Wits Pgce, The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is a professional teaching qualification for applicants with a Bachelor’s degree. The Wits School of Education PGCE provides professional preparation for teaching in high schools in the Senior Phase (SP, Grades 7-9) and Further Education and Training (FET, Grades 10-12) phases of schooling.
You can download or view the PGCE Brochure by clicking here.
Curriculum Information
All applicants must complete the following courses:
• Theory of Education
• One Major FET Subject Methodology
• Teaching Experience in the Major FET subject
• One SP Subject Methodology (+ optional: a 2nd SP subject methodology)
• Teaching Experience in the SP Subject/s
• Endorsement courses (where necessary) in Computer Literacy and Language Proficiency:
Conversational competence in an indigenous African language or South African Sign Language (SASL).
Programme Details
The programme is offered on both a full-time basis (1 year) and a part-time basis (2 years). Part-time students attend the same lectures as the full-time students. There are no evening courses for part-time students. Part-time students take Theory of Education and endorsements and an optional 2nd SP methodology course in one year and their FET and SP subject methodology courses in the second year.
The programme begins with an introductory workshop which incorporates registration. This is followed by a five-day initial school observation, arranged by the students. Successful applicants will be sent information regarding the workshop and initial school observation shortly after they are accepted. Teaching experience takes place for three weeks during March and six weeks during the third block.
During this time, full-time students are expected to teach their major FET methodology and their SP subject/s. Part-time students will teach their FET and SP subject in the 2nd year. Teaching experience for the optional 2nd SP subject may be in the 1st or 2nd year, subject to an arrangement with the lecturer concerned. Students will need to be at schools every week day, take responsibility for certain classes and participate fully in the life of the school.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree, such as BA, BA (Fine Arts), BA (Dramatic Art), BSc, or BCom. The degree must contain a number of university courses which have been approved as suitable for teaching a school subject.
- Entry into the FET methodology course requires students to be in possession of a major in an approved university subject (see Table 1).
- In some subjects (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics) these requirements may be reduced to a sub-major (subject to Senate permission).
- If a student has one more course to complete in order to obtain a major/sub-major in their degree or to fulfil the requirements for a multidisciplinary subject (e.g.
PS, NS, SS), co-registration may be possible subject to Senate permission. - Students do one or two SP subject methodology courses, one of which is usually related to their FET methodology. To be admitted to the 2nd SP subject students must have studied courses related to that teaching subject. Usually one year of study in an approved subject is required for the SP teaching subject.
Table 1: FET Methodology subjects and approved University courses
| FET teaching subject | Approved and corresponding university courses (a major unless indicated as a submajor) |
| Accounting | Accounting; Financial Accounting; Managing Accounting and Auditing |
| Business Studies | Business Management; General/Human Resources/Marketing Management |
| Dramatic Arts | Speech Training and Dramatic Art (Speech and Drama, Drama and Dramatic Art, Drama) |
| Economics | Economics |
| English | English Language and Literature OR English 1 + one the following majors: African Literature; Applied English Language Studies; Linguistics; Literary Theory and Communication and Media Studies |
| Geography | Geography |
| History | History |
| isiZulu | isiZulu |
| Life Sciences | Biochemistry; Biological Sciences; Botany; Ecology/Environmental Sciences; Genetics; Microbiology; Physiology; Zoology |
| Life Orientation | Psychology III or Psychology I + one of the following majors: Religious Studies; Human Movement Studies/ Physical Education; Philosophy; Sociology; Anthropology; Politics; Law/Human Rights; Social Work |
| Mathematics | Mathematics; Applied Mathematics adn Statistics |
| Music | Harmony; Musical form; Music in History and Society; Music practical |
| Physical Sciences | Physics; Chemistry (can be a combination of Physics I and Chemistry II or vice versa) |
| SASL | South African Sign Language |
| Sesotho | Sesotho |
| Visual Arts | Fine Arts/Art Practical or Design or Graphic Art |
Table 2: Senior Phase methodology subjects and approved University courses
| Senior Phase GET teaching subject | Approved and corresponding university courses (one year of study) |
| Arts and Culture | Speech Training and Dramatic Art & Drama; Music and music related courses; Art and art related courses in table 1 |
| Economics and Management Sciences | Accounting; Business Economics; Business Management; Commercial Law; Economics; Mercantile Law; Industrial Psychology |
| Languages English | English I; Applied English Language Studies; Drama; African Literature; Journalism; Media Studies; Translation; Linguistics |
| isiZulu | isiZulu |
| Sesotho | Sesotho |
| SASL | South African Sign Language |
| Life Orientation | Psychology; Anthropology; Human Movement Studies; Law/Human Rights; Sociology; Physical Education; Philosophy; Politics; Religious Studies; Therapeutic professions e.g. Nursing or Social Work |
| Social Sciences | Geography; History; |
| Mathematics | Mathematics; Applied Mathematics; Computer Science; Ancillary Mathematics and Statistics |
| Natural Sciences | Two of the following: Chemistry; Physics; Physical Geography/Environmental Sciences; Bioloogical/Life Sciences |
Application Procedures
The following documentation is required:
• A completed application form
• Official academic transcripts showing courses taken and marks achieved, including a certificate of conduct from the university last attended
• Certified copy of degree certificate
• International students: SAQA certificate + CV + English Proficiency Certificate – for students from countries in which English is not the language of teaching and learning at a tertiary level
Please return the application form and documentation to the Student Enrolment Centre, Senate House, Wits Main Campus or submit everything online at www.wits.ac.za
Please note:
- All copies of original certificates/documents need to be certified by a Commissioner of Oaths. A photostat or faxed copy does not constitute a certified copy.
- Where there has been a name change, such as certificates under a maiden name but applicant now uses their married name, a certified copy of the marriage certificate must be enclosed.
- Incomplete applications will not be processed.
- Where applicants are currently registered, no final decision will be made until all examination results are received. The onus is on the applicant to send the academic transcript with all the results to the Wits School of Education.
Bursaries
Information about bursaries such as the Funza Lushaka bursary is available from the bursary officer in the School of Education.
CLOSING DATES
International Applicants: 31 August.
Late applications will not be considered because of the time taken to process them.
South African citizens and permanent residents: 31 October
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