masters in education vs pgce

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What is a pgce.

A PGCE is a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. This is one of the most popular teacher training postgraduate qualifications, designed to give students the necessary skills to get into teaching. 

PGCE programs involve a combination of teaching and school placement activities, giving students practical experience in an education setting. 

Though a PGCE may sound like a normal postgraduate certificate , it’s really very different.

In order to do a PGCE, you’ll need an undergraduate degree. Your degree subject should ideally be the one you intend to teach – as a PGCE won’t teach you about your subject in detail, but rather, how to teach . 

If it’s merely linked, you may need to gain more experience by following something like a subject knowledge enhancement course. Therefore, you need to be confident in your knowledge of your subject before applying for such a course. In addition, you’ll need at least a C (grade 4) in English and Mathematics at GCSE, and to teach ages 7–14 years old, you’ll need a C (grade 4) in Science too.

PGCEs are offered by a variety of places – universities, Teach First or through a School Direct training program. We’ll mainly focus on the university method, as this is the most common way to get such a qualification. So, what is it like to study a PGCE ?

What are the different types of PGCE?

If you are considering studying a PGCE, it’s useful to understand the different types of courses that you can study. Depending on the age range of students you’d like to teach, you can opt for either a PGCE primary, secondary or further education program. 

PGCE Primary

This course prepares you to teach children aged 5 to 11 (up to and including Year 6). You’ll focus on the core primary education curriculum and train in a variety of subjects. You may have the option to specialise in a particular subject depending on your course. PGCE Primary courses are the highest in demand, and so it can be more challenging to secure a place on this kind of PGCE.

PGCE Secondary 

This type of PGCE course allows you to specialise in a particular subject and teach children between the ages of 11 and 18 years old. This PGCE is a suitable choice for those who wish to teach a particular subject, rather than generalise across several subject areas.

Some people also feel more suited to teaching secondary school students as opposed to primary school students. 

PGCE Further and Adult Education

This course allows you to teach higher educational courses in universities and other further education facilities. This course awards a QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills) rather than a QTS.

What does studying a PGCE involve?

In order to succeed at a PGCE, you have to have the following skills:

• Conflict resolution skills
• Communication skills

You’ll begin your course by learning about teaching and learning theory, managing classroom behaviour, and current educational issues. This will help prepare you for the classroom and work on-site. 

After this, you’ll spend the majority of your course on placement in schools. This will help you gain experience as a teacher and put your theory into practice. 

You’ll be consistently assessed while you’re working at your placement to ensure that you develop the academic standards required for the QTS/QTLS. These assessments will help you reflect on your teaching skills and get feedback from others to help you focus on any areas of improvement.

What level is a PGCE?

Like many postgraduate courses, a PGCE is a level 7 qualification in relation to the Higher Education Qualifications scale. A PGCE offers the equivalent of 60 credits at postgraduate level.

A PGCE is not technically a postgraduate degree, although it is considered an advanced postgraduate non-degree qualification. This is due to a PGCE being a vocational program that directly relates to teaching careers.

What are the entry requirements for a PGCE?

To begin a PGCE, you will need to meet the specific course’s eligibility criteria – this may be different from course to course. Though in general, you will need the following to begin your PGCE:

• An undergraduate degree
• GCSE grade C/4 or above in English and Maths
• GCSE grade C/4 or above in a science
• If English is not your first language, then you will need an IELTS with a score of 6

Though this may differ depending on the course that you’re applying for. If you graduated with a degree in English, Maths or a specialised science, you can go on to do a subject knowledge enhancement course. This will help you become a teacher that specialises in the field you studied. 

It’s recommended that you get in touch with the admissions department at the institution you're considering applying to in order to double check their entry requirements. You should also apply for a PGCE course early as they are extremely competitive. 

How much does a PGCE cost?

The cost of a PGCE will vary depending on where you’re from originally:

• UK and EU students will pay about £9,250 
• International Students will usually pay between £11,000 and £16,000

It’s also important to consider cost of living prices and travel and commuting costs. Some PGCE students may take on a part-time job alongside their placement, although they may find that their time is limited.

Teachers can fund their PGCE in various ways:

• Bursaries and scholarships are available depending on the subject studied
• Tuition fee maintenance loans are available for teacher training routes
• Stipends for PGCE students who have children or a disability are available

Do you need a PGCE to become a teacher?

You don’t necessarily need qualified teacher status to become a teacher in the UK. Schools have the freedom to choose who will work for them. Although, there are some academies that will not employ someone unless they have a QTS. 

Though in general, if you plan to go into teaching as a career, it’s highly recommended that you get your QTS through a PGCE. 

While having a PGCE will help you along the way, it will not guarantee that you become a teacher – unless you are part of the Teacher Induction Scheme in Scotland, which guarantees a one-year training post to every eligible student graduating with a teaching qualification. 

While a PGCE is highly recognised across the UK, you will need to put the work in to find yourself a job after the course. There are occasions when the placement school will offer a full-time position to a newly qualified teacher – though this is only if the school happens to have a vacancy at the time of graduation.

How long is a PGCE?

A PGCE usually takes one to two years to complete . The length of study can depend on whether you study your PGCE part time or full time.

Upon completion of your PGCE teaching course, you will earn a QTS. This makes students a qualified teacher, with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). In order to obtain QTS, students must complete a year-long induction.

Studying a PGCE at university

As with many postgraduate courses, the PGCE is a year of full-time commitment , or two years part time . It is possible to do parts of it online, but as the course involves learning to teach , this will involve in-person study and practical exercises.

As a PGCE student , you will have lectures, and learn the theories behind teaching – such as how children learn. You’ll also have at least two school placements, which is a great chance to ensure you’re suited for teaching by experiencing a real education setting. 

You won’t just be left to your own devices here, as you’ll have two mentors – a university mentor and a school mentor. The university mentor will be the first point of contact for the school you’re assigned to, whether they have problems, or you do. 

Your mentor will also come in to visit you and check on your progress throughout your PGCE studies, and they’ll decide whether you’ve been successful on your placement or not. 

This may sound scary, but remember, they’re there to help you learn! In addition to your university mentor, there will be a school mentor. This is a person who teaches your subject at the school you’re assigned to. They’ll be there to help you most days, and should talk with you on a weekly basis about how you’re doing, and what you need to work on.

The general PGCE course structure is biased towards time spent in schools. You will be in university for the first few weeks of the course, and then out on placement for most days a week from then on. The goal of the PGCE is to pass a set of standards known as the ‘Q standards’. 

You should look to study a PGCE if you think you would excel in the following standards:

• Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge
• Manage behaviour effectively and ensure a good, safe learning environment
• Use relevant data to monitor progress, set targets, and plan subsequent lessons

Whilst they won’t throw you in the deep end at the beginning of your placement, you’ll be expected to work up to doing the work of a full-time teacher. That means making lesson plans, teaching a variety of ages and leading a class. In addition, you may be doing work for the university side of things.

Once you finish your PGCE, you’ll be known as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT). You’ll have this status for the first year, and whilst this is rare, it is possible to fail during this probationary period despite having successfully achieved your PGCE. So remember, while the PGCE is the first step to teaching, it’s not the last.

What modules can I expect to study?

Most PGCE courses have two main strands of study, the first relates to professional and academic development. Here you’ll learn about planning lessons, managing a classroom and the art of teaching. You’ll also be taught about how the education system works in the UK, assessments, and the responsibilities you’ll have as a teaching professional. 

Secondly, you’ll look in depth at the National Curriculum, or the academic subject of your secondary PGCE. You’ll learn about delivering lessons in innovative and new ways, and the technologies available to assist you. Units often have titles like Reflection on Professional Development, Research on Leadership, Thinking Skills and Creating Long-term Plans.

Studying a PGCE outside of university

We mentioned earlier that there are alternatives to getting PGCE other than the university route if you want to get into teaching . These will work differently, and it’s best to do independent research. 

For some non-university PGCE courses, you will only work in schools and may not learn as much theory behind teaching. This could be a plus, as it means you get more teaching time, but it could be a hindrance as this provides less theoretical background into teaching methods and how children learn. In addition, PGCEs may not be best at the more obscure subjects.

Finally, when looking at PGCEs, make sure to look specifically at university’s league table rankings for that course. Sometimes, the universities that are best at teaching are not necessarily the best in your subject, and given the course is designed around teaching, you want to make sure you find the best place for you. 

You should also take a look at the possible placement schools you could be sent to and whether you’d be comfortable working in them.

Please note, a PGCE should not be confused with a PGCHE (Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education) , a postgraduate qualification undertaken by university staff and lecturers.

Find PGCE courses

Discover a range of PGCE courses at Postgrad. Our course directory includes a variety of PGCE options from different universities, with full-time and part-time options available. Get started with your teaching career today.

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What is a PGCE course?

A postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) is an academic qualification. You can get this through teacher training.

You do not need one to be a qualified teacher in England, but it can help you develop your teaching skills and knowledge.

The qualifications you need to teach in England

You need qualified teacher status (QTS) to teach in most primary, secondary and special schools in England. You can get QTS through undergraduate or postgraduate teacher training.

Find out more about qualified teacher status (QTS) .

Many teacher training courses also offer you a postgraduate qualification such as a PGCE, but you do not need one to teach.

Teacher training courses

You can do a teacher training course that leads to:

• QTS with PGCE
• PGCE without QTS

Getting a PGCE without QTS means you will not be qualified to teach in most primary, secondary and special schools in England, although some schools will employ teachers without QTS.

If you get a PGCE without QTS you will also not be entitled to the same benefits during your training and career as QTS with PGCE. For example, better pay and support when you start teaching.

Read about Nathan who chose to get QTS with PGCE .

Benefits of having QTS with PGCE

A PGCE can give you a better understanding of teaching practices, educational research and theory.

It can also be beneficial if you want to teach in other countries because it’s an internationally recognised academic qualification. However, you should always check the local requirements of the country you’re looking to teach in.

It can also award up to 60 credits at master’s level which you could use towards a full master’s qualification. This is usually 180 credits.

You may want to do a master’s in education, for example, for your professional development and to gain additional expertise in your teaching career.

Types of PGCE courses

You can get QTS with a PGCE in primary or secondary education. Your course will involve both school placements and academic theory.

You can do this through a school-led, university-led, or an apprenticeship teacher training programme.

You can do a full or part-time PGCE course.

As part of selecting your course, you will need to decide if you want to train to teach at a primary or secondary level. Learn about deciding who to teach .

You can also do a PGCE without QTS in further education .

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for a postgraduate teacher training course usually include an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification.

You also need the following GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, or equivalent qualifications:

• science (if you want to teach primary)

What is a postgraduate diploma in education (PGDE)?

A PGDE in England is very similar to a PGCE, the difference being the number of academic credits you are awarded at the end of your course.

PGCE courses can contain up to 60 credits at master’s degree level, and PGDE courses can contain up to 120. This usually means that doing a PGDE will include more assignments.

More teacher training providers offer a PGCE than a PGDE.

Find your teacher training course

You can search for postgraduate teacher training courses to get QTS with a PGCE.

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What is a Master's in Education?

A Masters in Education is a wonderful way of honing your skills ready to apply for teaching positions.

If you're looking to become a teacher, you can look at a number of different qualifications, such as the PGCE , but what about boosting your knowledge of education further?

What is a Master’s in Education?

A Master’s degree in education (MA) is a postgraduate qualification. It is obtained after achieving a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) or a postgraduate diploma in education (PGDE), with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

It’s worth noting that this isn’t a valid teaching qualification that registers you to teach in any country. Although, some training providers allow students to earn the credits needed for a full Master's in Education once they’ve finished their training.

What can you do with a Master's in Education?

The course will enable you to think deeply and critically about education as a topic of study and research. It is a rich field that will help thosewho have completed their Initial Teacher Training . Many courses will offer a wide range of positions and disciplines that include philosophical, analytical and critical study.

Specific degrees will offer particular opportunities, like a Master's in International Education course will help those looking to study overseas.

It can help teachers who want to specialise in certain subjects, with a Master's of Music Education, allowing people to move into this subject area or progress in the Arts department.

So… can I only be a teacher, then?

Not at all! A Master's in Education wasn’t created just for people looking to teach! Teaching is, of course, one of the main aspects of the course, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look at other careers with this qualification.

Lots of different sectors appreciate students having a Master's in Education. Working in education does not mean you have to become a teacher or lecturer. You can work as a careers adviser, an educational administrator, or even teach English as a foreign language . Other sectors can also include social work, the civil service, consultation, publishing, human resources and marketing.

Why should I do a Master's in Education?

Initial Teacher Training courses provide a decent foundation for further development. A Master’s degree , which is a postgraduate qualification, will help deepen the knowledge you already have and enhance teaching skills.

It will also allow you to specialise in a particular discipline or subject area. By getting this postgraduate qualification you are improving your career prospects, adding to your range of professional skills and opening more doors.

How many credits is a Master's in Education?

The number of credits awarded for a Master's in Education can vary depending on the programme you do. Generally, a Master's in Education is worth around 180 credits.

Typically, a PGCE contains up to 60 credits and a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) is up to 120 credits. Both PGCE and PGDE can be transferred to a full Master’s degree when a final dissertation is completed, making the total 180 credits.

How long does it take to complete a Master's in Education?

A Master of Education (MEd), as well as a Master of Arts (MA) and a Master of Science (MSc), typically take two to three years to complete. This is the same for online Master's in Education.

However, this can change depending on whether you choose full-time or part-time study, as some part-time or online courses can take up to six years to complete. They allow students to take modules either part-time or online so they don’t get in the way of teaching. Most of these courses mix studying with practical experience of working in a teaching environment.

Although the structure, content and assessment nature of Master's courses differ depending on the course and university, so it is best to check with your chosen institution.

What are the entry requirements for a Master's in Education?

This will depend on where you are applying and what the subject is. The entry requirements for a Master's in Education will vary, but generally universities will ask that you have a 2:2 honours degree before you apply.

How much does a Master’s degree in Education cost?

Courses begin at £5,000, depending on the university. Some Master's degrees are eligible for a loan from the government , where you can receive up to £10,000 for your course and related costs. This can reduce some of the financial pressure whilst studying and conducting work experience throughout the course.

The price of a course may also differ for those looking for a distance learning Master's. Distance learning courses tend to be somewhat cheaper, as they don’t actually require you to appear in a class in-person (or rarely), so the resources needed for the course are not as vast. You should check how much your course will cost and whether you’re eligible for a postgraduate student loan .

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Education master’s degree guide

04 th August 2022

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You can do a master’s in education, a PGCE or a PhD. It depends whether you want to be a teacher, think critically about the education system or conduct research in the field. Use our guide to find out more.

What is an education master’s degree?

Why do a master’s degree in education, what qualifications can you get, what jobs can you do with a master’s degree in education, what are the education master’s degree requirements, what education courses are there, what do you learn in an education master’s degree, how will you be taught and assessed.

• How long is a master's degree in education?
• Similar subjects to education  

Studying education at postgraduate level will help you become a teacher or work in a career that focuses on the field of education.

During a degree course, you could:

• Learn how to benefit children and learners through teaching
• Engage in discussions of how to build a fairer education system
• Contribute to the field of education through in-depth research

If you studied education for your bachelor’s degree, a postgraduate course will be a good step up. Each education degree option is quite different, so it’s worth looking into the different ones thoroughly.

A master’s degree will give you a higher-level understanding of what it means to be a teacher. Courses tend to be informed by the latest findings and practices, and you get to work alongside other teacher trainees and education experts.

You’ll develop education-specific skills, such as an ability to apply certain principles from one context to another. You’ll also develop transferable skills like:

• Critical thinking
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Organisation
• Problem-solving
• Research and analysis
• Written and verbal communication

Teacher training courses are often approved by the Department for Education. This means you gain qualified teacher status (QTS) after you've completed the course.

Qualification options include masters, doctorates, certificates and diplomas in education. Each has a slightly different focus and style of teaching.

Taught masters in education

Both Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MSc) qualifications in education are available. They encourage you to think critically about different areas of education, such as in a cultural, social or structural context.

These are often aimed at qualified teachers or other professionals looking to enhance their knowledge, such as nurses, therapists or others in the education sector. Education master’s courses do not lead to QTS.

Teacher training courses

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) are teacher training courses. They prepare you for a career as a primary or secondary school teacher, and usually result in QTS. You can earn up to 60 credits of a master’s degree.

Courses blend academic study and practical classroom experience, so you’re ready to teach after graduating. As a secondary school teacher, you choose a school subject to be a knowledge expert on, such as English, maths or science.

Research education

A postgraduate research degree in education could be a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Courses enable you to conduct deep research into the field of education and consider global issues. You'll be supported by academic supervisors while working on your independent research project.

READ MORE What are postgraduate degrees

Master’s graduates usually work in education, often in senior or leadership positions, research or education policy. Other options include international development projects, administrative roles in private or public sector organisations or community and youth work.

PGCE courses are designed to prepare you for a teaching career in environments like:

• Primary schools
• Secondary schools
• Special schools
• Sixth forms
• Further education/adult colleges

Other graduates go on to further study and complete a doctorate degree or work in research.

To qualify for a master’s course, you’ll usually need:

MA/MSc – bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with upper second-class honours (2:1) in education, teaching, English or a relevant social science degree. Or a bachelor’s degree and several years of relevant experience

Depending on the course and university, you might need relevant work experience and to demonstrate a strong interest in the area. Health and background checks might also be required, such as a DBS, especially if your course involves working with the public.

For other postgraduate courses, you’ll usually need:

• PGCert/PGDip – at least grade C GCSEs in English and maths (or equivalent) and a second-class degree in a subject relevant to your main teaching subject (if applicable)
• MPhil/PHD – same requirements as a masters, and a merit in a master’s degree. You may need to submit a research proposal that shows your understanding of the field and ability to plan an independent research project

READ MORE How to write a postgraduate personal statement How to write a PGCE personal statement

Examples of postgraduate education courses in the UK:

• Deaf Education MA
• Doctor of Education EdD
• Education (Early Years) MA
• Education MSc
• Education & Training PGCE
• Higher Education MA
• Professional Education PhD/MPhil
• Primary Education (with qualified teacher status) PGCE

GO TO Find education courses

Typical module topics or areas you could focus your research efforts on include:

• Children with autism
• Citizenship, human rights and the environment
• Critical education policy and leadership
• Disadvantage and poverty
• Education and psychology
• Education for social justice
• International education
• Language, discourse and society
• School improvement
• Special education needs

If you’re training to be a secondary school teacher, you learn how to teach your chosen subject. Subjects include:

• Computer science
• Mathematics
• Physics 

On an education master’s (MA/MSc), you could learn through lectures, seminars, peer-group projects, workshops and self-study. Assessment could be through written essays, exams, coursework, presentations, research projects and a dissertation.

Teacher training courses (PGCE/PGDE) are intensive courses where you begin with academic study and then learn on practical placements in schools. You’ll be observed on your placements and could be assessed through placement coursework, essays, exams, presentations and group projects.

If you pursue a research degree (MPhil/PhD), you’ll be guided by specialist supervisors but receive less support than on a taught course. You’ll be assessed on your independent research project (thesis) and accompanying oral exam (viva).

How long is a master’s degree in education?

Education courses are usually the following lengths:

• PGCE/PGDE – one year with 24 weeks of school placements
• MA/MSc – one to two years
• MPhil – one to two years
• PhD – three to four years

Part-time courses can last twice as long.

READ MORE How to fund your postgraduate degree

Similar subjects to education

Other similar subjects to education that you could study include:

• Behaviour science
• Counselling
• Criminology
• Psychotherapy
• Social policy
• Social work
• Speech and language therapy
• Youth studies 

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PGCE vs PGCEi: A Guide for Teachers

• Posted by Stafford Global
• Categories Education Articles & Blogs
• Date November 1, 2023

Table of Contents

• Differences between PGCE and PGCEi
• PGCE is the right education degree if
• PGCE (International) is the right education degree if
• Additional advice on pursuing a PGCE or PGCEi

Educators who are passionate about teaching frequently contemplate pursuing a postgraduate degree. Two popular options are the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and the Postgraduate Certificate in Education International (PGCEi), with there being differences between the two education degrees.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is a UK-based programme that leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which is required to teach in UK state schools. PGCE curricula are typically full-time, on-campus studies with a practicum component.

On the other hand, the PGCE (International) is a programme designed for educators who want to or are already teaching abroad. PGCEi programmes are typically flexible and can be completed online or through overseas partner colleges. Please remember that PGCEi courses do not lead to a teaching license in any nation, but are often required by many international schools in order to teach, or for a teacher to be promoted to more senior positions.

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between PGCE and PGCEi:

Before selecting the perfect curriculum for you, consider your professional goals, ideal location, and the type of teaching you want to do.

Here is a checklist to help you make an informed decision:

PGCE is the right education degree if:

• You aspire to teach in UK state schools.
• Your goal is to earn a QTS in the UK
• You prefer full-time, on-campus study.
• You have secured a scholarship or your school will provide financial support.

PGCE (International) is the right education degree if:

• You are already engaged in teaching abroad.
• Your goal is to improve your CV by obtaining a formal education qualification.
• You do not intend to teach in the United Kingdom.
• Pursuing this qualification while working aligns with your schedule.

Scholarships are available from a variety of schools and organisations to help educators pursue postgraduate courses. You can also inquire about your school supporting the costs of your PGCEi programme, as many schools allocate budgets for professional development.

The decision between PGCE and PGCEi should be based on your professional goals and teaching objectives. Both programmes offer valuable opportunities, but it is critical to select the programme that is best for you. To commence on a journey towards being a good teacher, conduct extensive study, examine your options, and take advantage of scholarship opportunities.

Additional advice on pursuing a PGCE or PGCEi:

• If you are a non-native English-speaking teacher, thoroughly explore PGCEi courses. Some countries may not recognise PGCEi courses that do not include a practicum.
• If you are already teaching in another country, enquire with your current school about the likelihood of them supporting your PGCEi course. Many schools are eager to invest in the professional development of their teachers.
• Do not hesitant to seek assistance. If you have any questions regarding the PGCE or PGCEi programmes, contact the institutions that offer them or reach out to other educators who have completed these programmes.

Notable institutions that offer PGCEi or equivalent through Stafford Global:

University of Nottingham – PGCE (International)

https://www.staffordglobal.org/course/pgce-postgraduate-certificate-in-education/

The School of Education is ranked in the top 10 in the UK and top 50 worldwide in the  QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 .

University of Dundee: Masters in Education – (PG Cert & PG Diploma entry & exit routes)

https://www.staffordglobal.org/course/masters-in-education/

University of Dundee is ranked 33rd in The Times and Sunday Times league tables in their Good University Guide 2024. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/uk-university-rankings

For more information on UK Teaching and Education courses or to determine your eligibility for a PGCE course, please contact a Higher Education consultant.

https://www.staffordglobal.org/teaching-education-courses/

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The Postgraduate Certificate in Education, commonly known as the PGCE, is one of the most popular academic qualifications for teaching

Offered in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, PGCEs are designed to enhance and increase academic training, preparing students for life as a teacher. Usually taking one academic year to complete full time, and two years part time, securing a place can be competitive.

You only need a training course to offer Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) to teach as a qualified teacher in England. However, a PGCE will increase your academic knowledge and provide you with the flexibility to teach internationally. The Scottish equivalent to a PGCE is the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).

What is a PGCE?

A PGCE combines substantial school placements with studying the theory behind teaching and learning. Most courses run from early September to July and take nine months to complete if studied full time. Some longer part-time and distance learning options are available.

PGCE courses can either be university or school-led and the majority of programmes lead to QTS, making you eligible to teach in a variety of countries. Scottish PGDE courses, and Welsh and Northern Irish PGCEs, are similar in structure to university-based programmes.

There is a shortage of teachers in some subjects, such as maths and physics, while other programmes are more competitive, such as physical education. You should research this with the provider you're interested in and be prepared to look in other areas of the UK for places.

If your undergraduate degree doesn't link closely to the subject you intend to teach you may be offered a  subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course  as part of your application. This is taken before the PGCE so you'd be studying for a little longer.

Do I need a PGCE to teach?

You only need QTS to teach in England. The PGCE is an additional qualification offered by some providers, which you can gain alongside QTS.

However, it's advisable to gain a PGCE if you want to teach in Scotland and other countries such as the USA, as the PGCE is an internationally recognised qualification. It's possible to gain a qualification such as a PGCert with PGCE, if you have QTS and want to gain Masters credits and a university qualification. Find out more about the  routes into teaching .

Be aware that not all courses award QTS - the further education PGCE, for example. Speak to your training provider if you are unsure about whether your programme awards QTS.

Types of PGCEs

In England a PGCE may be led by a:

• higher education institution (HEI)
• school/charity/multi-academy trust (MAT)
• consortium of schools in partnership with the HEI, such as Teach First

Different types of PGCE include:

• Primary  - prepares you to teach children aged 5-11. Programmes focus on the core curriculum, although some may allow you to specialise in a certain subject. This is the most popular PGCE and demand for places is high.
• Secondary  - focuses on a particular subject and prepares you to teach children between the ages of 11-18.
• Further/Adult education  - if you want to teach in  further education  colleges or conduct  adult education  classes, completing one of these PGCEs means you can apply for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status rather than QTS.

All types include placements for a minimum of 24 weeks in at least two key stages and schools.

To see what's available,  search for a PGCE .

What does a PGCE involve?

It can be a challenging nine months, balancing lesson planning, teaching, marking and your own assignment deadlines.

Often starting with an academic focus, PGCE courses usually cover teaching and learning theory,  managing classroom behaviour  and  current educational issues . After the first few weeks you'll spend up to two-thirds of your time on placement in schools, teaching in two different key stages. Your placements will help you to explore theory in practice. You'll be immersed into school life gradually, with an emphasis on research-informed and evidence-based teaching.

You will also work towards meeting the professional standards, which determine recommendation for QTS. Assessment is ongoing and progressive, developing the academic standards required for the Masters-level PGCE and QTS. At the same time, you will work through personalised development plans to ensure that you're able to target individual strengths and improvements.

In this way, your academic performance and teacher development are closely linked. You will reflect, get feedback from others and be assessed against teaching standards as you progress through the PGCE.

What will I learn?

You will study modules such as the:

• Professional teacher  - Looking at key issues in teaching and learning, tailored to the context in which you're working. Sessions will often be a lecture and seminar, or workshops.
• Subject specialist  - Building on your knowledge of the subject range, this would be led by a specialist tutor with expertise in your subject/s, both in university and in your placement, and supported by a mentor. You may study and evaluate key theories and policies, analyse and model best practice, and develop the skills required for teaching the subject. This will be further developed in your placement with your school mentor.
• Reflective teacher  - Looking at what you're teaching in the classroom, thinking about why you do it, and reflecting on what works. This would include tutorials, group work and peer support to develop your experience in practice.
• Research informed teacher  - Learning from and participating in research linked to your specialism and teaching.

What's the difference between school-led and university-led PGCEs?

As a university-led PGCE/PGDE trainee you will have more opportunity for studying and reflecting on your progress, as well as spending valuable time with other trainee teachers. You will need to pay fees but bursaries are available. You'll be able to move from a placement if it's not suited to you.

If you'd like to be placed in a school from day one, school-led training may be the route for you. Trainees are often paid as trainee teachers and may have to pay fees. School-led trainees can be chosen by the school, participating as a team member from the beginning. Discover how you can build your experience by  volunteering in schools .

Both routes lead to QTS, where you can apply for a teaching position in primary and secondary schools.

What are the entry requirements?

Some course providers may have specific eligibility criteria, but in general you must have:

• An undergraduate degree or equivalent. For primary teaching a degree in a national curriculum subject is useful. For secondary, you must have a degree or related degree in the subject you're applying to teach.
• GCSE grade C/4 or above in English and maths (a B in Wales).
• GCSE grade C/4 or above in a science subject to teach pupils aged 5-11 (primary).
• An IELTS with an average score of 6.0 if English is not your first language and you don't have a GCSE grade C/4 in English.

Plus, non-academic requirements of:

• a declaration of convictions through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

There are some variations and exceptions to these entry criteria so you should check with the admissions department of each individual institution you're applying to.

Applicants with a degree in a subject not included in the national curriculum, such as marketing or education, are able to apply for early years, primary and post-compulsory teaching.

If you have A-levels in a shortage secondary subject, such as maths, and your degree included a large mathematical element, you may be able to do an SKE course and go on to train as a maths teacher.

Some courses are very competitive, so applying early and getting school experience is advantageous. If you aren't sure whether you meet the criteria, or if you gained your degree overseas, you should contact the admissions department of the institution you're considering, or attend an open day.

How much does it cost?

The standard tuition fee in 2023/24 for UK students is £9,250 and approximately between £9,250 and £32,000 for international students, although overseas fees vary widely.

Universities may offer special reductions for alumni, so check with individual providers.

You will also need to consider living costs. You're likely to have additional costs for travelling to school placements. Some providers may offer support towards travel expenses - contact them to find out more.

The majority of trainees find that they have limited time for part-time work, especially while on placement. International students are advised to check their visa restrictions on working.

There are three main ways to fund teacher training and depending on your circumstances you could receive them all. Tax-free bursaries and scholarships are available - the amount of which differs depending on the subject studied, postgraduate tuition fee and maintenance loans are available to help pay tuition fees for unsalaried teacher training routes, and additional financial support is available if you have children or a disability. See  funding teacher training  for more information.

Will a PGCE/PGDE guarantee me a teaching job?

The Teacher Induction Scheme in Scotland offers a guaranteed one-year training post to every eligible student graduating with a teaching qualification from one of Scotland's universities. This is not the case across all of the UK.

A PGCE is a well-recognised and valued qualification and normally includes QTS (although not all courses do), but this doesn't mean that you will automatically be employed when you graduate.

Traditionally, graduates quickly find their first teaching job. The placements completed as part of their course and any additional school experience stands them in good stead. If your school placements go well and the school has a vacancy when you graduate, you may well be offered a job.

Pupil numbers are rising and this increases the demand for teachers. If you've completed a PGCE in a shortage subject, such as physics, maths, chemistry, computing, languages, biology, geography or design and technology, your knowledge and skills are particularly sought after.

To learn more, see  how to get a teaching job .

How do I find a PGCE?

You should attend open days and meet course tutors to make sure you get answers to all your questions. Consider asking:

• How much does the course cost?
• Does the course include a PGCE, as for many overseas teaching roles you will need a university or college teaching qualification (BEd or PGCE)?
• Does the qualification lead to QTS?
• How much school experience do you get?
• Are there grants/loans/bursaries available?
• What is the school's Ofsted rating?
• What is the employment record after graduation?
• What is the institution's reputation and department ranking?
• How much access do students have to tutors?
• How many lectures and tutorials are there per week? How many days a week do you need to be on campus?

To find out what's on offer and which institutions match your requirements,  search PGCEs .

When do applications open?

PGCE applications in England are normally made through the DfE's  Apply for teacher training  service. Courses in Wales and Scottish PGDE applications are made through the UCAS undergraduate system in the autumn for courses starting in September the following year.

Applications can be made throughout the academic year. However, providers are able to close the applications after a minimum of two weeks if they have enough quality applicants. They may open again later in the year but it is strongly recommended to apply early for the more popular courses.

In Northern Ireland, applications for PGCEs are made directly to the institution.

For more information, see  applying for teacher training .

Where can I get more advice?

• Alumni  - ask them what it was like to study at a particular university.
• Careers service  - advisers can explore your options, help you decide which course is best for you and assist your application.
• Current students  - they'll tell you how much work is involved, and recommend books and other resources.
• Open days and fairs  - you can meet representatives from numerous universities, meet tutors and take a look at the campus. Take a look at upcoming  open days and events .     
• Tutors  - find out more about the course content and how your career goals match up.

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Using your PGCEi or PGCE credits towards a masters degree

Successful completion of a PGCEi or PGCE course gives you 60 masters-levels credits, which you can use towards a masters degree in education at the University of Nottingham. Or you can use 30 credits on a selection of other MA courses.

Progressing to a masters

• A masters will deepen your knowledge in a subject area you are passionate in
• You will continue to develop as a reflective professional, enhancing your practice through engagement with theory
• A masters may help with your career progression
• Your masters fee will be reduced if you use Recognition of Other Learning (ROL) to obtain credit exemption

Please note you must start your masters course within 10 years of completing your PGCEi/PGCE to be able to apply for ROL.

Using credit exemption

You can choose to study online or on campus in Nottingham, but be aware that we are unable to approve ROL for face-to-face courses where a student route visa is required to study in the UK. This is because we can  only sponsor full-time students for a student route visa , and applying ROL for credits previously achieved reduces the study load to below full-time.

International students are encouraged to consider distance learning options if they wish to apply for ROL. Please note online, flexible or distance-learning will not appear on your certificate (although it will be on your transcript).

Courses which accept PGCEi/PGCE credits 

MA Digital Teaching and Learning

This course course aims to strengthen your understanding of learning in the digital age and explore how digital technology can transform the teaching and learning experience.

It will increase your knowledge of digital technologies as resources for learning. You will evaluate the use of such technologies in educational contexts and assess how new learning technology can be implemented at a variety of levels in both formal and informal education. 

Study in Nottingham

Available full-time starting in September

Credit exemption

You can apply for  exemption of 30-credits  against the Learning Theories for a Digital Age module.

MA Education

This course aims to strengthen and refine your ability to critically reflect upon your own teaching. You will engage with contemporary theories in education and examine how you might apply them to the practice you carry out. 

We welcome approaches from educational organisations who may wish to develop a bespoke programme for staff working towards the MA Education.

Study online

Available part-time starting in September or February

MA Education (Online)

Credit exemption - on campus course

PGCEi graduates  can claim against two of the following modules:

• Learning Theories for a Digital Age
• Critical Perspectives on Curriculum and Pedagogy
• Social Contexts of Learning
• Communication and Literacy
• Practice-Based Inquiry

PGCE graduates can claim against two of the top four modules (not Practice-Based Inquiry).

Credit exemption - online flexible course

PGCE graduates can claim against two of the top three modules (not Commununication and Literacy)

MA Educational Leadership and Management

This course will develop your essential leadership and management skillset. You'll conduct research that drives growth and enhances your professional practice to help you make a positive difference within the classroom or an education organisation.

We welcome approaches from educational organisations who may wish to develop a bespoke programme for staff working towards the MA Educational Leadership and Management.

MA Educational Leadership and Management (Online)

You can apply for  exemption of 30-credits  against the Leading Learning module.

MA Special and Inclusive Education

This course looks at how can we best support learners who are struggling with learning, the complexities of inclusive education in a rapidly changing world, the rights of children to be included in schools and how we address the current barriers to inclusivity.

It examines the educational needs of children with labels of learning difficulties and disabilities. You’ll consider the importance of communication and literacy and analyse how different countries approach identification and assessments for children with special needs. 

MA Special and Inclusive Education (Online)

You can apply for exemption of 30-credits against the Planning Educational Research module. You will be expected to attend the whole course, even though you will have exemption from fees and assessment requirements for one 30-credit module.

Credit exemption - distance learning course

You can apply for  exemption of 30-credits  against the Practice-Based Inquiry module.

MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

This course has been designed to develop and encourage your critical understanding of the latest developments in TESOL theory and practice.

It will enable you to reflect on your own teaching practice/context and help improve your career prospects, whilst preparing you to conduct independent research into teaching and learning. 

MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Online)

Credit exemption 

Please note only PGCEi credits can be used against this course.

PGCEi graduates can apply for  exemption of 30-credits  against an optional module, there is no exemption against core modules.

Reduction in course fees

A full masters qualification is 180 credits. If your ROL application is successful, you will receive a pro-rata reduction in the fee payable for the MA course.

The above are examples, please visit your chosen course page (links in the courses section above) to confirm the fee for the full MA.  

• Apply for your chosen MA course through NottinghamHub
• Provide a personal statement and referee details - your PGCEi/PGCE tutor can provide a reference
• Visit our ROL pages for everything you need to know about applying for ROL.
• Complete a ROL application (PGCE/PGCEi credits are not automatically credited to your MA courses, you must apply for ROL at least four weeks in advance of starting your masters course)

You will be notified in writing (email) when your ROL application has been approved.  We cannot add your ROL exemption to your student record until you have completed registration. This means your fees will show the full amount at the time of registration. When we have added your exemption, your record will show the reduced fees to be paid.  

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Postgraduate Study: PGCE Progression to MEd

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• The Cambridge Experience

Overview of the course

This course option is only offered to University of Cambridge, Faculty of Education PGCE graduates (PGCEM)

Trainees who successfully complete all examined elements of the Cambridge PGCE course can apply to undertake the part-time Master of Education (MEd) in just one year. If you completed your PGCE at another institution and would like to study part time please view our 2 year part time MPhil courses pages .

PGCE trainees can decide if they wish to:

• go straight on to the MEd in the Michaelmas term following completion of their PGCE or
• take a maximum of a 2 year gap between completing the PGCE and starting the MEd.

Trainees must complete the MEd within three years of successfully completing their PGCE.

We offer our students:

• Access to outstanding research facilities;
• The opportunity to work closely with specialists in their field;
• A supportive, stimulating environment with excellent supervision;
• A strong community or like-minded students who will provide mutual support

We aim to support our students to develop:

• The capacity to analyse contemporary educational issues and practices using systematic and research led approaches;
• Knowledge and understanding of current practices and outcomes of teaching and learning;
• A critical understanding of research methods and methodologies for educational enquiry;
• The practical, organisational and presentational skills necessary for the successful reporting of educational research.

Visas for part time study

If you are an international applicant wanting to study part time, it may be possible for the University to sponsor you for a visa. Please see our visa webpage for further information .

Choosing your course

You should select a course from the list below that reflects your current and future interests:

• Transforming Practice
• Research in Second Language Education
• Primary Education
• Mathematics Education
• Critical Approaches to Children's Literature

(The Educational Leadership and Improvement route is not available as 1 year part-time PGCEM course, but can be taken as 2 year part-time MPhil course).

Our Research Methods Strand

The research strand covers a broad range of social science research methods and is essential for Masters level understanding and critical engagement with the research literature in many specialist areas and in education more generally.

It offers opportunities and encouragement to apply the knowledge gained to your thematic area, and vice versa. Masters students on the majority of routes are required to attend a generic research methods strand, taught across thematic routes.

Please note - Transforming Practice route does not attend, they have their own alternative Research Methods arrangements.

Session Times for the Thematic Courses

For all courses, except Transforming Practice , sessions will start at 2pm on a Wednesday and continue to run through school half terms.

Transforming Practice students will follow a weekly online model of work with around 5  conferences, usually on a Saturday. There is some variation in the duration of sessions across courses that meet on Wednesdays.

If you require further details, please see the course pages above or contact the course coordinator.

How to Apply

Applications for the PGCEM course are managed centrally by the Post Graduate Admissions Office .

Applications are considered in three batches; firstly after the 5th December and then after the 22nd February and finally the application deadline of 16th May. It is possible that some applications from the early batches are held for consideration in further batches.

Please note some routes may fill up well ahead of the advertised closing date. You are advised to apply by the December deadline if possible. We aim to make decisions on applications within 12 weeks of the applicable application batch deadline.

You are not considered a 'continuer' for the purposes of this application as you are previously registered as a 'postgraduate' and not a 'graduate'. You should follow the instructions as if you were a new applicant.

Admissions process

During the admissions process you will also hear from the Faculty and your College. Please view this PGCE to MEd Admission process overview for further information about what to expect from each department and who to contact for specific queries.

Application form

The application form is a generic form used across the whole university for a number of programmes so some sections are not applicable to PGCEM applicants - please view this step by step guide on what to submit on your application .

Self-service account

You will be given access to a self-service account please ensure you note your email address correctly and check for updates regularly as important information and actions will be sent you periodically. You are responsible for checking what actions and information is required to submit via your self-service account - please check you can access regularly.

Application deadlines

Applications from students who wish to commence the PGCE-MEd in October 2024 will open in September 2023 .

Please do remember that university regulations will only allow for a maximum two year gap between completing the PGCE and starting the MEd.

• The deadline for 2024-2025 registration is 16th May 2024 .
• Some routes may fill up and close earlier than this. Please check the course pages above for further information.
• Applications are considered in batches; the first batch after the 1st December, then after the 22nd February and 16th May (application deadline).

You are advised to apply by December of the year prior to when you wish to start. Some applications may be considered in early batches may be carried over to be considered further in later batches.

The Faculty will not accept applications submitted after the deadline and can not offer further places once a route is full.

Personal Supervision

One of the great strengths of studying at Cambridge is the level of individual support you will receive.

You will be assigned an expert in your field to guide you through your course. You will meet with them regularly to discuss progress and will be able to send them your work for feedback and advice.

The Faculty has around forty academic staff teaching on the Graduate programme offering a very wide range of expertise. PGCE-MEd students are entitled to 4.5 hours of supervision.

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PGCE or PGDip? A quick guide to postgraduate qualifications

If you’re thinking about postgraduate study, then you won’t be the only person having trouble distinguishing your MPhil from your DPhil, or a PGCE from a PGCert.  Here are a few of the main postgraduate qualifications explained, as well as some tips for choosing which one is right for you.

Masters degrees

Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), Master of Education (MEd), to name just a few!

Often referred to as a taught masters, these degrees usually take one year full-time (or two years part-time) after the completion of an undergraduate programme.  You will attend lectures and seminars for about nine months, leaving another three to research and write up your thesis.  You may need one in a specialist area to advance careers in sectors such an international development or in actuarial work, but many people also choose to complete one to enhance their knowledge of their undergraduate subject.

(Master of Research) MRes

If you are considering a career in research, either in industry or academia, then a research-led masters may be a more relevant route for you than a taught one.  There is a greater emphasis on the thesis, which can be up to 40,000 words in length, compared to around 20,000 for a taught masters.  An MRes can also be awarded to students who have worked towards a doctorate but have not achieved the required standard.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

This is a more advanced, research-based masters degree, and can sometimes be completed as preparation for a doctorate.

A doctorate demonstrates that you have made an original contribution to your academic discipline, engaging in three to four years of committed research and producing a thesis.  The traditional model of a doctorate that people have in mind is usually that of the lone student working closely with their supervisor.  However, there are now many different kinds of doctorates available and which are delivered in a variety of ways.

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) can still be undertaken alone but you could also be part of a research team and may be supervised by several academics or even industry professionals to address different aspects of your project.  A DPhil is simply what Oxford University calls a PhD. A DEng is a doctorate in engineering, and this can involve considerable time spent in industry on placements, as is also now the case with some science doctorates.

Other options include practice-led doctorates , which require something like an exhibition alongside a thesis in art and design or performance-based areas, or a doctorates by publication , where publishing a certain number of articles or a book can be taken as evidence of your expertise.  The latter is more common when you have already been working in an area for some years.  This is also the case for professional doctorates , such as the Doctor of Education or EdD , where experienced practitioners will present a portfolio of evidence as well as a thesis to achieve this qualification.

Postgraduate Certificates & Diplomas

Postgraduate certificates and diplomas fall between undergraduate and masters degrees, offering training in both vocational and academic areas, with qualifications taking months rather than years to complete.  For example, careers advisers can complete a postgraduate certificate in careers guidance (PGCert), followed by a postgraduate diploma (PGDip) and, if they are really keen, go on to an MA in Careers Guidance, where they would take on a research element in an area that interests them.

Entry into areas such as law and teaching also require study at this level, with aspiring solicitor and barristers completing the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) , if they do not already have a law degree, and would-be teachers studying for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) .

Key points to consider

If you are currently thinking about whether or not further study is right for you, and what kind of qualification to take, then do come in and talk to us at the Careers Service .  Many students think about taking a masters degree because they can’t think of what else to do after graduation, and this could be a very expensive year out of the labour market without enhancing your prospects if you don’t choose wisely.

We always recommend speaking to potential employers or  contacts in the areas of work that interest you to find out if you need to take a postgraduate qualification and, if you do, which ones would  be most relevant.  Our web site contains more information about postgraduate study , as well as information about how to fund it .

Finally, watch out for workshops at the Careers Service this autumn on choosing postgraduate study as well as on specific options such as the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and teacher training via the PGCE.

Dr Tracy Johnson, Careers Adviser

(Image: http://ipdraughts.wordpress.com/2011/08/20/postgraduate-diploma-in-ip-transactions-an-update/)

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PGCE vs QTS: What's the difference?

Researching the various types of teacher training qualifications and navigating the many acronyms out there can be a struggle. Although you might already know you want to become a teacher, perhaps you’re wondering which qualification is the most suitable for you.

Some of the most frequently asked questions of aspiring trainee teachers are around the differences between a PGCE and QTS. In this article, we’re giving you a breakdown of each of these qualifications to help you make an informed decision when choosing your teacher training course.

What is QTS?

QTS stands for Qualified Teacher Status and you can achieve it through either undergraduate or postgraduate teacher training. Having QTS will enable you to teach in any state-maintained school or non-maintained special school in England or Wales, and it’s a legal requirement. You don’t need it to teach in academies, private schools, or independent schools – although it’s often still recommended, as many schools will use it to assess the quality of candidates for teaching jobs. You also won’t need QTS to teach within the post compulsory education sector.

How can I get QTS?

You will need a bachelor’s degree to become a teacher, and the undergraduate teacher training courses we offer will allow you to graduate with QTS in just three years. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree without Qualified Teacher Status – for example, if you have studied on an undergraduate course unrelated to teaching but still wish to pursue a career in this field – you may want to consider a PGCE, which you can read more about below. Many of our postgraduate teacher training courses award QTS.

Once you’ve completed your initial teacher training, your university or other provider will send your degree results to the government to prove that you’ve demonstrated that you meet the Teachers’ Standards. If successful, you’ll be awarded QTS. If you live in Wales, you’ll be awarded this by the Education Workforce Council.

How can I get QTS if I'm from outside the UK?

If you’re a qualified teacher from outside the UK, you can work as a teacher in England for up to four years without QTS. After this time, you will need to take one of the four routes available to obtain it. Which route you take towards achieving Qualified Teacher Status will be determined by your own circumstances, for example, where you qualified as a teacher, your subject specialism, and your teaching experience, amongst other factors.

The first option is to apply online via the government website to check whether you’re already eligible for QTS. This is only available to those who have a teaching qualification from a list of specific countries.

If the first option doesn’t apply to you, you may want to consider taking an Assessment Only Route to QTS. This is one of the fastest ways to gain QTS, and you won’t be required to complete a teacher training programme as the course will allow you to demonstrate that you meet the Teachers’ Standards. If you choose to take the Assessment Only Route to QTS at Sunderland, the assessment period is a maximum of 12 weeks which all takes place in the school you work in, so you’ll never need to attend university. As well as international applicants, this course might also be suitable for UK applicants who match the same criteria.

The third possible route is to complete a teacher training course in England which awards QTS, a number of which you can study here at Sunderland as an international student .

The final option available to you if you’re from outside the UK is undertaking an iQTS course. iQTS is a new teaching qualification that is delivered online and meets the same standards as English QTS. The University of Sunderland is one of only six UK providers currently offering a PGCE iQTS , which is internationally recognised and will automatically lead to the award of Qualified Teacher Status when you complete it.

What is a PGCE?

PGCE stands for Postgraduate Certificate in Education. A PGCE is usually studied full-time over one academic year, but there are also part-time and distance learning courses available. While a PGCE isn’t a legal requirement to teach in England, the deeper understanding of teaching practices, academic theory, and educational research you'll gain can act as proof to employers that you have that valuable additional knowledge. Although having a PGCE doesn’t qualify you to teach on its own, many of them also award QTS.

What are the benefits of studying for a PGCE?

As well as equipping you with additional academic knowledge and skills, there are many other advantages to studying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. One of the key benefits is that a PGCE is internationally recognised, so it could be a worthwhile option to have alongside QTS if you ever hope to teach outside of England or Wales. The Scottish equivalent of a PGCE is a PGDE (a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education).

Another great reason to study for a PGCE, particularly if you’re going down the secondary education route, is that many come with generous bursary or scholarship opportunities. The amount you would qualify for depends on the subject you’re aiming to teach, however, you’ll usually be eligible for a higher bursary in subjects where teachers are in shorter supply, such as STEM-related disciplines . Read more about this in our teacher training funding article .

Lastly, undertaking a PGCE will also allow you to gain credits to put towards a master's degree, so if you’re thinking about continuing your studies once you graduate, it could be a great option for you.

What are the entry requirements for studying for a PGCE?

If you’re considering enrolling onto a PGCE course, you'll usually need a bachelor’s degree of a 2:2 or above to qualify. You'll also need GCSEs in Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above, as well as a GCSE in Science at Grade C/4 or above if you want to teach at primary level.

If you’re choosing to study for a PGCE which will allow you to teach at secondary level, having an undergraduate degree related to the subject you want to teach is preferable, however, this may not be essential if you already have the relevant skills and knowledge. You can find out more about Sunderland’s specific entry requirements by visiting our Education course pages .

Whether it’s QTS or a PGCE you need will largely depend on your own circumstances and career aspirations. To put it in simple terms – you only need QTS to teach in England or Wales, but a PGCE will certainly come with many additional benefits, making you stand out as a teacher and opening up your opportunities even further.

Published 20 March 2023

Published: 20 March 2023

What to expect on your teaching placement

Teaching placements are an integral part of your initial teacher training, and we offer placement opportunities across several of our undergraduate and postgraduate education courses so you can gain relevant work experience. Discover more about what to expect on your teaching placement including how to prepare, the skills and knowledge you’ll gain, and the support you’ll receive.

Why teach a STEM subject?

Are you considering studying for a teaching degree and want to specialise in STEM subjects? Read on to discover why becoming a STEM teacher is both rewarding and beneficial to your career.

Teacher training: What funding is available?

Being able to support yourself while taking the time to complete your teacher training course is an important consideration when it comes to making the decision to apply. In this article, we look at the different options available when it comes to teacher training funding.

Why choose primary education?

It’s no secret that a career in education ranks incredibly highly when it comes to job satisfaction – but why become a primary school teacher? Explore the top ten reasons to becoming a teacher and find out more about this extraordinary career path.

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Postgraduate Certificate Secondary Education (QTS)

• Visit an Open Day
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The one year Postgraduate Certificate in Education leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Our specialist programmes, which offer high quality training and support, will prepare you to teach in the 11-18 age range and are run in close partnership with schools.

The one-year PGCE (QTS) course prepares you for life as a teacher of your subject in secondary schools. The subjects that we currently offer are:

• Mathematics
• Modern Languages: French/German/Spanish
• Physical Education
• Religious Education
• Science: Biology
• Science: Chemistry
• Science: Physics
• Engineers Teach Physics

The course develops your skills and abilities in understanding the complexities which surround the teaching and learning of your chosen subject. This will help you to develop into a reflective teacher who carefully considers the choices in how to teach your subject and make informed decisions about how you work best with pupils.

The Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) offered by the University of Birmingham combines theory and professional practice leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The PGCE also offers 80 credits that may be used to contribute to further study towards a Master’s degree, such as the MA in Teaching Studies offered by the University of Birmingham in the West Midlands.

School-based work is an important part of the programme, with students normally spending a total of 28 weeks working in schools. During the programme you benefit from both carefully supported introductory work in different schools and the experience of spending a significant length of time in two schools.

The final assessment of teaching is based on the spring/summer term school placement. Assessment is shared between University tutors, staff responsible for students in schools, and external examiners. All aspects of your contribution to the life of the school are taken into account, in particular the teaching of your main subject.

During the course supervised experience and practice are arranged in schools of various kinds across the 11–18 age range. We are fortunate in being able to work with a wide range of partnership schools, including mixed comprehensives, single-sex schools, sixth-form colleges, and our own University Training School . Many of the schools offer opportunities to work with pupils from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds. 

Equal Opportunities

The School of Education and University of Birmingham is committed to equal opportunities in the access to and provision of education. For more information please see the following documents:

• Equality and Diversity

Our PGCE with iQTS which has been approved by the KHDA, follows teaching standards within the U.A.E

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR COURSES IN DUBAI

FIND OUT MORE AT ONE OF OUR OPEN DAY EVENTS IN BIRMINGHAM AND DUBAI

Fees for 2024-2025 are:

£9,250 (UK), £24,120 (International).

When you apply for this course, it is important that you also take into account living costs and should ensure that you will have sufficient funds to finance the full duration of your studies. Our PGCE programmes include a significant amount of time spent on placements in a variety of schools at different locations, and so when budgeting to study you should also allow for travel to and from placements, as well as textbooks, printing, photocopying and stationery that you may need.

Bursaries and Scholarships

Government training bursaries   and Scholarships may be available depending on your subject and degree classification.

Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan

With or without a bursary, you can also access a  Tuition Fee Loan to cover your tuition fees and a Maintenance Loan for your living costs . The available loans for 2023-2024 are:

• a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £9,250 to cover your fees
• a Maintenance Loan of up to £13,022 to support your living costs

Additional financial support

If you have children or a disability, extra funding is available. For instance, you could get:

• For 2023-2024 85% of childcare costs up to £188.90 a week (1 child) or up to £323.85 a week (2 or more children)  Childcare Grant
• For 2023-2024 between £50 and £1,915 a year; Parents’ Learning Allowance
• Child Tax Credits
• Disabled Students’ Allowance
• For 2023-2024 up to £3,354 per year  Adult Dependants' Grant

Find out more information on the  extra financial support available . 

For further information contact the School directly or visit the Funding, Graduation & Awards Office via  online enquiries.  

How To Apply

Apply online through DfE Apply

Please view the individual subject pages to find out the course code.

The Interview process 

Selection is rigorous and designed to identify candidates with the strongest aptitude. Candidates selected for interview will be invited to:

• meet course tutors
• find out more about the course
• have a one to one interview
• show GCSE and Degree certificates (where these are available).

We work closely with partner schools to select candidates and applicants will often have the opportunity to meet senior colleagues from partner schools when they join us for interview day.  

Our Standard Requirements

All applicants to Secondary PGCE (QTS) programmes must hold a degree from a UK HEI (or an equivalent qualification) in a relevant subject, as well as GCSE Maths and English (Grade 4/C or above) or equivalent qualifications which will be a condition of any offer, if not already achieved. Equivalency tests will be accepted but only from equivalency testing .  

Please see individual subject pages for further information.

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact us on  [email protected]

You must also:

• complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before taking up a place.
• complete relevant checks to ensure you have the health and physical capacity to teach.
• agree to abide by the University of Birmingham Code of Professional Conduct and Fitness to Practise.

* Equivalent GCSE grades

International Requirements

Holders of a Licence, Diplome, Diplome d'Etudes Superieures, Diplome d'Ingenieur or a Diplome d'Architecte from a recognised university in Algeria will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of one of these qualifications will normally be expected to have achieved a score of 15/20 for 2:1 equivalency or 13/20 for 2:2 equivalency.  

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Argentinian university, with a promedio of at least 7.5, may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent

A Bachelors (Honours) degree from an accredited Australian higher education institution may be considered for admission to a Masters degree.   Applicants with 3 year Bachelors with distinction from a recognised university, can be considered for admission to a Masters degree.

Holders of a Diplom, a Diplomstudium/Magister or a three-year Bachelors degree from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5 for 2:1 equivalency or 3.0 for 2:2 equivalency, or a high-scoring Fachhochschuldiplom (FH) from a recognised Austrian Fachhochschule, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes. 

Students with a good 5-year Specialist Diploma or 4-year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan, with a minimum GPA of 4/5 or 80% will be considered for entry to postgraduate taught programmes at the University of Birmingham.

For postgraduate research programmes applicants should have a good 5-year Specialist Diploma (completed after 1991), with a minimum grade point average of 4/5 or 80%, from a recognised higher education institution or a Masters or “Magistr Diplomu” or “Kandidat Nauk” from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan.

 Holders of a bachelors degree of four years duration from a recognised university in Bahrain will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3.0/4, 3.75/5 or 75% for 2:1 equivalency or 2.8/4, 3.5/5 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.  

Holders of a Bachelors (Honours) degree of three years duration, followed by a Masters degree of one or two years duration from a recognised university in Bangladesh will be considered for postgraduate taught study. Students with a Bachelors degree of at least four years duration may also be considered for postgraduate study. Degrees must be from a recognised institution in Bangladesh.

Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3.0-3.3/4.0 or 65% or above for 2:1 equivalency, or a GPA of 2.6-3.1/4.0 or 60% or above for 2:2 equivalency depending on the awarding institution.  

Students who hold a Masters degree from the University of Botswana with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (70%/B/'very good') will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Please note 4-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a Diploma of Higher Education. 5-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a British Bachelor (Ordinary) degree.

Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

A Licenciatura or Bacharelado degree from a recognised Brazilian university:

• A grade of 7.5/10 for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement
• A grade of 6.5/10for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement

Holders of a good Bachelors degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Diploma za Zavarsheno Visshe Obrazovanie (‘Diploma of Completed Higher Education’), a pre-2001 Masters degree or a post-2001 Bachelors degree from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 5 out of 6, mnogo dobur/’very good’ for 2:1 equivalence; or 4 out of 6, dobur/’good’ for 2:2 equivalence; will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Students with a minimum average of 14 out of 20 (or 70%) on a 4-year Licence, Bachelor degree or Diplôme d'Etudes Superieures de Commerce (DESC) or Diplôme d'Ingénieur or a Maîtrise will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Holders of a bachelor degree with honours from a recognised Canadian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A GPA of 3.0/4, 7.0/9 or 75% is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1.

Holders of the Licenciado or equivalent Professional Title from a recognised Chilean university will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD study will preferably hold a Magister degree or equivalent.

Students with a bachelor’s degree (4 years minimum) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. However please note that we will only consider students who meet the entry guidance below.  Please note: for the subject areas below we use the Shanghai Ranking 2022 (full table)  ,  Shanghai Ranking 2023 (full table) , and Shanghai Ranking of Chinese Art Universities 2023 .

需要具备学士学位（4年制）的申请人可申请研究生课程。请根据所申请的课程查看相应的入学要求。 请注意，中国院校名单参考 软科中国大学排名2022（总榜） ，  软科中国大学排名2023（总榜） ，以及 软科中国艺术类高校名单2023 。  

Business School    - MSc programmes (excluding MBA)  

商学院硕士课程（MBA除外）入学要求

School of Computer Science – all MSc programmes 计算机学院硕士课程入学要求

College of Social Sciences – courses listed below 社会科学 学院部分硕士课程入学要求 MA Education  (including all pathways) MSc TESOL Education MSc Public Management MA Global Public Policy MA Social Policy MA Sociology Department of Political Science and International Studies  全部硕士课程 International Development Department  全部硕士课程

  All other programmes (including MBA)   所有其他 硕士课程（包括 MBA）入学要求

Please note:

• Borderline cases: We may consider students with lower average score (within 5%) on a case-by-case basis if you have a relevant degree and very excellent grades in relevant subjects and/or relevant work experience. 如申请人均分低于相应录取要求（5%以内），但具有出色学术背景，优异的专业成绩，以及（或）相关的工作经验，部分课程将有可能单独酌情考虑。
• Please contact the China Recruitment Team for any questions on the above entry requirements. 如果您对录取要求有疑问，请联系伯明翰大学中国办公室   [email protected]

Holders of the Licenciado/Professional Title from a recognised Colombian university will be considered for our Postgraduate Diploma and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent.

Holders of a good bachelor degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Diploma Visoko Obrazovanje (Advanced Diploma of Education) or Bacclaureus (Bachelors) from a recognised Croatian higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 4.0 out of 5.0, vrlo dobar ‘very good’, for 2:1 equivalence or 3.0 out of 5.0, dobar ‘good’, for 2:2 equivalence, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Bacclaureus (Bachelors) from a recognised Croatian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 4.0 out of 5.0, vrlo dobar ‘very good’, or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelors degree(from the University of the West Indies or the University of Technology) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A Class II Upper Division degree is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1. For further details on particular institutions please refer to the list below.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Masters degree or Mphil from the University of the West Indies.

Holders of a good four-year government-accredited Bachelors degree from a recognised Higher Education college with a minimum overall GPA of 3 out of 4 for 2:1 equivalency, or a GPA of 2.75 out of 4 for 2:2 equivalency; or a good four-year Bachelors degree (Ptychio) from a recognised University, with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10 for 2:1 equivalency, or 5.5 for 2:2 equivalency; will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Holders of a good Bakalár, or a good pre-2002 Magistr, from a recognised Czech Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, velmi dobre ‘very good’ (post-2004) or 2, velmi dobre ‘good’ (pre-2004), for 2:1 equivalence, or 2.5, C, dobre ‘good’ (post-2004) or 3, dobre ‘pass’ (pre-2004) for 2:2 equivalence, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes. 

Holders of a good Bachelors degree/Candidatus Philosophiae, Professionbachelor or Eksamensbevis from a recognised Danish university, with a minimum overall grade of 7-10 out of 12 (or 8 out of 13) or higher for 2:1 equivalence, or 4-7 out of 12 (or 7 out of 13) for 2:2 equivalence depending on the awarding institution will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Ecuadorian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 70% or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Magister/Masterado or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Licenciado with excellent grades can be considered.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in Egypt will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3.0/4 for 2:1 equivalency or 2.8 for 2:2 equivalency. Applicants holding a Bachelors degree with alternative grading systems, will normally be expected to have achieved a 75% (Very Good) for 2:1 equivalency or 65% (Good) for 2:2 equivalency. For applicants with a grading system different to those mentioned here, please contact [email protected] for advice on what the requirements will be for you.

Holders of a good Bakalaurusekraad from a recognised university or Applied Higher Education Institution with a minimum overall grade of 4/5 or B for 2:1 equivalency or 3/5 or C for 2:2 equivalency, or a good Rakenduskõrgharidusõppe Diplom (Professional Higher Education Diploma), will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with very good grades (grade B, 3.5/4 GPA or 85%) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

Holders of a good Ammattikorkeakoulututkinto (AMK) (new system), an Yrkeshögskoleexamen (YHS) (new system), a Kandidaatti / Kandidat (new system), an Oikeustieteen Notaari or a Rättsnotarie, a good Kandidaatti / Kandidat (old system), a professional title such as Ekonomi, Diplomi-insinööri, Arkkitehti, Lisensiaatti (in Medicine, Dentistry and Vetinary Medicine), or a Maisteri / Magister (new system), Lisensiaatti / Licenciat, Oikeustieteen Kandidaatti / Juris Kandidat (new system) or Proviisori / Provisor from a recognised Finnish Higher Education institution, with a minimum overall grade of 2/3 or 3-4/5 for 2:1 equivalence or 1-2/3 or 2.5-3/5 for 2:2 equivalence, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes. 

Holders of a good three-year Licence, License Professionnelle, Diplôme d'Ingénieur/Architecte Diplômé d'État, Diplôme from an Ecole Superieure de Commerce / Gestion / Politique, or Diplome d'Etat Maitrise of three years duration or a Maîtrise from a recognised French university or Grande École will be considered for postgraduate taught study.

Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a minimum overall grade of 13 out of 20, bien, for 2:1 equivalency, or 11 out of 20, assez bien, for 2:2 equivalency depending on the awarding institution.  

Holders of a good three-year Bachelor degree, a Magister Artium, a Diplom or an Erstes Staatsexamen from a recognised university, or a good Fachhochschuldiplom from a Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences), with a minimum overall grade of 2.5 for 2:1 equivalency, or 3.0 for 2:2 equivalency, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Students from Germany who have completed three years of the Erstes Staatsexamen qualification with a grade point average (GPA) of 10 from the first six semesters of study within the Juristische Universitätsprüfung programme would be considered for entry onto LLM programmes.  Students from Germany who have completed the five year Erstes Staatsexamen qualification with a grade point average (GPA) of 6.5 would be considered for entry onto LLM programmes. 

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good four-year Ptychio (Bachelor degree) from a recognised Greek university (AEI) with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10 for 2:1 equivalency, or 5.5 out of 10 for 2:2 equivalency, or a good four-year Ptychio from a recognised Technical Higher Education institution (TEI) with a minimum overall grade of 7.5 out of 10 for 2:1 equivalency, or 6.5 out of 10 for 2:2 equivalency, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

4-year Licenciado is deemed equivalent to a UK bachelors degree. A score of 75 or higher from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC) can be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 60 is comparable to a UK 2.2.  Private universities have a higher pass mark, so 80 or higher should be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 70 is comparable to a UK 2.2

The Hong Kong Bachelor degree is considered comparable to British Bachelor degree standard. Students with bachelor degrees awarded by universities in Hong Kong may be considered for entry to one of our postgraduate degree programmes.

Students with Masters degrees may be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Alapfokozat / Alapképzés (Bachelors degree) or Egyetemi Oklevel (university diploma) from a recognised Hungarian university, or a Foiskola Oklevel (college diploma) from a recognised college of Higher Education, with a minimum overall grade of 3.5 for 2:1 equivalency, or 3 for 2:2 equivalency, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes. 

Holders of a Bachelors degree of three or four years in duration from a recognised university in India will be considered for postgraduate taught study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved 55% - 60% or higher for 2:1 equivalency, or 50% - 55% for 2:2 equivalency depending on the awarding institution.  

Either: A four-year Bachelors degree (first class or very good upper second class)

Or: A three-year Bachelors degree (first class) from recognised institutions in India.

For MSc programmes, the Business School will consider holders of three-year degree programmes (first class or very good upper second class) from recognised institutions in India.

For entry to LLM programmes, Birmingham is happy to accept applications from 3 or 5 year LLB holders from India from prestigious institutions.

Holders of the 4 year Sarjana (S1) from a recognised Indonesian institution will be considered for postgraduate study. Entry requirements vary with a minimum requirement of a GPA of 2.8.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in Iran with a minimum of 14/20 or 70% will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate taught programmes.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in Iraq will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of a Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3.0/4 or 75% for 2:1 equivalency, or 2.8/4 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in Israel will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved score of 80% for 2:1 equivalency or 65% for 2:2 equivalency.  

Holders of a good Diploma di Laurea, Licenza di Accademia di Belle Arti, Diploma di Mediatore Linguistico or Diploma Accademico di Primo Livello from a recognised Italian university with a minimum overall grade of 100 out of 110 for 2:1 equivalence, or 92 out of 110 for 2:2 equivalence, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Students who hold the Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Students with a Bachelor degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for entry to a postgraduate Masters degree provided they achieve a sufficiently high overall score in their first (Bachelor) degree. A GPA of 3.0/4.0 or a B average from a good Japanese university is usually considered equivalent to a UK 2:1.

Students with a Masters degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for PhD study. A high overall grade will be necessary to be considered.

Holders of a Bachelors degree of four years duration from a recognised university in Jordan will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3.0/4, 3.75/5 or 75% for 2:1 equivalency or 2.8/4, 3.5/5 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.  

Students who have completed their Specialist Diploma Мамаң дипломы/Диплом специалиста) or "Magistr" (Магистр дипломы/Диплом магистра) degree (completed after 1991) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate Masters degrees and, occasionally, directly for PhD degrees.  Holders of a Bachelor "Bakalavr" degree (Бакалавр дипломы/Диплом бакалавра) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of  2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, may also be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/50

Holders of a Bachelors degree of four years duration from a recognised university in Kuwait will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3.0/4, 3.75/5 or 75% for 2:1 equivalency or 2.8/4, 3.5/5 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.  

Holders of a good pre-2000 Magistrs or post-2000 Bakalaurs from a recognised university, or a good Postgraduate Diploma (professional programme) from a recognised university or institution of Higher Education, with a minimum overall grade of 7.5 out of 10 for 2:1 equivalency, or 6.5 out of 10 for 2:2 equivalency, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in Lebanon will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of a Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a score of 16/20 or 80% for 2:1 equivalency, or 14/20 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in Libya will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of a Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved score of 70% for 2:1 equivalency or 65% for 2:2 equivalency. Alternatively students will require a minimum of 3.0/4.0 or BB to be considered.

Holders of a good Bakalauras (post 2001), Profesinis Bakalauras (post 2001) or pre-2001 Magistras from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10 for 2:1 equivalency, or 7 out of 10 for 2:2 equivalency, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes. 

Holders of a good Bachelors degree or Diplôme d'Ingénieur Industriel from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20 for 2:1 equivalence, or 14 out of 20 for 2:2 equivalence, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (70-74% or A or Marginal Distinction from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 60-69% or B or Bare Distinction/Credit is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Malaysian institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum of 3.0) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Higher Education Institution with a minimum grade of 2:1 (Hons) for UK 2:1 equivalency, or 2:2 (Hons) for UK 2:2 equivalency, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (Honours) from a recognised institution (including the University of Mauritius) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2:1).

Students who hold the Licenciado/Professional Titulo from a recognised Mexican university with a promedio of at least 8 will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Students who have completed a Maestria from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a Bachelors degree, licence or Maîtrise from a recognised university in Morocco will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of a Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a score of 15/20 or 75% for 2:1 equivalency, or 13/20 for 2:2 equivalency.

Students with a good four year honours degree from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. PhD applications will be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors (Honours) degree of four years duration from a recognised university in Nepal will be considered for postgraduate taught study. Students with a Bachelors degree of at least three years duration plus a Masters degree may also be considered for postgraduate study. Degrees must be from a recognised institution in Nepal.

Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3.2/4.0 or 65%-79% average or higher for 2:1 equivalency, or a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 60%-65% for 2:2 equivalency depending on the awarding institution.  

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Dutch university, or Bachelors degree from a recognised Hogeschool (University of Professional Education), or a good Doctoraal from a recognised Dutch university, with a minimum overall grade of 7 out of 10 for 2:1 equivalence, or 6 out of 10 for 2:2 equivalence, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes. 

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (minimum 4 years and/or level 400) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0

Holders of a good three-six-year Bachelorgrad, Candidatus Magisterii, Sivilingeniø (siv. Ing. - Engineering), "Siviløkonom" (siv. Øk. - Economics) degree from a recognised Norwegian education institution with a minimum GPA of B/Very Good or 1.6-2.5 for a 2.1 equivalency, or a GPA of C/Good or 2.6-3.2 for a 2.2 equivalency; will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Holders of a Bachelors degree of four years duration from a recognised university in Oman will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3.0/4, 3.75/5 or 75% for 2:1 equivalency or 2.8/4, 3.5/5 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.  

Holders of a Bachelors degree of four years in duration from a recognised university in Pakistan will be considered for postgraduate taught study. Students with a Bachelors degree of at least three years duration followed by a Masters degree of one or two years duration, or holders of a two year Bachelors degree and a two year Masters degree in the same subject, may also be considered for postgraduate study.

Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 2.8-3.0/4.0 or 65% or above for 2:1 equivalency, or a GPA of 2.6/4.0 or 60% or above for 2:2 equivalency depending on the awarding institution.  

A two-year degree followed by a three-year LLB will count as a full Bachelors degree.

All qualifications must be from recognised institutions. For further details on recognised institutions, please refer to Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in the Palestinian Territories will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3/4 or 80% for 2:1 equivalency or a GPA of 2.5/4 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.    

Holders of the Título de Licenciado /Título de (4-6 years) or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Paraguayan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 4/5 or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  The Título Intermedio is a 2-3 year degree and is equivalent to a HNC, it is not suitable for postgraduate entry but holders of this award could be considered for second year undergraduate entry or pre-Masters.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría / Magister or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Título/Grado de Licenciado/a with excellent grades can be considered.

Holders of the Licenciado, with at least 13/20 may be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent. The Grado de Bachiller is equivalent to an ordinary degree, so grades of 15+/20 are required.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría or equivalent qualification.

Holders of a good post-2001 Licencjat / Inzynier (Bachelors degree), or a pre-2001 Magister, from a recognised Polish university, with a minimum overall grade of 4.5/4+ out of 5, dobry plus ‘better than good’ for 2:1 equivalence, or 4 out of 5, dobry 'good' for 2:2 equivalence, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes. 

Holders of a good Licenciado from a recognised university, or a Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados (DESE) from a recognised Polytechnic Institution, with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, bom com distinção ‘good with distinction’, for 2:1 equivalence, or 14 out of 20, bom ‘good’, for 2:2 equivalence, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes. 

Holders of a Bachelors degree of four years duration from a recognised university in Qatar will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of a Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3.0/4, 3.75/5 or 75% for 2:1 equivalency or 2.8/4, 3.5/5 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.  

Holders of a good Diplomă de Licenţă, Diplomă de Inginer, Diplomă de Urbanist Diplomat, Diplomă de Arhitect, Diplomă de Farmacist or Diplomã de Doctor-Medic Arhitect (Bachelors degree) from a recognised Romanian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10 for 2:1 equivalence, or 7 out of 10 for 2:2 equivalence, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Holders of a good Диплом Бакалавра (Bakalavr) degree with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 from recognised universities in Russia may be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes/MPhil degrees. 

Students who hold a 4-year Bachelor degree with at least 16/20 or 70% will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Holders of a Bachelors degree of four years duration from a recognised university in the Saudi Arabia will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3.0/4, 3.75/5 or 75% for 2:1 equivalency or 2.8/4, 3.5/5 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.  

Students who hold a Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies,Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. A score of 14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2

Students who hold a Bachelor (Honours) degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (or a score of 60-69% or B+) from a well ranked institution will be considered for most our Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees with a 2:1 requirement.

Students holding a good Bachelors Honours degree will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good three-year Bakalár or pre-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, Vel’mi dobrý ‘very good’ for 2:1 equivalence, or 2, C, Dobrý ‘good’ for 2:2 equivalence, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes. 

Holders of a good Diploma o pridobljeni univerzitetni izobrazbi (Bachelors degree), Diplomant (Professionally oriented first degree), Univerzitetni diplomant (Academically oriented first degree) or Visoko Obrazovanja (until 1999) from a recognised Slovenian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8.0 out of 10 for 2:1 equivalence, or 7.0 out of 10 for 2:2 equivalence, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes. 

Students who hold a Bachelor Honours degree (also known as Baccalaureus Honores / Baccalaureus Cum Honoribus) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (70%) or a distinction (75%).

Holders of a Masters degree will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelor degree from a recognised South Korean institution (usually with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/4.5) will be considered for Masters programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Título de Licenciado / Título Universitario Oficial de Graduado (Grado) /Título de Ingeniero / Título de Arquitecto from a recognised Spanish university with a minimum overall grade of 7 out of 10 for 2:1 equivalence, or 6 out of 10 for 2:2 equivalence, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Holders of a Special or Professional Bachelors degree of four years duration from a recognised university in Sri Lanka will be considered for postgraduate taught study.

Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved 60-74% or a CGPA 3.30/4.0 or B+ for 2:1 equivalency, or 55-59% or a CGPA 3.0/4.0 or B for 2:2 equivalency depending on the awarding institution.  

Holders of a good Kandidatexamen (Bachelors degree) or Yrkesexamen (Professional Bachelors degree) from a recognised Swedish Higher Education institution with the majority of subjects with a grade of VG (Val godkänd) for 2:1 equivalency, or G (godkänd) for 2:2 equivalency, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes. Holders of a good Kandidatexamen (Bachelors degree) or Yrkesexamen (Professional Bachelors degree) from a recognised Swedish Higher Education institution with the majority of subjects with a grade of VG (Val godkänd), and/or a good Magisterexamen (Masters degree), International Masters degree or Licentiatexamen (comparable to a UK Mphil), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good " Baccalauréat universitaire/ Diplom / Diplôme; Lizentiat / Licence; Staatsdiplom / Diplôme d'Etat" degree from a recognised Swiss higher education institution (with a minimum GPA of 5/6 or 8/10 or 2/5 (gut-bien-bene/good) for a 2.1 equivalence) will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in Syria will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved score of 70%, or ‘very good’ for 2:1 equivalency or 60%, or ‘good’ for 2:2 equivalency.  

Holders of a good Bachelor degree (from 75% to 85% depending upon the university in Taiwan) from a recognised institution will be considered for postgraduate Masters study. Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level. Holders of Bachelors degree from prestigious institutions (see list below) will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3.0/4.0 for 2:1 equivalency or 2.7 for 2:2 equivalency. Applicants with grades slightly below these requirements may also be considered for an offer if they have a relevant Bachelors degree, good scores in relevant modules, or relevant work experience.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from all other institutions will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3.2/4.0 for 2:1 equivalency, or 2.8 for 2:2 equivalency.

Prestigious institutions: Assumption University Chiang Mai University Chulalongkorn University Kasetsart University Khon Kaen University King Mongkut University of Technology - Thonburi (known as KMUTT or KMUT) Mahidol University Prince of Songla University Srinakharinwirot University Thammasat University

Holders of a bachelor degree with honours from a recognised Caribbean and West Indies university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. 

Students with a Bachelors degree from the following universities may be considered for entry to postgraduate programmes:

• Ateneo de Manila University - Quezon City
• De La Salle University - Manila
• University of Santo Tomas
• University of the Philippines - Diliman

Students from all other institutions with a Bachelors and a Masters degree or relevant work experience may be considered for postgraduate programmes.

Grading Schemes

1-5 where 1 is the highest 2.1 = 1.75 2.2 = 2.25 

Out of 4.0 where 4 is the highest 2.1 = 3.0 2.2 = 2.5

Letter grades and percentages 2.1 = B / 3.00 / 83% 2.2 = C+ / 2.5 / 77%

Holders of a postdoctoral qualification from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.  Students may be considered for PhD study if they have a Masters from one of the above listed universities.

Holders of a Lisans Diplomasi with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a Yuksek Diplomasi from a recognised university will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a Bachelors degree of four years duration from a recognised university in the UAE will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of a Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3.0/4, 3.75/5 or 75% for 2:1 equivalency or 2.8/4, 3.5/5 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.  

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (2.1) or GPA of 3.5/5.0

Holders of a good four-year Bachelors degree/ Диплом бакалавра (Dyplom Bakalavra), Диплом спеціаліста (Specialist Diploma) or a Dyplom Magistra from a recognised institution, with a minimum GPA of 4.0/5.0, 3.5/4, 8/12 or 80% or higher for 2:1 equivalence, or a GPA of 3.5/5.0, 3.0/4, 6/12 or 70% for 2:2 equivalence, depending on the awarding institution, will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

The University will consider students who hold an Honours degree from a recognised institution in the USA with a GPA of:

• 2.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement 
• 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement 

Please note that some subjects which are studied at postgraduate level in the USA, eg. Medicine and Law, are traditionally studied at undergraduate level in the UK.

Holders of the Magistr Diplomi (Master's degree) or Diplomi (Specialist Diploma), awarded by prestigious universities, who have attained high grades in their studies will be considered for postgraduate study.  Holders of the Fanlari Nomzodi (Candidate of Science), where appropriate, will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of the Licenciatura/Título or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Venezuelan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Scales of 1-5, 1-10 and 1-20 are used, an overall score of 70% or equivalent can be considered equivalent to a UK 2.1.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Maestria or equivalent qualification

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Vietnamese institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum GPA of 7.0 and above) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.  Holders of a Masters degree (thac si) will be considered for entry to PhD programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5/5.0 or a mark of 2.0/2.5 (A) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a good Bachelor Honours degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

International Students

English language requirements.

IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band PTE Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills TOEFL - 88 IBT overall with no less than 20 in Listening, 21 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing Cambridge English Advanced: 176 overall with 169 in each component

The PGCE programme runs from early September to late June. You will undertake two substantial placements in schools – one in term one and one in terms two and three. Approximately two thirds of the year will be spent in school and one third in the University.

The programme will include the study of subject-based teaching methods as well as the study of broader whole school issues.  A variety of teaching styles and approaches to learning will be used in the presentation of the themes. These include University-based lectures, small group seminars and workshops, school-based work with pupils and teachers, and work undertaken individually or with other groups of students.

You will benefit from a specialist programme, working with a subject tutor and peers, developing a professional network which will sustain you into your career. Our Professional Enquiry course provides breadth and depth of insight across key themes such as learning theories, assessment, equalities, inclusion and teacher health and wellbeing. An additional PSHE award is also available to all students.

You will have a personal academic tutor to guide and support you, as well as a dedicated subject mentor in both your placement schools.

You will complete six modules, five of which require a written assignment. For the final module, University tutors and school-based mentors will share the assessment against the Teachers’ Standards for the award of QTS.

There is currently high demand for secondary teachers in the region and beyond. Employment rates are consistently high and strong links with the partnership schools mean that many students go into employment in the region.

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School of Education

• Our research interests
• Advanced Certificate in Teaching

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

• PGDip & MEd in Higher Education Studies
• PGDip in Adult and Community Education (ACET)
• PGDip in Educational Technology
• BEd Honours
• Master's
• Becoming a teacher
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• FAQs for Current PGCE Students
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• Emeritus Professors
• Honorary Research Associates
• Research Ethical Clearance
• Staff & students support
• Teaching & learning resources for schools

For admission queries & enquiries, please contact:  [email protected]

Phase Coordinator:

• Senior & FET Phase ( Dr Kate Angier )
• School Experience ( Dr Warren Lilley )

The PGCE is a one-year qualification to train graduates who wish to become school teachers. It is the ONLY qualification that provides professional registration with the South African Council for Educators (SACE) for graduates with degrees other than the BEd.

2024 Year Planner

Registration Subject Selection for PGCE programme 2024

Admission to the PGCE is based on what subjects have been studied for the undergraduate degree, according to guidelines issued by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Teacher training is in accordance with appropriate prior degree courses in the subjects to be taught.

Download the PGCE admission criteria

Applications are considered in order of receipt and admission to any PGCE or method course will be closed when the available places have been filled. Early application is advised.

Frequently Asked Questions by both prospective and current students.

Watch this admissions video , which was a webinar hosted by the Jakes Gerwel Fellowship Group. It is relevant to all prospective PGCE students.

PGCE help with VULA and PeopleSoft .

Online applications for admission for the following year usually opens in April.

Fees:  Details about fees are available  here .

Bursaries : View the available options and have a look at the Financial Assistance Handbook for Postgraduate students .