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Course overview

Our unique course provides advanced study for educators working outside the UK. It is a Level 7 qualification on the UK National Qualifications Framework and carries 60 CATS points.

Through critical reflection and research, you will gain the core skills and knowledge to improve your teaching practice. You will compare teaching approaches in different countries and examine your education system from an international perspective. It does not matter what age or subject you teach – the PGCEi is relevant to all curricula and phases.

Offered in multiple locations, you can choose to study with a cohort from a country that suits you. This is a blended course where study takes place online with individual tutor support. You will be invited to a face-to-face induction in your cohort location.*

View our current cohort locations - this information includes start dates and fees.

Please note: the PGCEi is an academic qualification, not a teaching qualification. It therefore does not offer Qualified Teacher Status in the UK.

*Due to the current travel restrictions following the outbreak of COVID-19, our in-country face-to-face induction sessions will now be held online until further notice. This alternative induction will have the same content as before, where you will have the opportunity to speak with your tutors and successfully launch your PGCEi journey. You will then complete your studies online with individual tutor support.

Why choose this course?

Multiple locations

Our course runs in 20 locations around the world

Top 50

in the world for education

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021

200 years

of experience in the field of education

Experienced teachers

Taught by teacher educators, passionate about professional development

Course content

Our PGCEi aims to improve practice by building new ideas and strategies which are tested out in your own classrooms.

It is made up of three 20-credit modules. It can be completed over eight months part-time. However,  most students complete the course in 11 months.

Our PGCEi course is a blended, distance learning course. You will begin the course with an intensive, face-to-face introduction in your cohort location*. This is where you will meet your Nottingham-based tutor and fellow students. Attendance at this is compulsory.

The rest of your studies will be completed online with individual tutor support, enabling you to develop your practice within your school.

*This induction is currently taking place online due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Modules

Core modules

Educational Aims and Values in International Contexts

This module considers international contexts for education and ideas from the philosophy of education and about the purposes of education in different settings. It introduces a philosophical, comparative and observational focus, which runs throughout the PGCEi course. 

The aims of the module are to:

  • develop an understanding of education as a world-wide phenomenon
  • enable you to understand your own education system from an international perspective
  • develop appreciation of the philosophical basis of education
  • develop a range of frameworks for making sense of educational contexts
  • develop alternative perspectives on schools, classrooms and their purposes
Understanding Learning and Teaching in International Contexts

This module focuses on the relationship between theories of learning and models of teaching and enables you to translate your developing understanding into your practice through critical reflection. You will be able to select from a choice of different learning theories and pedagogical approaches.

The aims of this module are to:

  • become conversant with the basic assumptions, concepts, and principles of a range of learning theories and pedagogical approaches
  • understand the practical implications of theories and pedagogical approaches 
  • be able to compare and contrast theories and pedagogical approaches and their relative usefulness in specific educational settings 
  • develop professional knowledge, skills, and understanding for teaching
  • review and develop existing personal theories of learning and models of teaching
  • improve the quality of reflective practice 
Inquiring into Educational Practice in International Contexts

In this module, you will plan and undertake a small-scale investigation in your own educational context. The project is an investigation into an aspect of your students' learning. In preparation for the inquiry and data-gathering processes, the module supports you to develop your understanding of the principles and methodological and ethical considerations of practitioner research.

A research proposal in the form of a formative piece of coursework is submitted to the course tutor for comment at an early stage of work on this module. You are expected to undertake your own literature searches and carry out a literature review to support your inquiry. The completed assignment relates investigation findings to preparatory reading material.

The aims of this module are to:

  • understand the principles and practice of undertaking an educational inquiry into your own practice, at masters level
  • develop familiarity with educational research methodology and ethical requirements
  • promote critical reflection and professional learning
  • enable you to identify and make appropriate use of professional and academic literature
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Tuesday 27 April 2021.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Group study
  • Tutorials
  • Seminars
  • Independent study
  • Small group learning
  • Presentations

After you have completed the induction session, you will commence the web-based study component of the course. This will take place in our dedicated virtual learning environment (VLE) including online course materials, learning resources and regular tutorial support. 

Our course provides an interactive learning experience and allows you to study at your own pace. You will be encouraged to interact with other course participants, and each module will involve group activities such as using discussion boards and video-conferencing software.

To ensure you have the appropriate computer requirements to enable you to study, please view our computer specification guidance notes (PDF)

How you will be assessed

  • Coursework
  • Presentations
  • Reflective review
  • Written work

Each module will be assessed by coursework and a 4,000-word written assignment.

Contact time and study hours

You should aim to study for a total of 600 hours over the duration of the course (approximately 11 months). Coursework activities you will engage in via our virtual learning environment are presented to you within three modules. As a result, each module has a time allocation of 200 hours. These activities have been designed to take approximately 85 hours of study time. We also expect you to spend around 105 hours on your assignment preparation and writing.

The final 10 hours of time for each module is allocated to the induction event. Consequently, most students should aim to spend around 14 hours per week on study.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2021 entry.

Undergraduate degree2:2 (or international equivalent) – applicants should be established educators with regular access to a classroom setting and the internet

Applying

Please view our course venues page for information on how to apply and guidance for your personal statement.

Once you have applied, you will need to provide the following supporting documents:

  • copy of your degree certificate
  • copy of your degree transcript
  • copy of your English test certificate - if English is not your first language and you have one

We must have these documents by the 20th of the month previous to the month the course starts, for example if the course starts 1 July, we must have your documents by 20 June.

Distance learning

Where you will learn

Distance learning

Distance learning is designed to be flexible, so you can choose where and when you study. This allows you to fit your course around work or other commitments and study at your own pace.

Our online teaching is an interactive learning experience. You will receive support from your dedicated tutor, who will guide you through your studies and answer any questions.

Fees

Qualification PG Certificate
Home / UK See course venues for cohort fees
International See course venues for cohort fees

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland starting your course in the 2021/22 academic year, you will pay international tuition fees.

This does not apply to Irish students, who will be charged tuition fees at the same rate as UK students. UK nationals living in the EU, EEA and Switzerland will also continue to be eligible for ‘home’ fee status at UK universities until 31 December 2027.

For further guidance, check our Brexit information for future students.

Additional costs

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses. You may incur travel, accommodation and subsistence costs for the face-to-face induction component of the course. The costs of these will be variable, depending on the location of the face-to-face induction component and your country of domicile. While Covid-19 travel restrictions are in place, all induction sessions are taking place online.

You should be able to access all of the books and journal articles you’ll need through our libraries free of charge. Of course, you may choose to purchase your own copies or more specific titles and the costs of these will be variable.

Funding

Fees vary according to the cohort venue and the cohort facilitator. Please see individual cohort venue pages for details of fees or for contact details of the cohort facilitator.

There are many ways to fund your postgraduate course, from scholarships to government loans.

We also offer a range of international masters scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Postgraduate funding

Careers

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

More than 1,500 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

Graduate destinations

Career destinations for our graduates include counsellors, education advisers, language tutors, primary/secondary teachers and vocational/industrial trainers and instructors.

A number of our graduates are already in employment while undertaking part-time study for professional development in their chosen career.

The PGCEi provides a great foundation for further study options. If you complete the course with marks of 50% or higher for a module will result in masters credit which gives the possibility of 60 credits towards an MA Education or MA Education (flexible) - 180 credits are needed for the MA.

A maximum of 30 credits can be used towards the MA Educational Leadership and Management and MA Special and Inclusive Education courses. We offer full-time, part-time and online study routes for the MA programmes.

For those who are interested in doctoral study, we have an MPhil/PhD. However, credit from the PGCEi cannot be used towards this programme.

Career progression

94.3% of postgraduates from the School of Education secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £28,280.*

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2020, using methodology set by The Guardian. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Two masters graduates proudly holding their certificates

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The University has been awarded Gold for outstanding teaching and learning (2017/18). Our teaching is of the highest quality found in the UK.

The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is a national grading system, introduced by the government in England. It assesses the quality of teaching at universities and how well they ensure excellent outcomes for their students in terms of graduate-level employment or further study.

This content was last updated on Tuesday 27 April 2021. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur given the interval between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.