This innovative distance learning PGCE is designed to enhance your professional teaching practice, by developing the academic knowledge, understanding and skills that drive effective international teacher education.
Are you currently training or teaching in an international education environment and looking to establish yourself as an international specialist? This online PGCE will suit pre-service and in-service teachers who are training or working in international education. The part-time study mode and flexible delivery format enable you to gain a qualification whether you’re training to teach or teaching in any location around the world.
This Masters’ level course explores educational philosophies and theories across a range of settings, examining how they link to the latest research and professional practice in international education. It will develop the essential knowledge, understanding and skills that you will need for effective, reflective and competent classroom practice in an international education setting.
The structure is designed to deepen your understanding of effective international education. Learning from sector experts while learning alongside a community of peers across the world, you will gain multiple perspectives, and ultimately strengthen your own knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues in education.
The Durham University PGCE International award is a well-established qualification that is highly regarded by employers. It aims to strengthen your professional teaching experiences and equip you with a level of skills and knowledge that will transform your teaching. You will develop key academic skills including: critiquing educational research literature and using this to develop an academic argument; formulating, analysing and solving problems, and planning, conducting and evaluating small-scale academic research.
The PGCE International Programme is not eligible for QTS (Qualified Teacher Status in England).
The programme aims to support you in developing a critical understanding of a range of educational philosophies and theories, whilst relating these to research and to professional practice in international education. You will explore and acquire skills, knowledge and understandings of effective, reflective and competent classroom practice in international education settings.
Through the three 20 credit modules in the programme, and in the context of international education, you will develop the ability to master the complex area of knowledge of educational ideas and philosophies in education. You will critically review the factors which affect teaching and learning in the contemporary classroom, including representing the complexity and contradictions in the knowledge base and applying it to novel and complex situations. You will develop the ability to identify and solve problems in complex and unpredictable educational contexts, demanding innovative work which includes exploring the current limits of knowledge. You will reflect on the complexities presented in a range of educational research literature and use this in the writing of academic assignments, appropriate to Masters’ Level study. This will include working autonomously within the bounds of professional practice; operating independently and exercising appropriate judgement in novel and complex contexts; searching, synthesising, summarising and critiquing literatures.
The course is delivered online by Durham University’s international education specialist tutors.
Specifically created for students from a variety of international education settings, learning is largely asynchronous to allow for commitments and time differences. Learning methods include interactive sessions covering key educational themes, supported by sessions to develop critical thinking and academic writing skills. You will also attend online small group tutorials to enable sharing of ideas.
All learning is supported by the virtual-learning platform, which provides 24-hour access to learning materials and resources, including critically reflective activities and tutor-facilitated peer discussion, which enables you to fully immerse in the learning experience. Throughout the course you will have access to personalised support from a Durham University tutor for each module.
Assessment
Assessment for each module takes the form of a 2,500-word critical discussion piece and a linked evidence portfolio. The critical discussion makes up 60% of the summative assessment marks with the evidence portfolio accounting for the remaining 40%.
Assessment-related tasks, including reflective activities and assessments, will be woven into the module content to maximise workload efficiency.
Entry requirements
Achieved graduate status with 2ii (or international equivalent) honours degree level or above.
Candidates for whom English is not their first language must satisfy Band B English language requirements, stated in this link: Direct Entry Band B - Durham University
Candidates must be training to teach or teaching in an international education setting.
International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.
Home students who do not meet our direct entry requirements, may be eligible for our Foundation Programme which offers multidisciplinary programmes to prepare you for a range of specified degree programmes.
The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only.
The consistently high ranking of the School gives us a worldwide reputation for the quality of not only our teaching but the skills and knowledge of our postgraduate community. The delivery of the subject by relevant academic experts brings together world class research, innovative teaching and exceptional support.
Your time as a member of our student community places you in the strong position to pursue a successful career in a range of different sectors. Career opportunities in education are numerous, rewarding, and far reaching.
Most of our PGCE graduates go directly into teaching whilst MA graduates progress into a wide range of roles including educational research, publishing, education administration, policy making and management plus jobs in commercial or public sectors.
Department information
Education
One of the leading education establishments in the UK, Durham’s School of Education provides the skills and experience necessary whether you aspire to become an outstanding teacher, contribute to educational development, or carry out vital research that informs the creation of education practice and policy.
The School of Education offers both teacher training and non-teacher training education programmes, set within a vibrant and engaged learning community of around sixty academic staff and 350 postgraduates. We are a leading educational research centre with strong international ties and numerous partner relationships with schools and colleges.
Our postgraduate courses are flexible and allow you to follow a particular interest. They include MAs in Education, Educational Leadership and Change and Intercultural Communication and Education. We also offer a range of PGCE qualifications at primary and secondary levels and in specific school subjects.
We provide opportunities for learning from academic staff who are leading research and teaching experts in their fields. They underpin our School’s commitment to conducting research that contributes to shaping educational practice and policy, develops educational research and methodologies, informs school improvements and supports the professional development of teachers around the world.
Our portfolio of research projects attracts interest and financial support from important bodies who have a key role in developing education in the UK. They include the Economic and Social Research Council, the Nuffield Foundation, the Sutton Trust, and the Education Endowment Foundation, as well as a range of other organisations and charities.
Facilities
The School is located at Lower Mountjoy on the main University campus and is not far from the centre of Durham with its UNESCO World Heritage status and the beautiful Cathedral.
Apply
Find out more:
Apply for a postgraduate course (including PGCE International) via our online portal.
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