PGDipEd or PGCE ??? (Secondary Maths)

Hi,

From my understanding, as a current PGCE student (and feel free to correct, anyone else) those two acronyms actually stand for the same thing.

PGCE is an acronym for two different qualifications. On the course, you have a chance to take the M-level credits. This gives you a Post Graduate Certificate of Education. If you fail the Masters assignments though, or choose to do the assignments at Honours level, you still get a PGCE, but this time the P stands for Professional, and you still get the QTS required to teach.


So, if you feel the course is right for you, go for it, but the amount of M level credits you get varies by institution anyway so I wouldn't necessarily say one is better than another.

You cannot skip straight to the PGDipEd without first completing the PGCE because all of the modules of on the DipEd are at masters level and require that you are working as a teacher in order to complete the assignments.

Hi,

I am currently completing a pgdiped at the university of Birmingham. You do not need to complete a pgce first to go on to the course this would be pointless really. I went straight from completing my undergrad on to the course. In terms of difficulty yes it is tough. The assignments are hard and making the jump from undergrad to masters is challenging as you are doing it with a milliion other things going on and I would say you do not get much support or guidance with assignments.

It's very intense and be prepared to dedicate yourself to it. At birmingham the assignments are marked on pass, merit or distinction but we have been told that we do not have time to get them perfect so to just get them in! In terms of a pgce or a pgdiped I would only take the pgdiped if you know that you want to continue onto the masters otherwise there is no point and you are just making your life difficult for no reason. I would highly doubt that it makes any difference in terms of getting a job.

In summary yes the pgce is easier as you have less assignments to do that are at undergrad rather than masters level. In terms of actual teaching and being on placement it is the same except for the amount of assignments that do in the pgdiped adds extra stress. However the pgce is not an easy option it is still tough but it is the easier of the two.

Hope this helps!

Hi,

I am currently completing a pgdiped at the university of Birmingham. You do not need to complete a pgce first to go on to the course this would be pointless really. I went straight from completing my undergrad on to the course. In terms of difficulty yes it is tough. The assignments are hard and making the jump from undergrad to masters is challenging as you are doing it with a milliion other things going on and I would say you do not get much support or guidance with assignments.

It's very intense and be prepared to dedicate yourself to it. At birmingham the assignments are marked on pass, merit or distinction but we have been told that we do not have time to get them perfect so to just get them in! In terms of a pgce or a pgdiped I would only take the pgdiped if you know that you want to continue onto the masters otherwise there is no point and you are just making your life difficult for no reason. I would highly doubt that it makes any difference in terms of getting a job.

In summary yes the pgce is easier as you have less assignments to do that are at undergrad rather than masters level. In terms of actual teaching and being on placement it is the same except for the amount of assignments that do in the pgdiped adds extra stress. However the pgce is not an easy option it is still tough but it is the easier of the two.

Hope this helps!

Hi! I just got a place for a PGDipEd Secondary English and was wondering about accommodation - what would you recommend for a pgdiped student? I've heard it's very stressful so obviously don't want the added stress of a massive commute! I live in Sutton Coldfield in Birmingham, but would you suggest not living at home and going into uni accommodation?