Pont i Bawb: A stepping stone to teaching

What is Pont i Bawb?

This is a Wales-wide part time distance learning programme for you to get the qualifications you need to study the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)*, the degree required to become a qualified teacher, at the OU in Wales.

Pont i Bawb is delivered by Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC) through online learning, which means that you can study from home, as well as three in-person sessions which will involve teaching and/or assessment. It’s a part-time programme, which means that you can learn alongside your current job. It’s fully funded so you won’t have to pay anything.

The GCSE qualifications are studied mostly via part-time distance learning. That means you can study online from the comfort of your home and around your existing work commitments. Pont i Bawb also includes three in-person sessions delivered at Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC) which will involve teaching and assessment.

The programme starts September 2025 and ends May/June 2026.

What qualifications will I get?

You have the option to study for up to two GCSEs in Maths, English Language or Biology**. To apply to the PGCE at the OU in Wales, you’ll need a grade C or above in Mathematics or Mathematics-numeracy, as well as English Language or Welsh First Language. If you want to become a primary school teacher, you’ll also need GCSE Science at Grade C or above. To apply to the PGCE, you’ll also need a full 360 credit UK honours degree (or equivalent)^†. These are the entry requirements set by the Welsh Government for all PGCE providers in Wales, and without the required qualifications you won’t be able to apply to the PGCE programme.

How will the qualifications help me in my career?

The OU in Wales and CAVC have developed Pont i Bawb to help aspiring teachers to achieve their GCSE qualifications, and go on to study the PGCE at the OU in Wales.

Completing the PGCE at the OU in Wales will allow you to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) at either primary or secondary school level – meaning you can be employed as a teacher.

Why choose CAVC and The Open University in Wales?

The OU in Wales are the experts in part time distance learning, and are the largest provider of part-time undergraduate higher education in Wales. With over 50 years of experience in supported online learning, we’ll make sure that you don’t feel distant. You’ll get regular support from your tutor, other students, and your student support team.

The Pont i Bawb programme, delivered by CAVC, also uses online learning to allow you to fit study around your life. You will have access to a CAVC tutor over the course of the programme.

The Open University’s part time online courses mean that you get to choose where and when to study, giving you the opportunity to earn a qualification without giving up on what’s important to you. Whether it’s working, parenting, caring or just enjoying time with family and friends, our courses fit around your life.

So, once you successfully complete your GCSE qualifications via Pont i Bawb, you can carry on by joining the OU in Wales to study part-time for your PGCE. At the OU in Wales there’s also a range of support available for fees and funding including part-time tuition fee loans and flexible payment options. Find out more about PGCE fees and funding at the OU in Wales.

How do I apply to the Pont i Bawb programme?

Email OUGCSE@cavc.ac.uk with your full name, email address, phone number and the GCSE qualification(s) that you’d like to study for: Maths, English Language or Biology. Please note, you can study a maximum of two GCSE qualifications in one academic year via Pont i Bawb.

The programme starts September 2025 and ends May/June 2026.

*Following successful application and selection criteria.

**You must already have a grade D in Maths, English or Biology to join Pont i Bawb.

†For full details about PGCE programme entry requirements, please visit our PGCE qualification web page.