Entry requirements

You must be employed as a teacher in an independent school in the UK (or abroad in the case of the International PGCE) and be in sole charge of a full size class for a minimum of 10 hours a week.

You will be expected to have a degree from a UK University or equivalent.

In addition, you must:

  • Obtain the commitment from your school to provide a suitable mentor
  • Show the physical and mental fitness to teach

Months of entry

September

Course content

The International Postgraduate Certificate of Education is similar in format and structure to our Independent PGCE. It 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.

The PGCE is a 37-week school-based course, during which time you will work under the guidance of a mentor and receive weekly tutorials to review progress and set targets. It is available in most subjects and to all age levels. There are two residentials (six days overall) to attend and these are supplemented by a weekly programme on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You will be assigned a University tutor who visits twice to assess your progress and guide your development. You will be assessed by both your mentor and your tutor and there are three assignments to complete.

For teachers undertaking their first year of teaching we highly recommend your participation in our Ab Initio course and PGCE Introductory Day in late August. This will provide you with some basic knowledge and skills to start teaching.

Information for international students

As well as meeting the entry criteria shown above, 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, and cannot be graded as inadequate.

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.

Fees and funding

International students
£4,000

Please visit our website to see the latest information relating to tuition fees, scholarships and bursaries.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • PGCE
    full time
    12 months
    • Online learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Education Admissions
Email
education@buckingham.ac.uk
Phone
+44 (0)1280 820222