Enquire Apply The Postgraduate Certificate in Education offers to the 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.  It is the leading course of its kind available in the UK, administered by the University of Buckingham. 

Starting every September, the PGCE is a 37-week school-based course available to teachers who already have a job in a school, during which trainee teachers work under the guidance of a mentor (appointed by the school in which they work) to review progress and set targets. The course is available in most subjects and age levels (Grade 1 - 12).

Six one day ‘live’ training sessions plus two induction day (in late August) run by the university will be available on-line. Attendance is mandatory.

All trainees will be assigned a University of Buckingham tutor who will meet on-line with trainee and mentor on average once per month to assess their progress, guide their development and support the mentor. 

Our subject specialists this year include: Art, Music, Design Technology, Food Technology, Business Studies and Economics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Computer Science, English, Drama, Classics, Modern Languages, Geography, History, Religious Studies, Psychology, Physical Education and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE).

The successful trainee teachers will be awarded the ‘Postgraduate Certificate in Education’ on the course completion.

For the additional QTS qualification (needed to teach in a state school in England), it is possible for a teacher who has been teaching for two or more years to apply for the Assessment-Only Qualified Teacher Status. Please note, the process for acquiring QTS will entail a review of eligibility before acceptance on to the Assessment Only route. This means the students cannot gain QTS on completion of the PGCE course automatically.

Course Delivery

The course is delivered in a variety of ways:

• Six online training days + two induction days (attendance compulsory)
• On-line support with assignments
• A weekly programme of academic readings
• A weekly meeting with your mentor to reflect on your practice and set targets
• Monthly meetings with your University of Buckingham Tutor

Teaching & Assessment

Trainees are assessed in a number of ways:

- you will have a mentor in your school who will arrange for your lessons to be observed and assessed so that you can improve week by week.

- you will record evidence of your teaching on an online form.

- trainees are assigned a University of Buckingham tutor who will be in touch regularly. You will have termly meetings to assess your progress and guide your development.

- you will write three academic essays.

Progression of PGCE for International Trainees

The PGCE course offers an ideal foundation for those trainees who are looking to take an MA Education degree (MA), carrying over 60 credits. 

Successful completion of the PGCE course may also lead to Qualified Teacher Status if the trainees can meet additional criteria set out by the UK government. This is not guaranteed, so if acquiring QTS is your primary goal, please consult BISE before starting your application.

You must be employed as a teacher at a school that follows UK or the International Baccalaureate (IB) (in addition to the Chinese National Curriculum where applicable) and be in sole charge of a full-size class for a minimum of 10 hours a week.

You must have completed a bachelor’s degree.

In addition, you must:

Obtain a commitment from your school to provide a suitable mentor.

Show the physical and mental fitness to teach.

The employing school must be able to fully support a candidate through the course, enabling them to demonstrate all of the English Teachers’ Standards across the full age and ability range of training.

All international applicants who do not hold a GCSE grade C/4 or above in English Language must have an IELTS or TOEFL certificate with scores accepted by the University.

English Language Requirements

Tuition Fee: £4,200
Registration Fee: £275 (non-refundable)

Fees 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.

Please click the APPLY button to submit your application by 24 July 2023. The course will start in September 2023.

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