On this page, we will explain clearly where to study for PGCE in South Africa, as well as what the requirements are for this postgraduate certificate.
PGCE stands for Post Graduate Certificate in Education. This is a certificate that any university or college graduate can enroll for in order to pursue a teaching career.
Each university has its own unique requirements for a PGCE course.
Below are the Universities that offer PGCE qualifications in South Africa:
Contents
University of Johannesburg (UJ) PGCE
List of requirements to study PGCE at UJ:
Duration:
- Full-time: 1 year
- Part-time: 2 years (for non-teaching job holders)
- Classes are a mix of in-person and online, and practical training (WIL) happens at approved schools.
Admission Requirements:
- For FET Phase (Grades 10-12):
- Degree (NQF Level 7, 360 credits).
- Must have two teaching subjects relevant to the FET phase.
- For Senior Phase and FET (Grades 7-12):
- Degree (NQF Level 7, 360 credits) with:
- One subject at third-year level and another at first-year level.
- OR National Diploma (NQF Level 6, 360 credits) with:
- One subject at second-year level and another at third-year level.
- Note: National N Diploma is not accepted.
- Degree (NQF Level 7, 360 credits) with:
Language Competency:
- Proficient in one South African language for teaching.
- Basic proficiency in another African language or Sign Language.
- UJ offers an isiZulu short course if you don’t meet the language requirement.
University of South Africa (UNISA) PGCE
List of requirements to study PGCE at UNISA:
To apply for the PGCE at UNISA, you need:
- An accredited Bachelor’s degree (360 or 480 credits).
- English or Applied Language in English completed up to third-year level.
- Linguistics, African Literature, an African language, or Afrikaans completed up to second-year level.
If you don’t meet these requirements, you should consider applying for a Bachelor of Education degree instead.
University of Pretoria (UP) PGCE
List of requirements to study PGCE at UP:
You must have a Bachelor’s degree or a Diploma that’s been approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
Having a qualification doesn’t guarantee you’ll be accepted because there are limited spots available.
Subject Requirements:
- For Grades 7–12 (Senior Phase and FET):
- You need to have passed one subject at second-year level (200) that matches a school subject for Grades 7–9.
- You must also have passed another subject at third-year level (300) that matches a school subject for Grades 10–12.
- For Grades 10–12 (FET only):
- Option A: You must have passed one subject at third-year level (300) that matches a school subject and do a research project.
- Option B: You need to pass two different subjects at third-year level (300) that match school subjects.
Other Important Requirements:
- Computer Skills: You must have done a computer literacy course during your degree. If not, you’ll need to do it while studying PGCE.
- African Language Competence: You need to be able to speak at least one African language or South African Sign Language at a conversational level. If you already know one, you can take a test to prove it.
- Practical Skills: For certain subjects like Art, Music, Drama, or Science, you might be asked to show your skills through practical tests or projects.
University of Cape Town (UCT) PGCE
List of requirements to study PGCE at UCT:
UCT does not offer a Bachelor of Education (BEd). Instead, students complete a Bachelor’s degree (e.g. BA, BSc, BCom) in relevant subjects, followed by the PGCE for those who want to become teachers.
For High School Teaching (Grades 8-12):
- PGCE (Senior Phase and FET) is for those who want to teach Grades 8-12 (Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Phase).
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree:
- You need to have studied at least two school subjects up to second-year level (60 credits each).
- Subjects include:
- English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, Mathematics, Environmental and Geographical Sciences, History, Life Sciences (Botany & Zoology), Chemistry, Physics, Accounting & Economics.
- For Psychology: You need third-year Psychology (120 credits) and another second-year subject or Mathematics 1 (30 credits).
- Maths Literacy: 1 year of Mathematics (30 credits) is acceptable for Maths Literacy.
- Alternatively:
- One subject at third-year level (120 credits) in: English, Environmental and Geographical Sciences, History, Mathematics, Drama, Dance, Music, Fine Art.
Degree Relevance:
- The degree must match the subjects you want to teach (e.g. BA for English & History, BSc for Life Sciences, BCom for Accounting & Economics, Fine Art for teaching Art).
Bursary Options:
- Funza Lushaka Bursaries (for priority subjects) via the Department of Basic Education.
- HCI Foundation and Jakes Gerwel Fellowship offer bursaries for PGCE students.
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) PGCE
List of requirements to study PGCE at WITS:
- The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at Wits is for teaching Senior Phase (Grades 7-9) and Further Education and Training (Grades 10-12).
- Available in two formats:
- Full-time: 1 year (daytime lectures).
- Part-time: 2 years (evening lectures, 17h30 – 21h00) for working students.
Career Path:
- You will be qualified to teach one FET subject and at least one Senior Phase subject.
Curriculum Overview:
- Core Courses:
- Theory of Education A and B.
- FET Subject Methodology (one major subject).
- Teaching Experience in the major FET subject.
- SP Subject Methodology (one subject; you can add a second SP subject if the timetable allows for full-time students only).
- Teaching Experience in the SP subject(s).
- Endorsement Courses (if necessary):
- Computer Literacy.
- Language Proficiency: You must show conversational competence in an indigenous African language (excluding Afrikaans) or South African Sign Language (SASL).
Stellenbosch University PGCE
List of requirements to study PGCE atStellenbosch University:
- To be admitted to the Stellenbosch University PGCE, you need a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.
- You must have studied a second-year or third-year subject in your intended teaching area(s).
- You cannot complete undergraduate modules alongside your PGCE to meet subject requirements.
Additional Admission Provisions:
- You cannot register for another course or programme while doing the Stellenbosch University PGCE.
- You are not allowed to hold more than two student assistantships simultaneously.
- If you interrupt the programme, this is allowed for one year after one semester, but only with Senate approval.
School Observation Requirement:
- Before starting the Stellenbosch University PGCE, you must complete two weeks of observation at a school of your choice between 1-28 February.
- You must submit the observation forms to the university on the first day of class; failing to do so will result in deregistration.
Computer Literacy:
- If you haven’t completed a computer literacy course during your undergraduate studies, you must register for the ICTs for Learning 177 module (a 10-credit course) at Stellenbosch University.
School Practice (WIL):
- You must complete school visits during the third school term as part of the Practical Learning module. This includes Stellenbosch and Peninsula area schools partnered with Stellenbosch University.
- Even during university vacations, you are required to complete school visits; falling behind will delay your certificate and salary.
Practical Learning:
- Practical training includes lesson design, implementation, and evaluation as part of the Practical Learning module. You’ll also observe and teach lessons during these sessions.
Language Requirements:
- The PGCE certificate from Stellenbosch University must indicate the languages you can use for teaching and conversational competence.
- If you teach in English or Afrikaans, you must take isiXhosa for conversational competence.
- Stellenbosch University offers:
- Afrikaans (5 credits)
- English (5 credits)
- isiXhosa (5 credits)
- You can take an exemption test early in the first semester. A score of 60% exempts you from attending language classes.
Duration:
- The Stellenbosch University PGCE is a 1-year full-time programme.
Application Process:
- The application deadline for the Stellenbosch University PGCE is 30 September.
- Current students apply via my.sun.ac.za, and new applicants apply at www.sun.ac.za/pgstudies.
North-West University (NWU) PGCE
List of requirements to study PGCE at NWU:
- To enter the PGCE in Senior and FET Teaching at North-West University (NWU), you need a relevant B-degree (or equivalent qualification) with at least 360 credits.
- Your degree must include:
- One subject at third-year level.
- One subject at second-year level.
- There may be subject-specific requirements depending on your teaching area.
Teaching Practice (WIL):
- Work Integrated Learning (WIL), or teaching practice, is compulsory for the PGCE.
- You must complete 40 school-based teaching days:
- 20 days in the first semester.
- 20 days in the second semester.
- WIL must be done at Faculty of Education-approved schools.
- You must complete WIL in both:
- Senior Phase (Grades 7-9).
- FET Phase (Grades 10-12).
- If you study over two years, you will:
- Complete didactic modules in the first year.
- Complete WIL in the second year.
- Teaching assistant positions or work outside the education sector do not count towards WIL requirements.
Additional Information:
- Costs for WIL are not included in tuition fees and must be covered by the student.
- NWU offers a unique methodology for Consumer Studies in its PGCE programme.
Programme Delivery:
- The PGCE at NWU is available in two modes:
- Full-time/contact mode.
- Distance mode.
This provides the essential details you need to know about the PGCE programme at North-West University.
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) PGCE
List of requirements to study PGCE at UKZN:
- You need a relevant Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification approved by Senate, suitable for teaching in the Senior Phase (Grades 7-9) and Further Education and Training Phase (Grades 10-12).
- The degree must include sufficient academic content to cover the subjects you intend to teach.
Specific Credit Requirements:
- Your qualification must include at least:
- 32 credits at NQF Level 6 for a Senior Phase subject specialisation.
- 64 credits (with at least 32 credits at NQF Level 7) for an FET Phase subject specialisation.
PGCE Specialisations Offered at UKZN:
- Further Education and Training Phase: Grades 10 to 12.
- Senior and Further Education and Training Phase: Grades 7 to 12.
Specialisation Rules:
- For FET Phase Teaching, you need two FET Teaching Specialisations from the approved list.
- For Senior and FET Phase Teaching, you need one FET Teaching Specialisation and one Senior Phase Teaching Specialisation from the approved list.
Programme Focus:
- The PGCE at UKZN focuses on how to teach (teaching methods), not on the subject content itself. Therefore, you must have the necessary subject knowledge from your undergraduate degree before applying.
Programme Duration and Qualification:
- The PGCE is a one-year full-time course.
- Completing the PGCE allows you to register with the South African Council for Educators (SACE) as a qualified teacher.
Need Help Regarding Your Career?
We have helped 100s of students like you regarding their careers and study options after matric.
