PGCE for International Trainees

Next start date

September 2026

Location

Online, part-time

Course duration

37 weeks

Fees

£4,800

Our PGCE for International Trainees is a fully online course, which offers teachers around the world the chance to gain an internationally-recognised postgraduate teaching qualification.

Join one of our upcoming webinars to find out more about our courses.

Find Out More

Course Overview

Advance Your Teaching Career

Develop your teaching expertise and gain a Master's-level Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Buckingham while progressing your career in the classroom.

Designed specifically for educators working across the world, this flexible programme combines educational research with practical classroom application, allowing you to improve your teaching while continuing to work.

Whether you're looking to strengthen your classroom practice or open the door to future career opportunities, this PGCE provides an internationally recognised qualification to suit you.

Why choose this PGCE?

  • Designed for teachers working internationally
  • Study while you work, complete in just 37 weeks
  • UK University Master's-level qualification
  • 60 Master's credits towards a future Master's degree
  • No previous teacher training qualification required.

What You'll Learn

You'll develop the knowledge and practical skills to become a more effective, reflective teacher through topics including:

  • Child development and how pupils learn
  • Evidence-informed teaching practice
  • Curriculum planning and assessment
  • Subject-specific pedagogy
  • Classroom management and behaviour
  • Practical strategies to improve learning outcomes
  • Professional reflection and continuous development

Everything you learn can be applied immediately within your own classroom.

Subject-Specific Support

Throughout the programme you'll be supported by a University tutor with expertise in your teaching subject.

The PGCE is available in a wide range of subjects, including Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design Technology, Drama, Economics, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology and Religious Studies.

A Qualification That Opens Doors

On successful completion you'll receive a Level 7 Postgraduate Certificate in Education, worth 60 Master's credits.

If you wish to continue your studies, your Master's credits can also be transferred towards a full Master's degree.

Applicants can upgrade this course to meet requirements for gaining Registered Teacher Status in Hong Kong, contact us for more details.

Course Content

Course Content

The PGCE programme consists of 3 modules. All modules are practice based and aim to enable trainees to develop and refine their ability to teach and play a full part in the life of a school. The practical aims will be supplemented by the learning of key aspects of educational theory and policy together with fundamental aspects of assessment and teaching practice.

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.

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.

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: Academic learning for modules 1-3 is assessed with written assignments and classroom observation.

Course Delivery

Course Delivery

The PGCE for International Trainees is a 37-week school-based course. All applicants must be employed by a school for the duration of the course and be able to put into practice knowledge and skills gained from the course content.

Trainees will be guided through each stage of the course:

  • Two online induction sessions will introduce you to how the course will run. 
  • You will work under the guidance of a mentor (appointed by the school in which you work), who will organise lesson observations and meet with you weekly to review progress and set targets. 
  • You are allocated a University of Buckingham tutor who will meet you and your mentor regularly (approximately once a month) online to track progress and guide your development.
  • You will participate in regular live lectures, which occur on Thursdays (14 weeks), which are important to attend as a condition of the course. 
  • All resources for the course are provided online and there will be a weekly programme of readings and reflective tasks to engage in.

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements

  1. You must have a university bachelor's degree. If your degree was not awarded by a UK university, you will need a statement of comparability from UK ENIC. Please refer to our guidance here.
  2. You must be employed as a teacher in a school abroad that teaches English National Curriculum subjects or the International Baccalaureate (IB) and be in charge of a full-size class for a minimum of 10 hours a week.
  3. You will need to have IELTS 6.5 (with 6.0 or above in each component) or an equivalent English level qualification as per the University's English Language Requirements.
  4. Your school must be happy to support you doing the PGCE course and release you for the compulsory live online lectures on Thursdays.
  5. Your school must commit to providing an experienced member of staff in the school to act as your mentor, observing your lessons, providing feedback and discussing the weekly tasks set by the University of Buckingham.

Fees

Fees

PGCE: £4,800*

We also offer the International Qualified Teacher Status with PGCE qualification, two qualifications combined at a discounted rate. For more details see the iQTS page.

Fees are invoiced for in September, at the beginning of the course, and can be paid in termly instalments or in one lump sum. Termly instalments can be arranged directly with the Finance department upon receipt of the invoice.

All fees are charged directly by the University of Buckingham, BISE will not add any additional charges for our services.

*Hong Kong Registered Teacher Status - If you are looking to gain Hong Kong registered teacher status, you can upgrade this course to meet Hong Kong Education Bureau requirements. Please contact us for more details.

How To Apply

How To Apply

Click Apply Now below to apply online through Buckingham International School of Education. We will support you to complete your application before submitting it directly to the University of Buckingham.

If you have any queries, click Ask a Question and our admissions team members will endeavour to reply to your enquiry within 24 hours.

Our admissions staff are based in Mainland China and Hong Kong and our hours of business are 10am to 7pm (GMT+8), Mon-Fri.

Admissions for September 2026 intake will close on 15 July 2026.

FAQ's

What's the difference between iQTS and PGCE?

The PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) is an academic postgraduate qualification that awards 60 master's-level credits. These credits can often be transferred towards a related master's degree, covering up to one-third of the programme. iQTS (International Qualified Teacher Status) is a professional teaching qualification that results in a teaching licence issued by England's Department for Education. It's widely recognised by international schools globally and can sometimes be converted into a local teaching licence in other countries.

What is the iQTS with PGCE?

The iQTS and PGCE courses have overlapping content, so we have created a combined course of iQTS with PGCE. This enables you to gain a UK teaching licence (Qualified Teacher Status), which is widely recognised in many international schools, as well as a strong academic foundation with 60 Master's level credits, giving you the option to progress to a master's degree in the future.

When can I apply?

You can apply throughout the year up to your course's individual application deadline. If your application deadline has passed, do get in touch with us as the university may be able to accommodate late applications, provided all the required documentation can be provided before the course start date. We do, however, recommend that you apply as early as possible – you can even apply before your first degree or other entry qualification has been awarded.