PG Cert Coaching & Mentoring
Course Overview
The PG Cert Coaching and Mentoring for Education Practitioners is designed for educators who want to strengthen professional learning, teacher development, and collaborative practice within their organisation.
This course is ideal for teachers, mentors, coaches, middle leaders, senior leaders, and professional development leads who are involved in — or responsible for — coaching, mentoring, lesson observation, performance development, or collaborative professional learning.
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all model, the programme allows participants to contextualise their learning within their own professional setting. You will critically examine coaching and mentoring practices, explore current research and theory, and develop an evidence-informed approach to improving professional learning across career stages.
By the end of the course, you will be able to confidently design, evaluate, and lead coaching and mentoring practices that support teacher growth, enhance school culture, and contribute meaningfully to whole-school improvement.
Academic Structure
The programme is delivered at Level 7 (postgraduate level) and consists of 60 UK credits, studied part-time over one academic year through a blended model (distance learning with optional campus engagement).
Core Module (Compulsory – 60 credits)
Semester 1–2
- •Developing Evidence-Informed Coaching and Mentoring Practice for Professional Development (60 credits)
The single-module structure enables sustained, in-depth enquiry, allowing students to build, test, and refine their practice over time rather than through disconnected assessments.
Assessment Approach
- Assessment is via a professional portfolio (equivalent to 12,000 words)
- No exams
- Portfolio developed progressively across the course
- Supported by formative feedback from peers and tutors
Through the portfolio, students critically address:
- Their own coaching and mentoring practice
- How theory and research inform reflection and improvement
- How to build a robust, evidence-based approach within their context
This ensures assessment is deeply relevant, reflective, and professionally meaningful.
Recognition & Accreditation
- Award: Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) Coaching and Mentoring for Education Practitioners
- Level: Level 7 (UK postgraduate qualification)
- Credits: 60 UK credits
- Awarding Body: Leeds Beckett University
This internationally recognised postgraduate qualification demonstrates advanced professional expertise in coaching, mentoring, and collaborative professional development.
It supports career progression into roles such as:
- •Instructional coach or mentor
- •Professional development or CPD lead
- •Middle or senior leadership roles focused on teaching quality
- •School-based or system-level improvement roles
Students also gain access to — and contribute to — CollectivED, Leeds Beckett University's research and practice hub for mentoring and coaching, strengthening professional networks and academic credibility.
Flexibility & Support
This course is specifically designed to meet the needs of busy education professionals balancing leadership responsibilities with postgraduate study.
Flexible Blended Delivery
- Part-time study over one year
- Combination of distance learning and optional campus-based engagement
- Learning approach can be negotiated to suit professional demands
- Suitable for both UK-based and international educators
Academic & Professional Support
- Access to experienced academic staff with expertise in coaching and mentoring research
- Structured guidance throughout the portfolio development process
- Ongoing formative feedback from tutors and peers
Community of Practice
- Strong emphasis on collaborative learning
- Participation in an academic community of practice supported by CollectivED
- Opportunities to engage with current research, professional dialogue, and publication-informed practice
Learning Resources
- Online discussion boards and learning materials via the Virtual Learning Environment
- Access to university library resources and academic support services
PGCE Webinar 2026
Watch our latest PGCE information webinar with Leeds Beckett University to learn more about the courses, entry requirements, and what to expect as a student.