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PGCEi
A PGCEi which is also known as a Post Graduate Certificate in Education international. The course is designed for in-service teachers currently working in or who wish to work in international schools and similar organisations and who wish to acquire an internationally recognised teaching certificate. It is also suitable for non-qualified British in-service teachers seeking their first move into international schooling.
NB: Qualified Teachers Status in England is conferred by the Department of Education and not by universities. The PGCEis do not therefore offer a licence to teach in the UK. Similarly, the programme does not confer Qualified Teachers Status for the Learning and Skills Sector (Post-compulsory education).
Where can I do a PGCEi
Currently there are 3 universities that offers a PGCEi:
How much do they cost?
Nottingham University £3,500 or £3,660
Keele University £4,900
Sunderland University £6,500
What are the main differences between them?
International Schools
If you have completed your PGCEi then it is likely that you will be keen to start recouping the cost by getting a job with a higher salary and better benefits.
Jobs in International schools generally have much higher salaries with better benefits. Of course this is a general guide and whilst it is possible to get into some international schools without one, it is a lot easier with one!
Assessment Only Route to QTS
If you are looking to get QTS as soon as possible read here about how to do it in about 12 weeks in the UK.
Interview with former Nottingham Uni PGCEi student
Here you can read about someone's experience on the course and how it has impacted his career path.
The courses are very similar but there are some important differences.
First of the price, the reason for this is due to practicum element. Nottingham's does not have this element at all which means that it is not recognised in Hong Kong or Singapore. Keele does have it but relies on someone from your school to monitor you for free, whilst Sunderland pays someone from your school to do it. Keele and Sunderland are accepted in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Keele University costs £4,900. However you do need to go to Keele for a week and par take in lectures. This qualification is accepted in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Nottingham University costs either £3,500 or £3,660 depending on which cohort you go on. Options include, China, Peru, UK, Malaysia, UAE, Thailand, Nigeria, Ecuador, Ghana, Kenya, Singapore and Spain.
Sunderland University costs £6,500. No need to go to the UK or do a cohort anywhere as all work is done through the internet.
Table Showing Differences In The PGCEi's
Advantages
An internationally recognised teaching certificate from a UK university.
The price of doing a PGCEi is a lot less than doing a PGCE at a UK university.(£9,000)
You have to be working whilst completing them so you can maintain your income whilst studying
Study on-line, so no need to move back to the UK*.
Course is designed to help teachers get positions in international schools.
Some of the credits from a PGCEi can be used for a Masters in Education.
Disadvantages
Cost £3,500- £6,500
This is a lot on a teachers salary!
You do not gain QTS (qualified teachers status) many of the top international schools require QTS*
Studying on-line does make it more difficult to discuss work with other students.
* It is possible to gain employment without QTS in England within the independent sector, free schools or academies. It is also possible, on return to England and providing all eligibility criteria are met, that the Assessment Only Route to QTS may be followed.
Should I Do A Masters Or A PGCEi?
By doing a PGCEi if you return to the UK and assuming your meet he criteria do the assessment only route to QTS. This is especially useful for teachers who are considering returning to the UK to teach.
A PGCEi can be competed in a year quite comfortably and generally require less work that Masters with a lower cost too.
You can use the credits from the PGCEi as part of a Masters course which can also reduce the cost.
The masters in education is a postgraduate qualification in education (i.e. pedagogy). It is not a professional qualification that shows you how to teach. It is an advanced degree which focuses upon educational research issues (e.g. assessment, inclusive learning). It is something you do after teaching for a while.
To read more about master click here.
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