PGCE for International Trainees (fully online)

“Although I had been teaching for 8 years previously, the PGCE had a significant impact on my practice, especially engaging with the weekly programme of readings. By the end of the course, the training hadn’t just impacted on me, it had improved practice in my department and the wider school!” – Ezzat AliPGCE for International Trainees (Secondary)

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education for International Trainees offers teachers based in schools outside the UK, who have not undergone a period of formal training, the opportunity to participate in a structured programme of professional development online. The course is adapted from our very popular Independent PGCE.

Course content

The PGCE for International Trainees is a 37-week school-based course, during which time you will work under the guidance of your in-school mentor. Each week you will be observed by your mentor, reflect on your practice and have a one-to-one meeting with your mentor to review progress and set targets.

Live course lectures, will take place on Thursdays (14 weeks) and will complement the weekly programme of course online resources. In addition, there will be two induction days in August to attend. Full details are below.

You will be assigned a university tutor who will meet you and your mentor regularly (approximately once a month) online to assess your progress and guide your development.

“…the time and effort my University tutor offered to my mentor and I was outstanding. She was a pleasure to work alongside and to have as a great support throughout..” Aishlin O’Rourke, PGCE for International Trainees (Primary).

What is involved in taking the PGCE?

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 masters credits (which you may want to put towards a full masters at a later date). The PGCE is an academic qualification that allows you to reflect on your personal and professional development and respond positively to feedback.

The qualification is assessed by three assignments that collectively enable students to:

• Research their own practice and reflect on effective strategies for effective teaching and learning
• Critically analyse, engage in and reflect on educational issues, philosophies and initiatives
• Take responsibility for their own learning and study independently
• Function as independently-minded professionals capable of contributing to wider educational debate

The PGCE consists of 3 modules.

Module 1: Educational Principles –The Fundamentals of Teaching and Learning (20 credits)

Trainees will be required to demonstrate awareness of how children learn, basic philosophical principles underlying educational theory and teaching practice. All students will study a core of educational topics that are central to the work of a critically reflective practitioner. These topics will be delivered across the course and assessed through a written assignment at the end of the course.

Module 2: Development of Effective Practice (20 credits)

Trainees will be required to demonstrate understanding of the complexities and diversity required in teaching and assessment for learning. Assessment will be through a written assignment.

Module 3: Consolidating and Reflection (20 credits)

Trainees will be required to reflect on their learning as well as professional development and show how educational theory is linked to teaching practice. Assessment will be through a written assignment.

We are able to offer the course in most subjects and to all age levels. Your University tutor will be a subject specialist. Subjects that you can do your PGCE in include: Art, Music, Design Technology, Food Technology, Business Studies and Economics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Computer Science, English (not English as an additional language), Drama, Classics, Modern Languages, Geography, History, Religious Studies, Psychology, and Physical Education.

This course may be available taught in Arabic (see below).

What about QTS?

QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), awarded by the Department for Education is not included in this PGCE qualification. If QTS is something of interest then you could consider taking the iQTS (with PGCE) qualification (link) or you could consider taking the using the Assessment Only route (AO) as long as all compliance aspects required by the DfE are met.

Training Dates 2025/26

Attendance for all training is mandatory. Training will be delivered on Zoom.