Independent PGCE
The Independent School Postgraduate Certificate of Education has been developed in close consultation with the HMC.
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About the course
Gain an internationally recognised teaching qualification while building the foundations to specialise in Education.
Many teachers want to gain a PGCE but perhaps are either not needing to focus on Qualified Teacher Status at this time, or their current position makes certain compliance matters challenging.
For over twenty years, the Independent Postgraduate Certificate in Education has been offering teachers who have not undergone a period of formal teacher education the opportunity to participate in a structured programme of teacher development. This course is for those teaching in Early Years, Primary, Preparatory and Senior Schools, as well as all SEND schools and Academies.
This course does not include Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), meaning this course does not need to follow the specifics set out by the DfE, and enables us to provide a varied, rigorous and creative course developing teachers in all settings. Plus, there is also the opportunity to specialise.
This course doesn’t need to follow the compliance requirements that might make the QTS routes problematic, i.e. timetable issues, and there is no need for a second school placement with the Independent PGCE.
It is entirely possible to apply for QTS after completing the IPGCE through our Assessment Only route, and your work with us on this course is taken into account. DfE compliance can then be taken into account at this point.
Specialist Routes Available
For September 2026, two new specialist routes are available through the IPGCE.
SEND IPGCE
This is particularly useful for those teachers working in SEND settings or have aspirations for SEND leadership. This can lead onto further qualification with Inclusive Educational Leadership. Additional content on SEND material is available during the course, and the opportunity to focus your PGCE writing in this area is also possible. This can be particularly helpful if your current teaching position is not currently compliant with DfE regulations.
Early Years
This route recognises that working with early years requires additional knowledge and an understanding of the specific guidance for working with these age groups. This can also lead onto further study with an Early Years focus as part of the MA programmes. Additional content on Early Years legislation and delivery is available during the course, as well as the opportunity to focus your PGCE writing in this area. This can be particularly helpful if your current teaching position is not compliant with DfE regulations.
Suitable for:
- Teachers working in the UK with a degree.
Course highlights
- “The vast range of support in place ensures you grow throughout the course.” Philip Pitcher, PGCE
- This course has the great opportunity for additional specialist training days, one in October and one in February where you are able to attend bonus training sessions not available to the QTS route.
- The PGCE is integrated into the course and upon successful completion you gain an internationally recognised teaching qualification in its own right.
- QTS can be gained after the course through a shortened AO route, built into this is recognition of the work completed on the IPGCE.
Course breakdown
The course runs for 37 weeks, from September to June, and covers a comprehensive and demanding curriculum. Covering all aspects of the Initial Teacher Training & Early Career Framework (ITTECF), you will learn about all aspects of working as a teacher. These include teaching strategies, child development, policies and processes and ways to ensure that effective learning takes place. We will work with you to strengthen your subject and curriculum knowledge.
Whilst studying on the Independent PGCE, you learn whilst working in the classroom. You will be fully supported by a Mentor in your own setting, along with participating in a blended learning programme provided by a team of experienced practitioners working with the University. You will be assigned a Tutor employed by the University who will visit you in your setting and work with you throughout the year. This course will support you as you develop your identity as a teacher and will help you to discover and refine your own teaching style.
You will be able to attend eight days of residentials across the course, during half terms. These will include the specialist delivery days only available for those on the IPGCE course. Topics for specialism will include:
- Behaviour Management and Wellbeing
- Boarding Education
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Early Years
- International Education
- Online Learning
- Pedagogy
- Philosophy and Purpose of Education
- Primary Literacy
- Primary Mathematics
- Reflective Practice
- SEND
- Social Impact and Leadership
For the PGCE, you will complete three assessments of 4,500 words each. These are spread through the course, and you will receive extensive course materials to help you complete these essays.
There are induction sessions to introduce you to how the course will run, which are held online in August to prepare you for the fully guided programme throughout the year.
For Prep and Secondary IPGCE trainees, different school subjects demand different teaching methods and resources, so part of the course will be taught by a subject specialist. We can teach many school subjects including Art, Music, Design Technology, Food Technology, Business Studies & Economics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Computing, English, Drama, Classics, Modern Languages, Arabic, Geography, History, Politics, Citizenship and PSHE, Religious Studies, Psychology and PE.
For Primary teachers, we will also cover an important overview of subjects that are part of the Core and Foundation curriculums.
View course modules
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Teaching and assessment
All of our postgraduate courses are taught and delivered online, so no matter where you are in your teaching career, or the world, you can with one of the most established teacher training providers in the UK.
Teaching methods
When the course begins you will have access to MOODLE, the University’s online learning platform. From there, you will access the course handbook, and all resources needed for successful completion of the course. The handbook provides a week-by-week guide showing you what the focus is for you and your mentor. All materials for successful completion are provided.
By taking the Post Graduate Certificate in Education, you will undertake a Level 7 (Masters) qualification that, if you complete successfully, will award you 60 credits. The PGCE is an academic qualification that allows you to reflect on your personal and professional development and respond positively to feedback.
Delivery of content through the course is provided through the residentials and through twilight webinars. The webinars are recorded and shared on Moodle once complete. These twilights are optional in terms of attendance as we know that many students struggle to be available at certain times. As you progress through the course, you will then have access to a library of films that you can re-visit, to support you to a successful outcome.
Assessment Methods
We will monitor your progress in covering the ITTECF and meeting the Teaching Standards to pass this course. You are expected to engage with the course materials, which will enable you to complete three assignments. You will be assessed for the PGCE by three 4,500–5,000-word essays.
Residentials draft dates
You will need to be available to attend these residential courses.
Residential 1
IPGCE Primary + All PE: Monday 26 – Wednesday 28 October 2026
IPGCE PREP & Secondary: Wednesday 28 – Friday 30 October 2026
Residential 2
IPGCE Primary + All PE: Monday 15 – Wednesday 17 February 2027
IPGCE PREP & Secondary: Wednesday 17 – Friday 19 February 2027
Residential 3
IPGCE Primary + All PE: Tuesday 1 June & Wednesday 2 June 2027
IPGCE PREP & Secondary: Wednesday 2 & Thursday 3 June 2027
Accommodation for all residentials will be arranged by the Faculty of Education staff. If you have any questions, please contact us: education@buckingham.ac.uk
After your course
After completing the Independent PGCE, you will have gained 60 Masters credits that can be put towards the Masters in Education programme. You may also want to continue to specialise in SEND and follow the Inclusive Educational Leadership programme.
If you wish to continue to gain Qualified Teacher Status you can apply for the Assessment Only route, as long as you are able to then meet the compliance requirements.
Upon completion of your Certificate, you can put what you have studied, researched and learnt into practice in your own educational setting. Here are just some of the career opportunities and skills that can stem from studying on this course:
Here are just some of the career opportunities and skills that can stem from studying on this course:
Career opportunities
- Pursuing leadership roles
- Applying for specialist roles relating to your areas of interest
- Continued research on your area of interest
Career skills
- Practitioner skills
- Communication skills
- Leadership skills
- Perseverance
- Resilience
Careers and Employability Support
Our courses strive to effectively combine academic challenge with the transferable skills that will stand you in good stead for future employment. The Buckingham tutorial teaching model means that our students are well prepared as they embark on their careers and future study.
Find out more about our Careers and Employability Service.
“Upon completing my postgraduate degree, I have undoubtedly obtained the necessary independent and research skills to embark on my professional journey. The extensive knowledge I have acquired through this advanced degree sets me apart from other candidates, giving me a distinct advantage.”
Eleanor, Postgraduate student
Entry requirements
To apply for this course, you must:
- Have a UK degree. For equivalent qualifications, contact education@buckingham.ac.uk to confirm that your qualification meets the University entry requirements.
- You must be employed as a teacher in an independent school or Academy and be in sole charge of a full-size class for a minimum of 10 hours a week. Every year, some of our applicants arrange to work in an independent school for the specific purpose of gaining this training, others have worked in the school for a year or more already.
The employing school must be able to fully support a candidate through the course, enabling them to demonstrate all of the Teachers’ Standards across the full age and ability range of training, and cannot be graded as inadequate.
Course fees
The fees for this course are:
| Start | Type | 1st Year | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Month Year Full-time (2 Years) | UK | £00,000 | £00,000 |
| INT | £00,000 | £00,000 | |
Month Year Full-time (2 Years) | UK | £00,000 | £00,000 |
| INT | £00,000 | £00,000 |
The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). 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 other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.
Scholarships and bursaries
How to apply
Apply direct
Apply online from this page as the most flexible option.
Need help?
Contact the Faculty of Education on +44 (0)1280 820222 or email: education@buckingham.ac.uk