Try:
The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) is a professional teaching qualification designed for graduates who want to become qualified school teachers in South Africa. It is offered by the Wits School of Education and prepares students to teach in the Senior Phase (Grades 7–9) and Further Education and Training (Grades 10–12).
The programme combines academic coursework with practical teaching experience in real schools, making it a requirement for registration with the South African Council for Educators (SACE). The PGCE is highly structured and competitive because it depends on subject specialisation and available teaching spaces.
Official programme information can be accessed here: https://www.wits.ac.za/course-finder/postgraduate/humanities/pg-certificate-in-education/
Wits PGCE
The Wits PGCE is a one-year professional teaching qualification for graduates who already hold a recognised bachelor’s degree. It focuses on training students to teach school subjects rather than studying subject content itself.
The programme prepares future teachers in:
- Teaching methods and classroom practice
- Educational psychology and learner development
- Curriculum design and assessment
- Classroom management and planning
- School-based teaching experience
Wits offers the PGCE for both full-time (1 year) and part-time (2 years) study modes depending on student availability.
Students are also placed in schools for supervised teaching practice, which is a compulsory part of the qualification.
What Are the Admission Requirements for Wits PGCE?
Admission into the Wits PGCE is strict and based mainly on academic background and subject alignment.
The key requirements include:
- A completed bachelor’s degree (NQF Level 7)
- Relevant school teachable subjects within the degree
- Subject alignment for Senior Phase and FET teaching
- Strong academic performance in relevant modules
- Meeting departmental selection approval
Applicants cannot apply with only a diploma or matric certificate. The degree must include enough academic coursework to support at least one school subject specialisation.
Wits also requires subject methodology alignment. This means your chosen teaching subject must match what you studied at undergraduate level.
Examples include:
- Mathematics degree holders can apply for Mathematics teaching
- Life Sciences graduates can apply for Life Sciences or Natural Sciences
- Accounting or Economics graduates can apply for Commerce subjects
- Language graduates can apply for English or other language teaching
Some subjects require specific university-level modules, especially Mathematics and Physical Sciences, where minimum course levels apply.
What Are the Subject Requirements for PGCE at Wits?
Wits uses a structured subject pairing system where each student selects:
- One FET subject (Grades 10–12)
- One aligned Senior Phase subject (Grades 7–9)
The university checks whether your undergraduate degree contains sufficient modules for both teaching levels.
For example:
- Mathematics FET requires strong university-level Mathematics modules
- Physical Sciences requires Physics and Chemistry background
- Life Sciences requires Biology-related modules
- History requires History or Social Science modules
Students must meet specific module combinations before being accepted into their chosen teaching subjects.
In some cases, applicants may be rejected if their degree does not include enough relevant academic content.
What Is the Duration of the Wits PGCE Programme?
The Wits PGCE is a one-year full-time programme or a two-year part-time programme.
Study options include:
- Full-time PGCE: 1 year of daytime study
- Part-time PGCE: 2 years with evening classes
The part-time option is designed for working students who cannot attend daytime lectures. Classes are usually scheduled in the evenings between 17h30 and 21h00.
Regardless of the mode of study, all students must complete the same academic and teaching practice requirements.
The programme includes compulsory school placements where students must complete supervised teaching experience before graduation.
What Are the Teaching Practice Requirements in the PGCE?
Teaching practice is a core requirement of the PGCE and is mandatory for graduation.
Students must complete structured school placements that include:
- Observation of experienced teachers
- Assisted teaching in classrooms
- Full lesson delivery under supervision
- Formal evaluation by university mentors
The teaching practice component is spread across the programme and takes place in approved schools.
Wits requires students to demonstrate competence in real classroom environments before qualifying as teachers.
What Are the Fees for Wits PGCE?
The exact Wits PGCE fees are published annually by the university and vary depending on registration year and subject load.
As a postgraduate programme, the PGCE fees typically include:
- Tuition fees for coursework modules
- Registration fees at the beginning of the academic year
- Possible administrative and teaching practice-related costs
According to Wits fee structures for postgraduate programmes, students should expect full postgraduate tuition charges applicable to Humanities education programmes, which are updated each academic year.
Fees can also differ between full-time and part-time study modes, with part-time students often paying per module or per year.
Students are advised to check the official Wits fees portal for the latest approved amounts before applying.
What Should You Know Before Applying for Wits PGCE?
Before applying, students must ensure they meet both academic and subject requirements.
Important points include:
- Your degree must include teachable subjects
- Admission is competitive and limited
- Subject combinations must match Wits methodology rules
- Teaching practice placements are compulsory
- Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance
Applicants are assessed by the School of Education, and final admission depends on subject availability and academic suitability.