RU PGCE
RU PGCE
The RU PGCE stands for Rhodes University Postgraduate Certificate in Education. This one-year, full-time qualification is designed for graduates who want to become qualified teachers in South Africa. Offered by Rhodes University in Grahamstown (Makhanda), the program targets individuals who have completed a bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue a teaching career.
The program includes both theoretical and practical components, covering educational theories, teaching methodologies, and subject-specific content. Additionally, students complete teaching practice in schools. Specialization options are available in various educational phases, such as Foundation Phase (Grades R-3), Intermediate Phase (Grades 4-6), Senior Phase (Grades 7-9), and Further Education and Training Phase (Grades 10-12).
Graduates of the PGCE program can pursue teaching positions in public and private schools in South Africa and potentially in other countries, depending on local regulations and recognition of the qualification.
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
The PGCE is an in-attendance qualification; it is not offered through distance learning.
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RU PGCE Entry requirements
Admission to either of the PGCE programmes is based on what subjects have been studied in the undergraduate degree according to guidelines issued by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
PGCE (Foundation Phase Teaching) Grade R-3
- An appropriate bachelor’s or higher degree
- Two official languages at the first year level (30 credits each) – one of these being an African language
- Psychology at the first-year level (30 credits)
- Two Life Skills subjects (for example: Human Kinetics & Ergonomics; Art; Music; Drama; Geography; History; Zoology Physics; Chemistry
- Mathematics at the first-year level (30 credits)
Students who do not have an appropriate language or Mathematics course may be permitted to take a 30-credit first-year course for non-degree purposes concurrently with the PGCE, 15 credits of which may be assessed through the recognition of prior learning, this requires the Dean’s approval.
PGCE (Intermediate Phase Teaching) Grade 4-6
- An appropriate bachelor’s or higher degree
- Two official languages at the first year level (30 credits each) – one of these being an African language
- Mathematics: At least one first-year course (30 credits) or two different semester courses (15 credits) in Mathematics or Statistics and Chemistry or Physics
You need two teaching subjects in the Intermediate Phase, Mathematics and one of the below:
- Life Skills: At least two different first-year courses (30 credits) in Psychology, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, Art, Music or Drama
- Natural Sciences and Technology: At least one first-year course (30 credits) or two different semester courses (15 credits) in Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Physics, Earth Sciences, Environmental Science, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, or Natural Science.
- Social Science: At least one full first-year course (30 credits) in Geography, Earth Science, Geology or Environmental Science AND at least one full first-year course (30 credits) in History, Classics, Sociology AND one of these two courses must be History or Geography
Students who do not have an appropriate language or Mathematics course may be permitted to take a 30-credit first-year course for non-degree purposes concurrently with the PGCE, 15 credits of which may be assessed through the recognition of prior learning, this requires the Dean’s approval.
PGCE (Senior Phase & FET Teaching)
- An appropriate bachelor’s or higher degree
- Subjects to teach one teaching method at the FET level and one at the FET or SP level, see the tables below:
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TEACHING METHODS AND SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS
Senior Phase: Grades 7 – 9
Arts and Culture: Requires at least two subjects from a range of appropriate Arts subjects, such as Music, Drama, Anthropology, Classics, Dance Studies, Visual Arts, Design, and Theatre Arts.
Economic and Management Sciences: Requires a combination of any two of the following subjects at the first-year level: Accounting, Management, or Economics.
Languages – First Additional Language:
- English: Requires English 1 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: Requires isiXhosa (Mother-Tongue) 1 OR isiXhosa (Additional Language) 2.
Languages – Home Language: Requires the first year in that language.
Life Orientation: Requires a combination of two of the following subjects, one of which must be at the second-year level: Psychology, Philosophy, Anthropology, Sociology, Social Work, HKE, Politics, Labour Studies, and Industrial Studies. Psychology MUST be one of the subjects.
Mathematics: Requires Mathematics 1.
Natural Sciences: Requires a combination of at least one subject from Life Sciences AND Physical Sciences, such as Botany 1, Biology 1, Chemistry 1, Earth Sciences 1, Geography 1, Geology 1, Physics 1, Zoology 1, Physical Geography 1, Environmental Science 1, or Biological Sciences 1.
Social Sciences: Requires Geography 1 and History 1.
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TEACHING METHODS AND SUBJECTS REQUIREMENTS
Further Education and Training Band: Grades 10 – 12
- Accounting: Requires Accounting 2.
- Business Studies: Requires Management 2.
- Information Technology: Requires Computer Science 2 or Computer Science 1 + Information Systems 2.
- Computer Applications Technology: Requires Computer Science 1 or Information Systems 2.
- Design: Requires a combination of subjects from a range of appropriate technology-related subjects, such as Fine Art Practice, Computer Science, Design Studies, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering, Graphic Design, Architecture, Fashion Design, and Interior Design. Each application is examined and decided on its merits, including consideration of matric subjects.
- Dramatic Arts: Requires Drama 2.
- Economics: Requires Economics 2.
- Geography: Requires Geography 2 or Environmental Science 2.
- History: Requires History 2.
- Language – First Additional Language:
- The particular language at the 2nd-year level.
- English: Requires English 2 AND one of the following: Linguistics 1, Applied Language Studies 1, African Literature 1, Literacy Theory 1, Communication and Media Studies 1, or English 1 + Linguistics 2.
- isiXhosa: Requires isiXhosa (Mother Tongue) 2 or isiXhosa (Additional Language) 3.
- Language – Home Language:
- The particular language at the 2nd-year level.
- English: Requires English 2, or English 1 AND one of the following: Linguistics 2, Applied Language Studies 2, African Literature 2, Literacy Theory 2, Communication and Media Studies 2.
- isiXhosa: Requires isiXhosa (Mother Tongue) 2.
- Life Orientation: Requires Psychology 2 AND one of the following subjects at the first-year level: Philosophy, Anthropology, Sociology, Social Work, HKE, Politics, Labour Studies, or Industrial Studies.
- Life Sciences: Requires a combination of any two of the following: Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Physiology, Biology, and Zoology, with at least one taken at the second-year level. First-year modules in Biology or Botany and Zoology must also be included.
- Mathematics: Requires Mathematics 2 or Mathematics 1 + Maths Stats 2/Applied Maths 2.
- Mathematical Literacy: Requires Matric Mathematics plus one or more subjects in the Mathematical field, such as Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Mathematical Modelling, Numerical Analysis, Dynamics, and Mechanics. Each application is considered on merit.
- Music: Requires Musicology 3, Instrument at 2nd-year level, Theory of Music (Grade 8), and Piano (Grade 5).
- Physical Sciences: Requires Physics 2 + Chemistry 1 or Physics 1 + Chemistry 2.
- Visual Arts: Requires Art History and Visual Culture 2 AND Fine Art Practice 2, such as Drawing, Multimedia, Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Ceramic Art, Fibre and Textiles, Heavy Metal, and Jewellery Arts.
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RU PGCE 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 education 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.
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RU PGCE Contact Details
The Registrar
Rhodes University
Grahamstown, 6140
Tel: (046) 603-8276
Fax: (046) 603-7350
E-mail: Registrar@ru.ac.za
Website: http://www.ru.ac.za/applying
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