Masters level accreditation

The PGCE at Oxford is assessed as an M level course (in line with the National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education). Successful completion of curriculum assignments 2 and 3 and the PDP dissertation at Masters level carries the award of 60 M level credits (which may be built upon later to achieve a full MSc degree).

In all assignments practical investigation of pedagogical or wider educational issues through interns’ own practice and school-based research is integrated with wider reading of relevant research and professional literature.

The first curriculum assignment (submitted in November) is marked according to the M level criteria, but it is not formally examined, allowing interns to develop their understanding of the requirements of M level work and to receive detailed formative feedback on the processes of researching and writing about classroom practice.  The second and third curriculum assignments, focused on specific aspects of their own developing practice as a teacher, are formally examined.

The PDP dissertation, focused on a wider educational issue within the intern’s school, is formally examined.  The first written assignment linked to the dissertation is marked but not formally examined.  In this way interns receive detailed feedback and guidance as they work towards completing their dissertation. 

All three examined assignments must be passed at Masters level for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate in Education, but those who pass the assignments at Honours level, can still be awarded a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (provided that their practice also meets the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status).  Any assignment that does not meet the Masters level criteria can be resubmitted (once only) – as, of course, can any assignment that does not meet the Honours level criteria.