PGCE M 14+ Performance and Creative Arts - Postgraduate Level at Shockout Arts
Course Overview
If you're already qualified and experienced in the performance and creative arts industries, then this course delivered by Shockout offers you the skills and knowledge needed to teach dance to people aged 14 and above in this demanding and ever-evolving sector. This PGCE (M) course is 120 credits at master's level (HE7), demonstrating your ability to work independently at a high level in the field of education. 90 credits at HE7 can be transferred to a full master's award, depending on the specialist master's pathway.Shockout's teaching staff are qualified professional practitioners, and experts in the field of the performance and creative arts who are keen to make your time with them as stimulating and rewarding as possible and enjoy a well-deserved reputation for being approachable and interested in your progress.
Through a combination of traditional study and work-based learning, you'll explore the key theories and techniques of teaching, learning and assessment. We'll support you as you discover how to apply them in practice, how you can mould them to the teaching of dance and how they link to current research in education and dance education.
We'll guide you as you learn to plan lessons, deliver classes, assess your students and provide constructive feedback. Our expert specialist and supportive tutors will work to help you become a skilled, engaging and inclusive teacher with high standards of professionalism.
This course is suitable for pre-service Initial Teacher Education (ITE) trainee teachers – so you don't need prior teaching experience or current employment in education. If you're a new in-service trainee teacher employed in the further education sector, you can apply for this course as part of your continuous professional development (CPD).
For full details about Shockout, their open days and accommodation, please visit www.weareshockout.com/courses/
Highlights
- Shockout is a dynamic and innovative institution which specialises in the performance and creative arts.
- This specialist PGCE programme is designed to fully equip you to effectively teach a wide range of performance and creative arts subjects alongside refining your creative identity as a teacher in this competitive sector.
- Ofsted rated the University of Bolton's Further Education and Skills (FES) 14+ ITE courses' overall effectiveness as 'good' in all areas, including the quality of education and training, and leadership and management at their last inspection in May 2022. Their report also said, 'Trainees in the FES phase have access to a well-planned and ambitious curriculum' and 'Trainees are well supported to develop their subject-specific pedagogy equally well through all of the different FES ITE programmes' (Ofsted, 2022).
- We have strong links with local providers and employers in the performing and creative arts sector, and you'll have the opportunity to seek a placement with a provider aligned with your specialist subject.
- Our team of highly experienced, enthusiastic and dedicated experts offers face-to-face sessions and one-to-one support, ensuring you have access to feedback and advice.
- You'll be allocated a personal tutor who will work with you throughout the programme and support you in developing your Professional Practice Portfolio.
- Our academic team is actively involved in educational research, ensuring you have access to the latest thinking in teaching and learning.
- The course is designed to help you achieve your potential and enjoy teaching. By encouraging you to reflect on your performance and take charge of your own development, we aim to prepare you for a successful career in education.
Key Features
- The University of Bolton sits at the heart of an extensive and well-established partnership of post-14 education and training providers, offering access to an impressive range of educational environments.
- Our highly qualified and dedicated team offers a wealth of experience in teaching both in post-14 education and training and teacher education.
- We offer a warm and friendly environment for your studies, with relatively small class sizes and excellent IT and library facilities.
- You'll also have access to the University's e-learning resources, an extensive e-library and the support of University librarians.
- All trainee teachers must complete 150 hours of teaching practice in their subject specialist area and 100 hours of CPD training. Teaching placements are an essential component for success on this course, and you'll have the opportunity to gain experience planning and delivering learning in a range of settings within the further education sector.
- This PGCE M 14+ course meets the requirements of the FE-specific Diploma in Teaching (DiT) in the Further Education and Skills sector. It's ideal if you wish to teach in adult and community education, further education, sixth-form colleges, universities, prison and probation services, pre-employment training and work-based learning.
- After completing this ITE course, you can progress towards QTLS (Qualified Teacher for Learning and Skills), which is recommended for teaching in the FE and Skills sector.
Entry Requirements
- You should have at least a lower second class honours degree (2:2 or above) (or equivalent) in a dance-related subject; for instance, performing arts or dance.
- If your bachelor's degree is not from a recognised UK higher education institution, advice will be taken from the International Office on comparability.
- You must possess suitable Level 2 qualifications in English and Mathematics; for instance, GCSEs at grade 4-9 (or grade C or above) or Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Mathematics. Please contact us for a list of other Level 2 equivalent qualifications that would be accepted for entry to this course.
- While previous teaching experience is not necessary for this course, prior relevant work experience in the area you wish to teach will significantly strengthen your application. The placement providers we work with greatly value and prefer relevant experience (paid or voluntary) because you can bring this broader experience into your teaching.
- You'll be required to attend an interview day as part of the application process. This will involve written diagnostic tests for English and mathematics, a short oral presentation, and a face-to-face interview. As part of your interview, you may be asked to undertake additional assessment(s) to determine your suitability for the course.
- This course involves working unsupervised with young people and/or vulnerable adults and you must gain an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting your studies. Charges are payable to cover the cost of the DBS Enhanced Disclosure application and annual registration with the online Update Service.
- You'll need to provide satisfactory references, a satisfactory health declaration and a satisfactory student agreement prior to enrolment on the course.
- We'll also consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
- Please note that this course is subject to the University of Bolton's Fitness to Practise procedure.
- This course is open to Home students only. Applications from International and EU students cannot usually be accepted because the study location for this course is not licenced by UKVI to sponsor students. Therefore, if you require sponsorship under the Student Visa Route to study in the UK, then, unfortunately, we'll be unable to consider your application for this course. Some EU students are eligible to study this course under the EU Settlement Scheme or Common Travel Area arrangement – for details, please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/studying-in-the-uk-guidance-for-eu-students.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) M 14+ (Performance and Creative Arts) is a teacher education course for graduates who wish to teach in the Further Education and Skills sector of education; for example, in adult and community education, further education, sixth form colleges, the prison and probation services, pre-employment training and work-based learning.
This sector offers opportunities to work with further education learners who range in age from 14 years old to adult. These students come from different backgrounds and experiences and may enter further education from local schools, the community, industry or local businesses.
This course emphasises the teaching of performance and creative arts-related subjects. It's designed to help you integrate your specialist subject knowledge with educational theory and practice, supporting you to become an effective and creative specialist teacher.
What can I do with this qualification?
The adult and community learning sector delivers a range of community-based courses, including practical and creative, basic skills, language and computer courses. The justice sector involves working in prisons and youth offender institutions, teaching basic skills. Some offender institutions offer vocational preparation courses. Much of this work is subcontracted to local FE colleges, who then provide relevant staff.
Alternative career options
PGCE M 14+ holders can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or further postgraduate study. Possible careers include:
- Higher education
- Education officer
- Mentoring
- Family liaison
- Educational psychology
- Education administration
- Student services advice
- Student liaison
- Educational writing and journalism
- Examinations
- Counselling
- Careers guidance
- Training
- Quality standards
- Museum education
- Arts administration
Professional Recognition
The University of Bolton's Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) M 14+ programme meets the requirements of the FE-specific Diploma in Teaching (DiT) in the Further Education and Skills sector. All new FE and Skills teachers must complete a teacher education qualification as the first step in obtaining QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills).
If you are keen to pursue QTLS, please ensure you read the Society for Education and Training’s QTLS eligibility guidance before commencing this ITE programme. We especially draw your attention to the information about which English and mathematics qualifications are acceptable.
Please note, this course does not lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) to teach in schools. However, QTLS does legally have equivalence to QTS and is recognised by some head teachers in schools.
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2025-26 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
Course application details are unavailable at present
International Applicants
Course application details are unavailable at present
Partner Organisation Applicants
Course application details are unavailable at present
Teaching & Assessment
We take a blended approach to teaching and learning, using a combination of face-to-face sessions, work-based learning and electronic resources and communications. You can expect timetabled classes and lectures, along with workshops, small group and individual practical activities, and structured exercises and discussions. Individual support will be given in tutorials. We'll encourage you to participate in online discussions with your peers and tutors, make full use of ICT as a source of information and support, and maintain a digital portfolio of evidence.
You'll have the opportunity to seek a placement with a provider that matches your specialist subject, in a situation that meets the requirements for becoming a qualified teacher in the FE and Skills sector. Placements may involve daytime or evening teaching, or both.
During your placements, your teaching practice will be assessed according to Ofsted guidelines and documented through session planning, observation reports and reflective journals. You'll receive informal feedback on your performance, to help you assess your progress and improve your practice, as well as formal assessment that will contribute to your overall grade for the course.
Additional formal assessment will be based on coursework. We'll expect you to produce written work that demonstrates your understanding and ability to apply the course content. You'll also receive informal peer and tutor feedback on individual and group activities. Your tutor will guide you towards areas of appropriate research and background reading that will help you to complete your coursework.
To be awarded your PGCE M 14+ qualification, you'll need to demonstrate that you've met all the learning outcomes for the course. Our highly experienced and dedicated staff will guide and support you in this, but a significant amount of personal and independent study is essential, and you'll need to take responsibility for managing your own learning.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Preparation for Teaching and Learning (PTL)
- Subject Specialist Teaching Part 1
- Curriculum Innovation and Assessment
- Subject Specialist Teaching Part 2
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 100% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 80% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 20% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
