The University of Buckingham's PGCE course, also referred to as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, is an accreditation or a certificate that enables qualified teacher status (QTS).
This allows them to teach in state schools (A school which is funded and controlled by the state and in which no fees are charged) in the UK. The PGCE is a mix of university study and teaching practice. The course takes a year full time, or two years part-time.
It’s designed to teach students subject knowledge – requiring them to have an undergraduate degree that’s relevant to the subject they want to teach. Here are the different PGCE courses offered by the University of Buckingham :
INDEPENDENT PGCE FOR INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES
This course offers teachers in the independent sector who have not undergone a period of formal teacher training, the opportunity to participate in a structured program of professional development.
This course is for those teaching in Primary, Preparatory, and Senior Schools, as well as all Academies. The PGCE is a 37-week school-based course and is done online with a period of seven days of residential training.
Entry Requirement: Applicants must have a UK degree. They must be employed as a teacher in an independent school or Academy and be in sole charge of a full-size class for a minimum of 10 hours a week.
PGCE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAINEES ( FULLY ONLINE)
This course offers teachers based in schools outside the UK, who have not undergone a period of formal training, the opportunity to participate in a structured program of professional development.
The International PGCE is a 37-week school-based course during which trainee teachers work under the guidance of a mentor (appointed by the school in which they work) who observes them teach and meets weekly to review progress and set targets.
Entry Requirement: Applicants must have a UK degree. You must be employed as a teacher in an international school abroad that teaches English National Curriculum or the International Baccalaureate (IB) and be in sole charge of a full-size class for a minimum of 10 hours a week. International applicants may need to demonstrate proficiency in English. They must also have the physical and mental fitness to teach.
PREP PGCE WITH QUALIFIED TEACHER STATUS
The Prep Postgraduate Certificate in Education with QTS is a training course tailored to teachers in independent preparatory schools (ages 7 to 14) in England. Applicants must be employed as a teacher in a preparatory independent school and be teaching within four consecutive school years to pupils aged 7-14.
Entry Requirement: Applicants must have a UK degree. They must have a GCSE in English and maths at grade C/4 or above or equivalent. In addition, they must attend an interview and demonstrate competence in literacy and numeracy. Provide a reference from their headteacher supporting their application to undertake a PGCE.
They must obtain the commitment from their school to release them for the second school placement and to provide a suitable mentor. Applicants must provide a satisfactory criminal record check and show the physical and mental fitness to teach.
The employing school must be able to fully support a candidate through the course, enabling them to demonstrate all of the Teachers’ Standards across the full age and ability range of training, and cannot be graded as inadequate.
PRIMARY PGCE WITH QUALIFIED TEACHER STATUS
This course enables teachers to teach in state-maintained and special schools in England. They are expected to be already employed in independent schools in England. This course is also available to Teaching Assistants who wish to qualify as teachers.
Entry Requirement: Applicants must have a UK degree. They must also have a GCSE in English Language, Maths, and Science at grade C/4 or above or equivalent. In addition, they must attend an interview. Demonstrate competence in literacy and numeracy.
They must also provide a reference from their headteacher supporting their application to undertake a PGCE. Obtaining the commitment from their school to release them for the second school placement and to provide a suitable mentor is also required.
They must provide a satisfactory criminal record check and show the physical and mental fitness to teach. The employing school must be able to fully support the candidate through the course, enabling them to demonstrate all of the Teachers’ Standards across the full age and ability range of training, and cannot be graded as inadequate.
QUALIFIED TEACHER STATUS ( QTS) CONVERSION COURSE - PRIMARY
The QTS Conversion Course is available to teachers who are currently employed in maintained or independent schools in England, and who have already completed The University of Buckingham’s Independent PGCE within the past two years.
This course is the accreditation that enables teachers to teach in state-maintained and special schools in England. Entry requirements for this course are the same as they ones under the Primary PGCE With Qualified Teacher Status course.
SCOTTISH PGCE
This course enables trainees to develop and refine their ability to teach and play a full part in the life of a school. It aims to develop trainees’ ability to link theory to practice through reflection and feedback.
The Scottish PGCE is recognized by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to apply for provisional registration with the GTCS.
Entry requirements:
- A UK Bachelor’s Degree (minimum 2:2). Certificate and transcript are required.
- National Qualifications in English at SCQF Level 6 (for example Higher Grade) or an accepted equivalent.
- National Qualifications in Mathematics at SCQF Level 5 (for example National 5) or an accepted equivalent.
- For Non-UK qualifications, a statement of Comparability will be required from UK ENIC, together with a certified translation of the degree transcript.
- To be employed in a school in Scotland.
- To demonstrate competency in Digital Technology skills
SECONDARY PGCE WITH QUALIFIED TEACHER STATUS
This program aims to develop critically aware teachers who have a clear understanding of child development and how children learn so that they can reflect on how it impacts pupil learning and informs their practice as teachers.
Entry requirements for this course are the same as they ones under the Primary PGCE With Qualified Teacher Status course.
For more information about all the PGCE courses, visit the University of Buckingham website.
