Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary Education
Develop a research-informed approach to teaching approved secondary subjects.
About the course
Develop a research-informed approach to teaching approved secondary subjects. You will examine adolescent learning, curriculum demands and classroom assessment, then apply these ideas through supported teaching practice.
What you'll learn
Interpret curriculum requirements in an approved subject.
Plan explanations and tasks suited to secondary learners.
Develop assessments with clear learning criteria.
Respond to language and participation barriers.
Evaluate teaching through observation and learner evidence.
Requirements
Entry requires a relevant bachelor’s degree or an assessed equivalent. English Language is required. BMIT assesses any professional registration, prior practice or supervised-placement requirement specific to this postgraduate diploma.
African Kalanga is a compulsory graduation subject in every year of this programme. BMIT confirms the approved entry route, any recognition of prior learning and access to required practical facilities before enrolment.
Course Content
The complete subject sequence below moves from foundations to specialist application. Levels show learning progression. Practical work and the final project draw together the subjects studied.
2 learning levels 16 subjects
Select a subject to read its learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment.
Level 1: Foundations
Africa Indigenous Language: African Kalanga 101Compulsory graduation subject · Year 1
Develop African Kalanga through foundations for education, training and development. Practise with authentic tasks, feedback and reflection across the programme year.
Learning outcomes
- Use African Kalanga accurately for Year 1 study and practice.
- Explain language choices to the intended audience.
- Revise your work using speaker and facilitator feedback.
Main topics
- Pronunciation
- Everyday vocabulary
- Listening
- Reading and respectful introductions
Practical task
Record a short introduction and explain its meaning to a peer.
Assessment
Submit the practical work, a brief reflection and evidence of language review. Assessment checks meaning, audience fit and improvement after feedback.
Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation 101Compulsory core module · Level 1
Identify a real need, study the people affected and develop a responsible idea for a product, service or process. Apply critical analysis and relevant research to a specialist setting. Apply this learning to Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary Education through an authentic brief and feedback from an appropriate audience.
Learning outcomes
- Investigate a defined opportunity and explain the evidence behind it.
- Develop and refine a creative response that fits the people and setting.
- Evaluate feasibility, ethical implications and the quality of the result.
Main topics
- Opportunity recognition
- Creative problem framing
- Community and user research
- Ethics and inclusion
- Idea generation and selection
Practical task
Investigate a need related to Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary Education. Interview or observe intended users with consent, compare possible responses and present one justified concept.
Assessment
Submit an opportunity brief, research notes, a concept sketch and a reflection on feedback. Support your decisions with current research and a critical account of limitations. Assessment considers the quality of the evidence, the response to feedback, feasibility and your individual explanation.
African History and Pan Africanism 101Compulsory core module · Level 1
Study African history through oral, written and archaeological evidence. Examine the diversity of African societies, knowledge and exchange, then trace the emergence of Pan African ideas about identity, solidarity and self-determination.
Learning outcomes
- Place selected African societies and events within a supported historical timeline.
- Compare historical sources and identify perspective, evidence and uncertainty.
- Explain the foundations of Pan Africanism and the contributions of Africans and the diaspora.
Main topics
- Historical inquiry, chronology, oral traditions and source evaluation
- African civilisations, states, trade, livelihoods and knowledge systems
- Southern African history, including Mapungubgwe and Great Zimbabwe
- Slavery, the African diaspora and changing ideas about identity
- Origins of Pan Africanism, solidarity, self-determination and cultural expression
Practical task
Create an annotated timeline or digital learning poster on a selected African society or historical development. Compare at least two credible sources and explain one connection with your field of study.
Assessment
Submit the timeline or poster, an annotated source list and a short explanation of the evidence. Assessment considers chronology, historical accuracy, source judgement and the clarity of your interpretation.
Learning resources
Adolescent Development and Learning
Connect adolescent development with supportive secondary teaching. You will examine identity, peer relationships, cognitive development. Design a response to an anonymised adolescent-learning scenario.
Learning outcomes
- Explain identity in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between peer relationships and cognitive development.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing motivation, wellbeing and school transitions.
Main topics
- Identity
- Peer relationships
- Cognitive development
- Motivation
- Wellbeing
- School transitions
Practical task
Design a response to an anonymised adolescent-learning scenario.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Curriculum Studies
Translate curriculum intentions into a coherent learning sequence. You will examine curriculum aims, knowledge selection, progression. Map outcomes, content and assessment for a learning unit.
Learning outcomes
- Explain curriculum aims in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between knowledge selection and progression.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing integration, contextual adaptation and curriculum evaluation.
Main topics
- Curriculum aims
- Knowledge selection
- Progression
- Integration
- Contextual adaptation
- Curriculum evaluation
Practical task
Map outcomes, content and assessment for a learning unit.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Lesson Planning and Facilitation
Plan lessons with clear learner actions and evidence of learning. You will examine learning outcomes, prior knowledge, instruction sequence. Teach a short lesson and revise the plan from learner responses.
Learning outcomes
- Explain learning outcomes in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between prior knowledge and instruction sequence.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing learning activities, questioning and closure.
Main topics
- Learning outcomes
- Prior knowledge
- Instruction sequence
- Learning activities
- Questioning
- Closure
Practical task
Teach a short lesson and revise the plan from learner responses.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Educational Assessment
Design fair assessments and use results to guide teaching. You will examine assessment purpose, task design, marking criteria. Produce an assessment task, rubric and feedback plan.
Learning outcomes
- Explain assessment purpose in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between task design and marking criteria.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing feedback, moderation and use of results.
Main topics
- Assessment purpose
- Task design
- Marking criteria
- Feedback
- Moderation
- Use of results
Practical task
Produce an assessment task, rubric and feedback plan.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Inclusive Education
Identify participation barriers and plan accessible learning support. You will examine learning barriers, universal design, differentiation. Adapt a lesson and assessment for a specified access need.
Learning outcomes
- Explain learning barriers in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between universal design and differentiation.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing assistive resources, referral and family collaboration.
Main topics
- Learning barriers
- Universal design
- Differentiation
- Assistive resources
- Referral
- Family collaboration
Practical task
Adapt a lesson and assessment for a specified access need.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
English Language and Literature for Teachers
Develop subject knowledge for informed English teaching. You will examine grammar, text analysis, literary genres. Prepare an annotated text study and teaching explanation.
Learning outcomes
- Explain grammar in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between text analysis and literary genres.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing writing, language variation and critical reading.
Main topics
- Grammar
- Text analysis
- Literary genres
- Writing
- Language variation
- Critical reading
Practical task
Prepare an annotated text study and teaching explanation.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Mathematical Knowledge for Teachers
Strengthen reasoning behind school mathematics and common errors. You will examine number systems, algebra, functions. Produce worked explanations and analyse mathematical misconceptions.
Learning outcomes
- Explain number systems in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between algebra and functions.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing geometry, measurement and statistics.
Main topics
- Number systems
- Algebra
- Functions
- Geometry
- Measurement
- Statistics
Practical task
Produce worked explanations and analyse mathematical misconceptions.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Educational Technology
Select digital tools according to learning purpose and access. You will examine learning platforms, digital resources, interaction. Build an accessible digital activity and test the learner flow.
Learning outcomes
- Explain learning platforms in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between digital resources and interaction.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing accessibility, data privacy and technology evaluation.
Main topics
- Learning platforms
- Digital resources
- Interaction
- Accessibility
- Data privacy
- Technology evaluation
Practical task
Build an accessible digital activity and test the learner flow.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Level 2: Core subjects
Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation 201Compulsory core module · Level 2
Turn a promising idea into a testable proposal using evidence, creative methods and basic resource planning. Apply critical analysis and relevant research to a specialist setting. Apply this learning to Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary Education through an authentic brief and feedback from an appropriate audience.
Learning outcomes
- Investigate a defined opportunity and explain the evidence behind it.
- Develop and refine a creative response that fits the people and setting.
- Evaluate feasibility, ethical implications and the quality of the result.
Main topics
- Co-design and prototyping
- Value proposition
- Feasibility and costs
- Risk and responsible practice
- Testing and iteration
Practical task
Develop a small prototype or service model for a Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary Education problem. Test it with relevant users, record feedback and revise the proposal.
Assessment
Submit a prototype, a feasibility note, user feedback and a record of revisions. Support your decisions with current research and a critical account of limitations. Assessment considers the quality of the evidence, the response to feedback, feasibility and your individual explanation.
African History and Pan Africanism 201Compulsory core module · Level 2
Examine colonial change, resistance and liberation across Africa, with attention to Zimbabwe and South Africa. Compare Pan African movements, organisations and debates, including contributions from women, workers and diaspora communities.
Learning outcomes
- Analyse the effects of colonial rule on land, labour, institutions and social relations.
- Compare liberation movements and Pan African arguments using contextual evidence.
- Explain how different groups shaped independence, solidarity and debates about freedom.
Main topics
- Colonial rule, land, labour, education and forms of resistance
- Nationalism, liberation and the end of colonial rule and apartheid
- Pan African congresses, organisations and contrasting interpretations
- Women, labour movements and diaspora participation
- The Organisation of African Unity and debates about unity, sovereignty and development
Practical task
Develop a comparative case study of a liberation issue or Pan African debate relevant to Southern Africa. Use a historical document alongside a scholarly account and explain differences in purpose and interpretation.
Assessment
Submit the case study, a source comparison and a reflection on your conclusions. Assessment considers context, evidence, recognition of different perspectives and the quality of your argument.
Learning resources
Research Methods and Evidence Analysis
Plan an enquiry suited to a specific social or organisational question. You will compare qualitative and quantitative approaches, prepare ethical data collection and assess evidence quality. The module connects research questions to sampling, analysis and clear reporting of uncertainty and limitations.
Learning outcomes
- Formulate a research question
- Select a defensible research design
- Prepare an ethical data collection plan
Main topics
- Research questions
- Literature review
- Design choices
- Sampling
- Ethics
- Data analysis
Practical task
Submit a research proposal, instruments and a worked analysis of a pilot dataset.
Assessment
Assessment combines applied exercises, a documented case or practical portfolio and an individual written or oral explanation. Judgement considers technical accuracy, reasoning, evidence quality and the feasibility of recommendations.
Classroom Action Research
Investigate a teaching problem through an ethical enquiry cycle. You will examine problem identification, evidence review, action planning. Conduct an approved classroom enquiry using anonymised evidence.
Learning outcomes
- Explain problem identification in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between evidence review and action planning.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing classroom evidence, evaluation and revision.
Main topics
- Problem identification
- Evidence review
- Action planning
- Classroom evidence
- Evaluation
- Revision
Practical task
Conduct an approved classroom enquiry using anonymised evidence.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Teaching Practice III: Professional Integration
Integrate planning, teaching and assessment in an approved placement. You will examine independent planning, supervised delivery, learner support. Complete supervised teaching and defend a professional portfolio.
Learning outcomes
- Explain independent planning in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between supervised delivery and learner support.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing professional collaboration, evidence of learning and development planning.
Main topics
- Independent planning
- Supervised delivery
- Learner support
- Professional collaboration
- Evidence of learning
- Development planning
Practical task
Complete supervised teaching and defend a professional portfolio.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Practical Learning
Authentic e-learning at BMIT
BMIT uses Authentic E-Learning to connect your studies with practical problems in your field. You use digital resources to investigate a realistic brief, make decisions and produce work for a defined purpose and audience. Your qualification's activities below put this approach into practice.
How you will learn
The approach draws on nine elements of authentic learning:
- Realistic contexts: Work with situations relevant to your profession or community.
- Purposeful tasks: Investigate a substantial problem with more than one possible solution.
- Expert examples: Examine demonstrations and examples of professional reasoning.
- Different perspectives: Compare sources and consider the needs of different people.
- Collaboration: Share ideas and review work with peers, while showing your own contribution.
- Reflection: Record what worked, what changed and what needs improvement.
- Explanation: Present your reasoning and support your decisions with evidence.
- Guidance: Use tutor feedback and structured support as you develop independence.
- Authentic assessment: Demonstrate learning through the task and its practical outcome.
From a brief to a practical outcome
Start by identifying the problem, intended audience and assessment criteria. Investigate relevant evidence, plan your response and develop an initial solution. Use discussion and feedback to test your ideas, then revise your work and explain your choices.
Digital tools support research, collaboration, simulation and the presentation of evidence. Your output depends on the module. Examples include a business proposal, technical design, tested program, investigation report or community resource. Keep drafts, calculations, test results and reflections to show how your work developed.
The module brief sets the required tasks, individual and group responsibilities, submission format and assessment criteria. The practical activities and supervision requirements for this qualification are set out below.
Research informing this approach
- Herrington, J. Authentic Learning: nine elements of authentic learning.
- Lombardi, M. M. (2007). Authentic learning for the 21st century: An overview. EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative.
- Parker, J., Maor, D. and Herrington, J. (2013). Authentic online learning: Aligning learner needs, pedagogy and technology. Issues in Educational Research, 23(2), 227–241.
Use guided online cases, realistic briefs and feedback to develop practical work. Any workplace or community activity requires suitable supervision and permission.
What you will practise
- Inclusive Education: Adapt a lesson and assessment for a specified access need.
- Classroom Action Research: Conduct an approved classroom enquiry using anonymised evidence.
- Adolescent Development and Learning: Design a response to an anonymised adolescent-learning scenario.
Applied project
Complete proposed supervised teaching in the approved subjects and phase. Use a mentor’s feedback and anonymised learner work to evaluate explanations, tasks and assessment decisions.
Evidence and feedback
- Subject-pedagogy and curriculum tasks.
- Microteaching with peer and tutor feedback.
- Observed school practice and a professional portfolio.
Assessment considers the practical work you submit, the evidence behind your decisions and how you respond to feedback.
African History and Pan Africanism practical learning
- African History and Pan Africanism 101: Create an annotated timeline or digital learning poster on a selected African society or historical development. Compare at least two credible sources and explain one connection with your field of study.
- African History and Pan Africanism 201: Develop a comparative case study of a liberation issue or Pan African debate relevant to Southern Africa. Use a historical document alongside a scholarly account and explain differences in purpose and interpretation.
Career Prospects
These examples show work across this qualification pathway, from support roles to specialist and management posts. Your entry point depends on your study, experience and employer requirements. Regulated roles require separate recognition or registration.
Top Career Paths and Job Titles
- Teaching assistant: Supports classroom preparation and learner activities.
- Secondary school teacher: Teaches a subject after meeting teacher registration requirements.
- Subject education specialist: Develops curriculum, assessment or teacher support.
- Assessment support teacher: Develops practice tasks and reviews learner progress with a registered teacher.
- Subject department lead: Coordinates curriculum and mentoring after gaining teaching experience.
Growth and Leadership Trajectory
- Starting practice: After meeting entry and any registration requirements, begin with the work represented by Teaching assistant. Build supervised experience and keep a record of reliable work.
- Specialist progression: Relevant study and evidence from more complex projects support a move towards Secondary school teacher or Subject education specialist.
- Leadership: With substantial experience, a role such as Subject department lead adds responsibility for people, quality, budgets or service decisions.
Further Education to Boost Prospects
- Next study step: A relevant master’s degree in secondary education is a possible next step. Research preparation or bridging study may be required.
Professional Certifications and Registrations
- SACE: Teaching in South Africa requires educator registration. SACE checks the specific teaching qualification and registration category. Check official requirements.
Potential Government and Industrial Employers
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management: Start or manage a small venture related to this field. Regulated work still requires the relevant professional registration or licence.
- Private and commercial organisations: Secondary schools.
- Specialist employers: Tutoring and curriculum providers.
- Research and community organisations: Education NGOs.
- Government departments and public bodies: Public schools and education departments.