PG Certificate International Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Online)
Key Details
- Attendance
- Part Time
- Award
- Postgraduate Certificate
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
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Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Improve your professional practice as an educator by studying our part-time, online international Postgraduate Certificate in Education (iPGCE).
Whether you want to advance your career, explore a specific area of educational research, or deepen your expertise, this one-year programme will help you build on your existing experience and develop as a reflective, effective practitioner.
Designed specifically for educators working in schools or colleges internationally, this Level 7 postgraduate qualification offers 60 credits, which can be transferred towards a full Master’s degree. Because the modules require you to reflect on and evaluate your own practice, you’ll need to be in employment whilst studying.
You’ll develop advanced skills and knowledge in learning, teaching, and educational research, whilst connecting with peers from around the world and academics with extensive international experience in teacher education.
Whatever stage you’re at in your career, this course will challenge you to broaden your academic understanding and enhance your professional practice.
Please note: The iPGCE is an academic qualification and does not lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in England.
Study and Modules
Structure
This iPGCE is designed for those working in international settings as well as in the UK, across all age phases from early years through to post-16 education. As an educator, your career is built on continuous learning, and this qualification supports you in your ongoing development.
Course content is delivered asynchronously through recorded lectures and accompanying tasks, allowing you to study flexibly around your professional commitments. You’ll also take part in occasional synchronous seminars and individual online tutorials, giving you opportunities for real-time discussion, reflection, and personalised guidance.
In the first semester, you’ll focus on developing your understanding of pedagogy by exploring both established and innovative theories of learning and teaching. You’ll consider how these theories relate to professional competency requirements in your context and how they apply to your own educational practice.
In the second semester, you’ll analyse national curricula and education policies within your own setting, examining how they support learning, teaching, and assessment in your subject specialism(s). You’ll also engage with broader themes such as inclusion, literacy, and numeracy.
In the final stage of the course, you’ll learn how to design and conduct research using appropriate methods to address real challenges in your teaching. You’ll identify a specific problem and develop a research project aimed at finding meaningful, transformative solutions.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll benefit from flexible study patterns designed to fit around your professional commitments. Learning resources are accessible through our digital library, and the course is delivered via dedicated online learning platforms.
We create a stimulating and challenging online environment, taught by academics who are leaders in their field and actively shaping new thinking and educational practices. You’ll collaborate with peers from diverse contexts, engaging in meaningful discussions about contemporary educational issues. By the end of the course, you’ll have developed a wide range of valuable skills and knowledge that will support and enhance your future career.
You’ll benefit from flexible part-time study that allows you to learn at a time and place that fits your professional commitments. Throughout the course, you’ll be supported by experienced subject specialist teacher educators and academics with extensive international research experience.
You’ll learn how to use theory and research to continually improve your teaching and your students’ outcomes, whilst reflecting on your professional growth and future career development. As part of your studies, you’ll plan an exciting research project focused on improving your own teaching practice or addressing an educational challenge, helping you become a critical and reflective practitioner.
This course also provides opportunities for you to build an international professional network of like-minded educators, offering valuable support throughout your career. You’ll have access to a wide range of digital resources, including journals, books, and databases, as well as an online seminar series. In addition, you’ll receive personalised guidance from a dedicated adviser to ensure you have the support you need to thrive.
Assessment
Assessment will consist of a mix of formative and summative assignments using a variety of methods. These include written discursive and reflective tasks, formative outline plans to support your summative work, the development of a small-scale research proposal, and evidence-based portfolios.
Employability
After the Course
The course is designed so that you can focus on a particular area, or areas, of your own educational practice and develop an inquiry-based approach to Continuing Professional Development. This approach enables you to personalise your studies for your own career progression and well-being, helping you become a more effective teacher, support practitioner, and leader.
After completing the course, you may use your 60 iPGCE credits as a pathway to join a full MA programme in the School of Education and continue to undertake further research.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Teacher
- Teaching Assistant
- Middle Manager
- Department Head
- Pastoral Leader
- Educational researcher
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2:2
Degree Subject
No specific degree subject is required.
- Additional Entry Requirements
Within their personal statements, applicants must confirm their job title and give a very brief description of their role (e.g. teacher/teaching assistant), and the name and address of the educational setting where they work. Applicants will be asked to provide a reference from a referee who is able to comment on their work.
If you are working in a voluntary capacity, we will consider your work experience and the nature of your work in order to assess your suitability for the course.
If you do not meet our academic qualifications entry criteria, you may be accepted if you have significant experience of planning for learning, teaching, and assessment.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2:2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
No specific degree subject is required.
- Additional Entry Requirements
Within their personal statements, applicants must confirm their job title and give a very brief description of their role (e.g. teacher/teaching assistant), and the name and address of the educational setting where they work. Applicants will be asked to provide a reference from a referee who is able to comment on their work.
If you are working in a voluntary capacity, we will consider your work experience and the nature of your work in order to assess your suitability for the course.
If you do not meet our academic qualifications entry criteria, you may be accepted if you have significant experience of planning for learning, teaching, and assessment.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components).
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills:
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- International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study the International Pre-Masters programme offered by our partner INTO UEA. This programme guarantees progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details, please click here:
International Pre-Masters in Business, Economics and Social Sciences
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are £5,500.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.