University of Strathclyde – Further Education Teaching Programme Consultation

Overview

The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on the proposed further education teaching programme to be delivered by the University of Strathclyde. The Scottish Ministers are proposing to make a determination under article 30 of the 2011 Order to specify that the University of Strathclyde course constitutes a recognised teaching qualification for individuals seeking registration as a further education teacher.

The Teaching Qualification in Further Education (or TQFE) is currently the core teaching qualification available to college lecturers in Scotland.

The TQFE is offered at different levels, with all providers offering an undergraduate level programme at SCQF level 9 and post-graduate certificate at SCQF level 11. Regardless of level of study or the provider, a TQFE consists of 60 SCQF points of study requiring a notional 600 hours of student engagement, and requires a minimum of 120 hours of teaching practice over the duration of the TQFE, including two observations of practice.

Read the consultation paper

Why your views matter

Current legislation requires Scottish Ministers to consult further education institutions or their representatives, the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and other such persons appearing to them to have an interest, before making or changing a determination relating to a recognised teaching qualification for individuals seeking registration as a further education teacher with the GTCS.

This is a real opportunity for stakeholders to share their views on the proposed Teaching Qualification in Further Education (TQFE) Programme to be delivered by the University of Strathclyde. It is vital that Scottish Ministers are able to consider the views of those with expertise and an interest in the TQFE, ahead of considering if a determination should be made specifying the University of Strathclyde as a recognised provider of the TQFE.

What happens next

Scottish Ministers will consider the responses in determining whether the programme proposed by University of Strathclyde constitutes a recognised teaching qualification for individuals seeking registration as a further education teacher with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).