Should I do the PGCE or DET?

PGCE and DET are both initial teacher training (ITT) qualifications that teachers and trainers take on to progress in their careers. Now the question is, which qualification is the best for you? If you’ve been wondering “Should I do the PGCE or DET?” then you will find all the answers below.

Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

PGCE is a teacher training qualification recognised worldwide which one can get in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is a university-based Level 6 teaching qualification for aspiring teachers and trainers to get into teaching, usually in schools. It is mostly suited to teaching in schools and can lead to the QTS.

How long is the PGCE teaching course?

The PGCE course is usually a 2-year, post graduate programme designed as a combination of theoretical knowledge as well as teaching practice. In the first year, you will learn all about behavioural theories, learning and teaching theories and related legislations. Most of these studies overlap with the Level 5 Diploma in Education. Studying a PGCE course in the first year will be full-time, entirely university-based. Once you complete the theoretical part of the PGCE course, which includes lectures and assessments, you will be awarded the Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) status. 

After you gain the NQT, you will have to look for placements in a school, where you will teach learners for another academic year. After your evaluation at the end of that year, you will be awarded the Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) if you meet the requirements of The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA). After this, you can apply as a full-time teacher, locally or internationally. 

On the other hand, about 4.5% learners drop out of PGCE during school placements because it requires too much commitment with less monetary return. If you are thinking about teaching in secondary, HE or FE then the L5 DET course is probably easier and cheaper for you.

How much does a PGCE course cost?

PGCE courses cost different for both home and international students.

A PGCE course for home students costs around £9,250 which does not include transportation costs and other expenses. However, for international students, it ranges from £16,000-£20,000. These figures merely cater to university fees and other related academic expenses. This amount does not account for the cost of living. Moreover, this cost does not include the amount one puts in to get an undergraduate degree which is a requirement for enrolment into the PGCE.

Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training

The Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training, used to be known as the DTLLS. It is an undergraduate qualification for trainers who want to teach in schools to learners in sixth-form colleges, or Further Education (FE) or Higher Education (HE) institutes. This L5 DET qualification is entirely online and student-led. You can study at your own pace and get 1:1 tutor support when you study with ELN. Completing this qualification results in gaining the Qualified Teaching and Learning Status (QTLS) awarded by the Society for Education and Training.

How long is the level 5 teaching diploma?

The Level 5 DET or teaching diploma is approximately 2 years long which is entirely online, self-paced from the ease of your home. Since it is self-paced you can complete as early as 6 months or a year. This post 16 sector teaching course is ideal if you want to teach the sixth form, in FE or HE institutions and is equivalent to a PGCE for Higher Education (PGCHE) or the PGCE for Further Education (PGCE FE).

How much does the DET qualification cost?

The DET / DTLLS course costs up to £1,450 with ELN without any hidden or extra charges. The main benefit of this teaching diploma is that it is entirely online and you will save about £20,000+ on traveling and living in the UK as an international student.

Advantages of doing the DET / DTLLS course

The main advantage is definitely the saving money on the course as well as the required traveling and living abroad for foreign students. Apart from that, it saves you a lot of time compared to the PGCE to gain the QTLS status. All you need for the DET is to provide evidence of 100 hours of teaching learners (sixth form or above) out of which 8 hours must be observed and assessed teaching. The DET is a popular salaried teacher training route to gaining the QTLS.

In conclusion, it is recommended that you choose the Level 5 DET / DTLLS as your teaching qualification if you want to teach in the post-16 sector. It is designed in a way that you can complete this L5 teaching qualification along with your job. You do not need to be present at university to get qualified. You can complete it entirely online and it is self-paced. For PGCE, you must have an undergraduate degree. The degree itself can cost a fortune before you even start the teaching qualification. It is ideal for individuals who want to teach primary or secondary students.