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PGCE for International Trainees (fully online)

The PGCE for International Trainees offers teachers outside the UK, without formal training, a programme of professional development online.

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Course overview

  • 2027
  • Full-time
  • Sep, 37 weeks
  • Postgraduate
  • PGCE
  • Online
    • *See below for full fee information

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    About the Course

    View full details of this course in the curriculum handbook

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

    The PGCE for International Trainees offers teachers outside the UK, without formal training, a programme of professional development online. Successful teachers will receive the globally recognised PGCE and 60 masters credits if they pass the course at Level 7.

    Course content

    The PGCE for International Trainees is a 37-week school-based course which has been adapted from our popular Independent PGCE in the UK. You must be employed in a school to take the course with a teaching timetable of at least 10 hours. You will work under the guidance of your in-school mentor and your university tutor Each week you will be observed by your mentor, reflect on your practice and have a one-to-one meeting with your mentor to review progress and set targets.

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

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

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

    How is the PGCE Assessed?

    The PGCE is an academic qualification that allows you to reflect on your personal and professional development and respond positively to feedback. To pass the course you will need to meet each of the Teacher Standards as set by the Department for Education through your teaching and also write and pass three assignments which will be assessed at masters (L7) level. Those passing at Level 7 will receive 60 masters credits which you may want to put towards a full masters at a later date.

    The three essays will collectively enable students to:

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

    The essays reflect three modules:

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

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

    Module 2: Development of Effective Practice (20 credits)

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

    Module 3: Consolidating and Reflection (20 credits)

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

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

    We also offer this PGCE in Arabic.

    What about QTS?

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

    Training Dates 2027/27

    The dates for 2027-28 are not yet finalised but here are the dates for 2026-27 as a guide:

    • Induction 1 9am-1pm Thursday 20 August Online via Zoom
    • Induction 2 9am-1pm Friday 21 August Online via Zoom
    • Training Day A 11:30 -14:30 Thursday 17 September (3 hrs)
    • Training Day B 11:30 -14:30 Thursday 24 September (3 hrs)
    • Training Day C 11:30 -14:30 Thursday 1 October (3 hrs)
    • Training Day D 11:30 -14:30 Thursday 15 October (3 hrs)
    • Training Day E 11:30 -14:30 Thursday 12 November (3 hrs)
    • Training Day F 11:30 -14:30 Thursday 19 November (3 hrs)
    • Training Day G 11:30 -14:30 Thursday 26 November (3 hrs)
    • Essay 1 deadline 12noon Friday 27 November 2026
    • Training Day H 11:30 -13:30 Thursday 14 January 2027 (2 hrs)
    • Training Day I 11:30 -13:30 Thursday 21 January (2 hrs)
    • Training Day J 11:30 -13:30 Thursday 28 January (2 hrs)
    • Training Day K 11:30 -13:30 Thursday 11 February (2 hrs)
    • Training Day L 11:30 -13:30 Thursday 25 February (2 hrs)
    • Essay 2 deadline 12noon Friday 5 March 2027
    • Training Day M 11:30 -13:30 Thursday 11 March (2hrs)
    • Training Day N 11:30 -14:30 Thursday 29 April (3 hrs)
    • Essay 3 deadline 12noon Friday 7 May 2027
    • Training Day O (reflection/celebration) 11.30 -13.30 Thursday 20th May

    Entry Requirements

    • You must have a university bachelor’s degree equivalent to Level 6 in UK; please check on Ìýwhich provides advice on comparability & equivalency. We will need to see your original degree certificate.
    • You must be employed as a teacher in a school abroad that teaches English National Curriculum subjects or the International Baccalaureate (IB) and be in charge of a full-size class for a minimum of 10 hours a week.
    • International applicants may need to demonstrate proficiency in English. Full details are available on our Postgraduate Language Requirements page.

    In addition, you must:

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

    The employing school must be able to fully support a candidate through the course, including appointing a suitable in-school mentor and releasing the trainee for the compulsory live online lectures on Thursdays.

    Course Fees

    The fees for this course are:

    StartTypeTotal cost
    Sep 2027
    Full-time (37 Weeks)
    PGCE for International [Sep 2027]
    		UKN/A
    INT£4,800
    N/A = Not applicable

    Where courses exceed one year in duration, the University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.

    Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.

    Fees are invoiced at the beginning of the course. ÌýInstalments can be arranged directly with the Finance department upon receipt of the invoice.

    All staff at COBIS member schools get a 5% discount on course fees. To ensure the discount is applied please select ‘COBIS’ from the partnership box on your application form.

    Applicants from China should apply through the Â鶹ֱ²¥ International School of Education, please click here:

    Applicants who would like this course taught in Arabic should email mayamin.altae@buckingham.ac.uk

    How To Apply

    Please use the ‘Apply Now’ button ; or contact The Faculty of Education on +44 (0)1280 820222 or email: pgce-edu@buckingham.ac.uk

    Before we can accept you, you will need to supply:

    • a copy of passport photo page (and visa/work permit where necessary)
    • copies of your qualification certificates – UK Bachelors Degree or equivalent (an ENIC statement of comparability will be required for all qualifications awarded outside of the UK)
    • a head and shoulder style photo for your University identity card

    Some courses are limited in terms of numbers and we operate a first-come-first-served system. Applications can take at least 6 weeks to process. Please consider school holiday closures and ensure applications are submitted in good time to avoid disappointment.

    Please click the ‘Apply Now’ button to view the application deadline and start your application.

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