued internationally.

*A two-year, part-time option is available in exceptional cases through special permission.

The PGCE is an in-attendance qualification; it is not offered through distance learning and online learning.

Entry requirements

Admission to the PGCE programme is based on what subjects have been studied in the undergraduate degree according to the Department of Higher Education and Training guidelines.

The admission requirements of the PGCE (Senior Phase & FET Teaching) are:

An appropriate bachelor’s or higher degree
Applicants must have obtained a minimum average of 60% of their undergraduate degree
Subjects to teach one teaching method at the FET level and one at FET or SP level, see the tables below:

TEACHING METHODS AND SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS

Senior Phase: Grades 7 - 9

Minimum entry requirements for Senior Phase: 65% average for method subject at the second year of undergraduate degree

School subject	University subject(s) and minimum year level
Coding and Robotics	A combination of any two of the following subjects: Computer Science, Electronics, Information Technology, Information Systems, Applied Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics with one of the following subjects at the second-year level: Computer Science, Information Systems, or Electronics
Creative Arts	At least two subjects from a range of appropriate Arts subjects, one of which must be at a second-year level e.g. Music, Drama, Anthropology, Classics, Dance Studies, Visual Arts, Design, and Theatre Arts.
Economic and Management Sciences	A combination of any two of the following subjects, one of which must be at a second-year level; Accounting, Management or Economics.
Languages - First Additional Language	English: English 2 AND one of the following: English and Linguistics 1, Applied Language Studies 1, African Literature 1, Literary Theory 1, Communication and Media Studies 1. isiXhosa: isiXhosa (Mother-Tongue) 2 OR isiXhosa (Additional Language) 2 Afrikaans:Afrikaans 2 OR Afrikaans additional Language 2
Languages - Home Language	A 2nd year in that language
Life Orientation	A combination of two of the following subjects at a second-year; Psychology, Philosophy, Anthropology, Sociology, Social Work, HKE, Politics, Labour Studies, Industrial Studies. Psychology MUST be one of the subjects.
Marine Sciences	Combination of two of the following undergraduate subjects: Environmental Sciences, Economics, Sociology, Geography, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, Microbiology, Physiology, Biology, Botany,Zoology, Ichthyology, With one taken at the third-year level at least, provided that second-year modules in Biology or Botany and Zoology are included. Each application would be considered on its individual merits.
Mathematics	Mathematics 2
Natural Sciences	A combination of at least one subject from Life Sciences AND Physical Sciences, e.g. Botany 1, Biology 1, Chemistry 1, Earth Sciences 1, Geography 1, Geology 1, Physics 1, Zoology 1, Physical Geography 1, Environmental Science 1, Biological Sciences. One of which must be at a second-year level
Social Sciences	Geography 2 +History 1 OR History 2 +Geography 1
NB: Applicant must obtain a minimum average of 65% in a relevant second-year subject

PGCE

TEACHING METHODS AND SUBJECTS REQUIREMENTS

Further Education and Training Band: Grades 10 – 12

Minimum entry requirements for Further Education and Training band: 60% average for method subject at the third year of undergraduate degree

School subject	University subject(s) and minimum year level
Accounting	Accounting 3
Business Studies	Management 3
Information Technology	Computer Science 2 OR Computer Science 3 + Information Systems 3
Computer Applications Technology	Computer Science 2 OR Information Systems 3
Design	A combination of subjects from a range of appropriate technology-related subjects at a third year level, e.g. Fine Art Practice, Computer Science, Design Studies, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering, Graphic Design, Architecture, Fashion Design, Interior Design. Each application is to be examined and decided on its merits, including consideration of matric subjects.
Dramatic Arts	Drama 3
Economics	Economics 3
Geography	Geography 3 or Environmental Science 3
History	History 3
Language - First Additional Language	The particular language at 2nd-year level English: English 3 AND one of the following: Linguistics 1, Applied Language Studies 1, African Literature 1, Literacy Theory 1, Communication and Media Studies 1 OR English 2 + Linguistics 3 isiXhosa: isiXhosa (Mother Tongue) 3 OR isiXhosa (Additional Language) 3
Language - Home Language	The particular language at 3rd-year level e.g. English 3 OR English 2 AND Linguistics 3, Applied Language Studies 3, African Literature 3, Literacy Theory 3, Communications and Media Studies 3 isiXhosa (Mother Tongue) 3 Afrikaans 3
Life Orientation	Psychology 3 AND one of the following subjects; Philosophy, Anthropology, Sociology, Social Work, HKE, Politics, Labour Studies, Industrial Studies at a second-year level.
Life Sciences	Combination of any two of the following: Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Physiology, Biology, and Zoology, with one taken at the third-year level at least, is required to specialize in Life Sciences Teaching, provided that second-year modules in Biology or Botany and Zoology are also included.
Mathematics	Mathematics 3 OR Mathematics 2 + Maths Stats 3/Applied Maths 3
Mathematical Literacy	Matric Mathematics + one or more of a range of subjects in the Mathematical field at a second-year: Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Mathematical Modelling, Numerical Analysis, Dynamics and Mechanics. Each application will be considered on merit.
Music	Musicology 3 + Instrument at 2nd-year level + Theory of Music (Grade 8) + Piano (Grade 5)
Physical Sciences	Physics 3 + Chemistry 1 OR Physics 1 + Chemistry 3
Visual Arts	Art History and Visual Culture 3 AND Fine Art Practice 3, e.g. Drawing, Multimedia, Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Ceramic Art, Fibre and Textiles, Heavy Metal and Jewellery Arts.
NB: Applicant must obtain a minimum average of 60% in a relevant third-year subject

NOTE: Any method subject in the PGCE programme will only be offered if a minimum of 10 students register for the method subject

Course Outcomes

Learners will demonstrate the ability to:

think critically, analytically, reflectively and creatively communicate in a variety of forms
relate and integrate their learning with their personal experiences
work both as individuals and as a member of a team of professionals
evaluate existing and emerging theories underpinning education both globally and within a South African context
develop an understanding of the dynamics and implications of change in a period of transformation both globally and nationally, as well as demonstrate an understanding of the implications of change
challenge the assumptions underpinning the why, what and how of teaching, learning and assessment through a process of accessing, analysing, evaluating and synthesising information from a variety of sources
participate in debates on education in general and on issues related to their teaching subjects in particular
identify, analyse and evaluate appropriate approaches to teaching and learning within their teaching subject areas in different contexts
practice a variety of teaching skills, strategies and techniques
identify constraints to change and search for possibilities for change in an educational context
develop a blend of personal confidence in their teaching and professional competence in their dealings with learners and teachers

These outcomes directly inform the structure, content and processes, which are both explicit and implicit in the main components of the course, namely Educational Studies / Education Environment, the Method Courses and Teaching Practice, as well as important additional components such as computer literacy and outdoor excursions.

DISCLAIMER

Fulfilling all the stipulated entry requirements does not guarantee acceptance into a PGCE programme.
The faculty of Education reserves the right to limit numbers in line with its enrolment targets.
Students will be advised if they fall into the latter category and offered an alternative if they meet the minimum entry requirements.

Should you require further information, please contact the course coordinator.

PGCE (Senior Phase and FET)
Course Co-Ordinator

Mr Sean Nkosi

Email: s.nkosi@ru.ac.za

TO APPLY, CLICK HERE!

Department of Secondary & Post-School Education

Grahamstown, 6140

Tel. No:+27 (0)46 603 8383

E-mail: education@ru.ac.za

Last Modified: Tue, 07 May 2024 14:12:50 SAST