What Is the New PGCert in Professional Tutoring – and Why Does It Matter?

If you've ever had a tutor to help you with schoolwork, you've probably wondered: how do tutors become so good at explaining things? Do they go to a special school for that? Until recently, there wasn’t really a formal training program just for tutors, unlike classroom teachers, who usually study for a special qualification called a PGCE.

But that’s now changing with the arrival of a new course: the PGCert in Professional Tutoring provided by the University of Worcester. Click here to find out more, but right now, let’s explore what this means, how it’s different from the PGCE, and why this matters so much for students and tutors alike.

What is the PGCert in Professional Tutoring?

The PGCert in Professional Tutoring (or "Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Tutoring") is a new qualification designed specifically for tutors. It’s a university-level course that teaches people how to be better tutors—how to plan sessions, support students of all kinds, and handle the challenges that come with one-to-one or small group teaching.

The course gives tutors real training in:

• How students learn and how to help them remember things
• How to build confidence in students who feel unsure of themselves
• Creating fun and effective lesson plans
• Supporting students with different needs, like dyslexia or ADHD
• Working ethically, making sure tutoring is always fair and respectful

Tutors who complete this course earn a university certificate, just like other professional educators. That’s a big deal, especially because tutoring is becoming more important in education around the world.

So, What’s a PGCE Then?

A PGCE, or Postgraduate Certificate in Education, is a well-known qualification that trains people to become classroom teachers. It takes around a year to complete and includes time spent teaching in actual schools. People with a PGCE often go on to become full-time teachers in primary or secondary schools.

Here’s how the PGCE is different from the new PGCert in Professional Tutoring:

So basically: PGCE = classroom teacher. PGCert in Professional Tutoring = professional tutor.

Why Is Tutoring Getting More Important?

Over the past few years, tutoring has become way more common. That’s partly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which interrupted school for millions of students. Many families and schools turned to tutors to help kids catch up, especially in key subjects like maths and English.

Also, tutoring is now used in schools as part of official government programs, like the National Tutoring Programme in the UK. That means more tutors are being hired, not just privately by families, but also by schools and tutoring agencies.

The problem? While teachers usually need a PGCE or a similar qualification, many tutors don’t have any formal training. Some are great at their jobs, but others may not really know how to teach well. That’s where the PGCert in Professional Tutoring comes in. It gives tutors the skills, knowledge, and confidence to do their job right.

Why Do Tutors Need a Qualification? Isn’t Being Good at a Subject Enough?

Imagine you're great at maths. You got top marks in your exams. That’s awesome, but it doesn’t mean you know how to teach maths.

Being a good tutor isn’t just about knowing the subject. It’s about:

• Explaining things clearly in different ways
• Understanding when a student is stuck, even if they don’t say it
• Helping nervous students feel confident
• Encouraging independent learning, not just giving answers
• Knowing when to challenge or support more

Without training, tutors might do things that don’t actually help. They might talk too much, move too fast, or accidentally make a student feel worse. With the PGCert, tutors learn how to teach, not just what to teach.

What Will Students Learn from Better Trained Tutors?

If you’re a student who has tutoring (or might in the future), having a tutor with a PGCert can make a big difference. It means:

• You’re more likely to have a tutor who knows how to explain things well
• Sessions will be better planned and suited to your learning style
• The tutor will know how to support you if you’re stressed, anxious, or behind
• You’ll build skills you can use in school and life, not just for one test
• You’ll be taught by someone who’s been properly trained, just like a schoolteacher

Tutoring isn’t just about passing tests. A good tutor can help you love learning again, believe in yourself, and discover your strengths. That’s why training matters.

Who Can Take the PGCert in Professional Tutoring?

This course is designed for people who are already tutoring or want to become tutors. That could include:

• University students who want to tutor part-time
• Former teachers who are now tutoring
• Professionals who tutor in a subject they know well (like maths, science, or English)
• Anyone working for a tutoring agency
• People offering online tutoring around the world

It’s flexible, which means you can often study while you’re working as a tutor. And because it’s a postgraduate course, you usually need a degree (or something similar) to apply.

What About Students Like You? How Can You Tell if a Tutor Is Qualified?

If you or your family are looking for a tutor, it’s okay to ask questions like:

• "Do you have any training or qualifications in tutoring?”
• "Have you done the PGCert in Professional Tutoring or something similar?”
• "What’s your approach to helping students like me?”

Tutors who have done the PGCert will be proud of it, and they should be! It shows that they care about doing their job well and helping you learn in the best way possible.

Conclusion: A New Era for Tutoring

The PGCert in Professional Tutoring is a big step forward. For a long time, tutoring was kind of the "wild west” of education—anyone could do it, and there weren’t many rules or standards. Now, with this new qualification, tutoring is becoming a true profession.

That’s good news for tutors who want to improve. It’s even better news for students like you, because it means your tutor will be someone who’s trained, thoughtful, and ready to help you succeed.

So the next time you hear about someone doing the PGCert in Professional Tutoring, you’ll know: they’re not just smart. They’re learning how to help you be smart, too.

Are you a tutor? How do you feel about the new PGCert qualification? Are you considering taking it? Why/why not? Let us know in the coments below!