PGCE for Independent Schools - Postgraduate Certificate in Education

Study level: Postgraduate
A teacher in a chemistry lab holding a test tube up in front of students wearing safety glasses.

Our PGCE for Independent Schools is a teacher training course for trainee teachers.

Location

In schools

Study mode

Work-based learning with online study

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time

Course code

See how to apply

Start date

January
April
September

Cost

£4,500 full-time
£2,250 per year part-time

Age phases

Primary
Secondary


Course overview

This course enables trainee teachers working in schools to study for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education while in employment or on placement in independent schools in England. This course does not include QTS (Qualified Teacher Status).

The course is offered at primary level (for trainees teaching pupils aged 5-11) and in a range of subjects at secondary level (for trainees teaching pupils aged 11-16 or 11-18). The course is also offered for the 14-19 age range in subjects which are usually only taught in Key Stages 4 and 5.

  • Trainees train to teach ‘on the job’, learning with the support of expert practitioners in schools.
  • Academic learning takes place online with the support of experienced university lead mentors.
  • Flexible delivery approaches ensure the course is accessible to trainee teachers anywhere in the world.
  • Choice of 20 subject specialisms at secondary level (11-19 age range).

Course details

The course maintains there is no one way to teach and encourages you to engage with a variety of teaching methods to develop your own best practice. It promotes the principle that continued professional development is fundamental to outstanding teaching and aims for its graduates to carry forward this belief throughout their careers.

There are four modules of study, comprising Behaviour and Classroom Management, Curriculum Delivery and Assessment, Development of Teaching, and Practical Teaching Practice.

If you wish you may also undertake a second school placement to gain experience of teaching in more than one school2.

The Practical Teaching Practice module runs throughout the course, and formative assessment informs your progress and helps you to develop your teaching. At the end of the course, a summative assessment of your teaching competency is made.

For part-time trainees, these modules are spread across Year 1 and Year 2.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


Entry requirements

Applicants must:

  • Hold an undergraduate degree, or equivalent as assessed by UK ENIC.
  • Be employed or on placement in a school for the duration of their studies. 

Satisfactory safeguarding and health checks, enhanced DBS checks, and criminal records disclosure are required5.

For more information about this course, entry requirements or your educational setting suitability, speak to our team.

Contact us

International applicants

International applicants are eligible to apply for the International PGCE.


Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK £4,500   £2,250 per year
EU Not available Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

Tuition fees3 cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.


How to apply


Frequently asked questions