Postgraduate Certificate in Mentoring (fully online)

This is a six-month online course worth 60 credits at level 7.

From September 2021 all schools need to apply the Early Careers’ Framework process to their Early Career Teachers. This requires good mentors.

This programme is a distance learning course, which comprises two 30 credit modules at Level 7 that will include covering many aspects of the Mentor Standards (DfE National Standards for school-based mentors, 2016). Examining these standards enables participants to be able to respond to demands from Ofsted regarding the quality of mentoring in their community. Looking at the Mentor Standards will be combined with rigorous academic study at Masters level, evaluating and critiquing a range of academic research relating to mentoring and relating to leadership skills and behaviours, integrating research with practice throughout. Students will be able to critically analyse, engage in and reflect on mentoring and evaluate the implications for their own educational setting.  They will be expected to develop their ability to explore what it means to be a critically reflective practitioner in their work as a mentor.

If you are interested in developing your knowledge further check out our Postgraduate Diploma in Mentoring and MA in Education (Mentoring).

To apply for this course, you must:

• have a UK degree (2.2 or above).  For equivalent qualifications, contact education@buckingham.ac.uk to confirm that your qualification meets the University entry requirements.
• be working as a mentor in an educational context

This course will be taught online through 22 twilight webinars across two terms. You will have direct access to your own personal tutor.

Assessment is carried out through written assignments. Guidance and support are given through the courses regarding the expectations of writing at Master’s level.

The course consists of two modules as follows:

Module 1: Introduction to Mentoring Theory 

The first of the two modules in the Postgraduate Certificate introduces a range of theories relating to mentoring in education.  One aim is to respond to the findings of the Carter Review (2015) into mentoring in ITT. This suggests that more attention should be given to the quality of training for mentors working in schools. Ofsted recommends that this training needs to be rigorous, in that it should go beyond the ‘structure and nature of the course’ and should look to develop the skills of mentoring. Another aim is to combine the practical needs of mentoring in education with a wide range of scholarship on this topic.

Module 2: A Research Based Approach to Mentoring

This module builds upon the first module and focuses on an examination of existing research to understand how theory is implemented into practice. Building upon the theory and models explored in the previous module, these topics aim to synthesise theory with experience. This module focuses on developing further the skills required for effective mentoring.

Aims of the Programme

• To provide an in-depth analysis of the Mentor Standards

• • 1. Personal qualities
  • 2. Teaching
  • 3. Professionalism
  • 4. Self-development and working in partnership

• To combine practice with relevant research and evidence-based practice in academic study at Master’s level
• To enable participants to reflect upon and improve their support of mentees
• Through the development of academic criticality, and the synthesis of this with relevant evidence-informed practice, to prepare participants to become well-informed educational leaders of the future

Who should take this course?  

• Teachers in the UK and internationally
• Current mentors on ITT programmes
• Mentors in SCITTs
• Alumni
• Overseas teachers

The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering educational services. If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.

Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and so on. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.

Applicants must also pay a non-refundable £275 registration fee.

Please use the ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of this page; or call The Faculty of Education on +44 (0)1280 820222 or email: education@buckingham.ac.uk

Closing date: 24 July 2023