This online course will help develop your understanding of theories and approaches to tutoring and coaching primary and secondary age learners, whether you are an established tutor or want to pursue a career in this field.
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Overview
The PGCert in Professional Tutoring is a partnership between the University of Worcester and Qualified Tutor, a professional tutoring organisation that specialises in the education of tutors. By studying this course, you will benefit from the support of both Qualified Tutor and the University of Worcester.
You’ll explore the most up-to-date theories, policies and practices that influence education in the context of professional tutoring. This course will cover important topics like how students learn, teaching methods, the national curriculum, understanding students' needs, and how to run a tutoring business. We’ll teach you how to make an impact on students’ lives, from our classroom to theirs.
This Professional Tutoring course is delivered online, meaning you can study at your own pace with materials you can access at any time. You won’t miss out on the sense of community typically found in traditional, in-person courses, as there are regular live group sessions where you will be able to work with other students and get direct teaching and help from your tutors.
There are no exams on this course. Instead, you’ll be assessed through written coursework, essays, portfolios, and development plans supported by research. This will give you a strong understanding of how to apply educational theories and concepts in a practical setting and how to effectively structure and deliver content that will meet your students’ needs.
Placement
Practical learning is central to this course. You will be expected to deliver a minimum of 36 hours of professional tutoring practice during this course. This tutoring practice can be voluntary, or if you are currently working as a tutor or in an educational setting, it can be carried out in your workplace.
Course content
On this accredited course you’ll study theories backed up by substantial evidence.
Our courses are informed by the latest research and developments in the field, as well as feedback from students and employers. Therefore, modules do occasionally change to keep the course up-to-date and relevant.
All modules are mandatory to ensure you are well-equipped to begin your career as a professional tutor.
To ensure that there is a clear sequence of learning, it is highly recommended that 'The Developing Tutor' module be studied before 'The Effective Tutor' module. This is because the sequence of learning is planned so that 'The Effective Tutor' module builds upon your learning and experience in 'The Developing Tutor' module.
Careers
Tutoring is an excellent and flexible way to help young learners improve their performance in their subject or area of work. Whether you are graduating, self-employed or are registered with a tutoring agency organisation, professional tutoring offers a rewarding opportunity to make a significant difference in students' lives while enjoying the flexibility to fit your schedule and career goals.
A PGCert in Professional Tutoring will give you the credibility that will help you stand out to potential clients or employers. With assessments such as reflective essays and development plans, you’ll apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios and demonstrate your skills as a tutor. Building a strong portfolio of work will help you to stand out in the competitive tutoring market.
Course highlights
Teaching and Assessment
Most teaching is delivered through weekly two hour live sessions, which can take a variety of formats, including discussions, practical activities and group work. Your assessments are designed to prepare you for a career as a professional tutor, such as developing teaching plans and reflective writing.
Teaching and assessment contents
Teaching
You are taught through a combination of synchronous interactive sessions on most occasions and occasional asynchronous session materials, which will feature video delivery. The majority of sessions will be synchronous, with a weekly commitment to between two and four hours a week, whilst providing flexibility for people to study around work and other commitments. Sessions will take a variety of formats and are intended to enable the application of learning through discussion, activity, independent study and occasionally group activities.
Synchronous sessions enable the discussion and development of understanding of topics covered in asynchronous sessions, and independent learning is focused on developing subject-specific skills and applied individual and group project work. There will be a strong focus on reflection as part of this masters level qualification and there will be an assessment focus which will require reflection on a sequence of learning that you deliver in a work-based or voluntary scenario.
In addition, meetings with personal academic tutors are scheduled on at least three occasions in the year of the course, with additional meetings as required. These will be online meetings via Teams.
The University places emphasis on enabling students to develop independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning, to develop your tutoring skills and to enhance future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support from Student Services and Library Services, and also the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will help you to flourish and be successful.
Entry requirements
- Hold, or be expected to achieve in the year of application, an undergraduate degree (2:2 or above) granted by a UK higher education institution or an accredited equivalent qualification.
- Have passed GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or above in English and Mathematics
Any questions?
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please call our Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.
Fees
Fees contents
UK students
The standard tuition fees for part-time home students enrolling on MA/MSc/MBA/MRes/PGCert/PGDip courses in the academic year 2025/26 are £1,575 per 30-credit module and £3,150 per 60 credit module.
For more details, please visit our course fees page.
How to apply
How to apply contents
How to apply
For all taught postgraduate and PG Cert programmes, please apply directly to University of Worcester via an online application.
Applications for Professional Tutoring PGCert will open shortly.
If you have any questions about the admissions process, please contact the Admissions office on 01905 855111 or admissions@worc.ac.uk
Contact
If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.
Admissions Office
admissions@worc.ac.uk01905 855111More to explore
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