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NQF 7 · 124 Credits · Postgraduate Certificate

PGCE in Foundation Phase Teaching

A fully online professional teaching qualification for graduates who hold a relevant three-year degree or recognised national diploma and wish to qualify as professional educators in the Foundation Phase.

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  • Accredited by the CHE
  • Registered with DHET
  • Ref: H/PRO96/E020CAN
Aim of the Programme

Train to teach. Shape young minds.

This fully online programme is designed to address the growing demand for professional educators in South Africa. The PGCE in Foundation Phase is intended for students who have completed a relevant three-year degree or recognised national diploma and wish to qualify as professional educators in the Foundation Phase.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for completion, and the programme is offered in both January and July intakes for flexibility.

  • Demonstrate competence in reading, writing and speaking the language/s of instruction
  • Demonstrate competence in interpreting and using numerical and elementary statistical knowledge
  • Demonstrate competence regarding the knowledge base underpinning the learning areas they will be teaching
  • Plan, design, and reflect on learning programmes appropriate for Foundation Phase learners
  • Select, use and adjust teaching and learning strategies to meet learners' needs
  • Manage and administer learning environments sensitively, democratically and effectively
  • Monitor and assess learner progress and achievement in their specialisation
  • Function responsibly within the education system, institution and community
  • Demonstrate respect for and commitment to the educator profession

Watch the programme overview

Time Commitment & Mode

How you can study.

Duration

Recommended 2 years part-time. Minimum 1 year full-time (2 years if NDP modules are required). Maximum 4 years part-time.

Delivery Mode

Fully online programme — study from anywhere in South Africa or beyond.

Intakes

Two intakes per year — January and July — for flexibility around personal and academic commitments.

Module Master Module Descriptors Curriculum Grids

Important Note on Credit Loads

Full-time students may take a maximum of 130–140 credits per study year, and part-time students a maximum of 60–80 credits per study year. This maximum must first be made up of any Prerequisite Undergraduate modules that you must complete and can then be supplemented by taking PGCE modules at the same time.

For example, if a full-time student must complete Prerequisite Undergraduate modules English for Education A and B (30 credits), they can still enrol for 100 PGCE credits in the same year; the rest they will have to complete in the following year.

Admission Requirements

Who this is for.

  1. 01 A bachelor's degree (or approved diploma of minimum 360 credits at NQF Level 6) from a DHET-registered higher education institution.
  2. 02 The prior degree/diploma must include subjects that provide appropriate disciplinary knowledge to teach Literacy, Numeracy, and Life Skills.
  3. 03 Conversational competency in an official African language (Conversational isiXhosa and isiZulu are offered at Cornerstone as 5-credit modules for those without this competency).
  4. 04 Holders of multidisciplinary degrees without a main focus in a single teaching-related field may be admitted if the disciplines underpin Foundation Phase learning requirements at NQF 5 or above (minimum 30 credit weighting over two semesters).
Subject-Specific Entry Requirements

Entry into didactics.

For admission into the language and subject didactics modules, prospective FP students are required to have 30 credits at NQF 5 in the relevant subject area:

  1. EN English Didactics: English Language Studies + TEAC6150 Texts & Contexts OR CAYL6150 Children's & Youth Literature.
  2. AF Afrikaans Didactics: Afrikaans A + Afrikaans B.
  3. XH isiXhosa Didactics: IsiXhosa A + IsiXhosa B.
  4. ZU isiZulu Didactics: IsiZulu A + IsiZulu B.
  5. MA Mathematics Didactics: Statistics for Education + Maths for Education.
  6. LS Life Skills Didactics: 30 credits at NQF 5 over 2 semesters in Psychology (mandatory) + Sociology or Philosophy.
Accreditation

Fully accredited.

Cornerstone Institute (RF) NPC is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Registration Certificate No. 2001/HE08/006).

PGCE in Foundation Phase Teaching: Distance mode. Registered by the DHET. Accredited by the CHE as a 120-credit learning programme for higher education at NQF Level 7.

  • SAQA ID101972
  • CHE RefH/PRO96/E020CAN
  • NQF Level7
  • Reg. Cert.2001/HE08/006
Resources

Everything you need, in one place.

All ProgrammesBrowse the full catalogue YearbookAcademic yearbook Fee StructureTuition & programme fees PGCE LeafletFoundation & Intermediate Phase Module MasterComplete module overview Module DescriptorsDetailed module descriptions Curriculum GridsYear-by-year layout Helpdeskhelpdesk@cornerstone.ac.za

Ready to teach the next generation?

Applications are open for the January and July intakes.

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