Start Your Teaching Career with University of Buckingham’s PGCE Program
While a teacher’s effectiveness relies on their subject expertise and personality traits, specific skills essential for teaching must be developed through a PGCE course. The University of Buckingham provides an ideal pathway for aspiring educators through its PGCE program.
The PGCE, or Postgraduate Certificate in Education, is a credential that qualifies graduates for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), allowing them to teach in state-funded schools in the UK. This course combines academic study with hands-on teaching experience and can be completed in one year full-time or two years part-time.
The program is structured to enhance subject knowledge, requiring applicants to hold an undergraduate degree relevant to the subject they wish to teach. Below are the various PGCE courses available at the University of Buckingham:
Independent PGCE for Independent Schools and Academies
This course is tailored for teachers in the independent sector who have not undergone formal teacher training. It provides a structured professional development program for those teaching in primary, preparatory, and senior schools, as well as academies. The 37-week course includes online learning supplemented by a seven-day residential training session.
Entry Requirements: Applicants must hold a UK degree and be employed as a teacher in an independent school or academy, responsible for a full-sized class for at least 10 hours per week.
PGCE for International Trainees (Fully Online)
Designed for teachers working outside the UK who lack formal training, this course offers a structured professional development program. The International PGCE spans 37 weeks and includes mentorship from a school-appointed supervisor who observes teaching practices and meets weekly to discuss progress and goals.
Entry Requirements: Candidates must have a UK degree and be employed in an international school offering the English National Curriculum or the International Baccalaureate (IB). They must also hold responsibility for a full-sized class for at least 10 hours a week and may need to demonstrate English proficiency, as well as physical and mental fitness for teaching.
Prep PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status
The Prep PGCE with QTS focuses on training teachers for independent preparatory schools serving students aged 7 to 14 in England. Applicants must be currently employed in a preparatory school and have experience teaching this age group over four consecutive school years.
Entry Requirements: Candidates should have a UK degree, GCSEs in English and Maths at grade C/4 or higher (or equivalent), and must pass an interview demonstrating literacy and numeracy skills. Additionally, they require a reference from their headteacher, as well as support from their school for their second placement and a suitable mentor. A criminal record check and evidence of physical and mental fitness for teaching are also necessary.
Primary PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status
This course qualifies teachers to work in state-maintained and special schools in England. It is also open to teaching assistants aspiring to become teachers.
Entry Requirements: Applicants need a UK degree, along with GCSEs in English Language, Maths, and Science at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent). They must attend an interview and provide a reference from their headteacher, along with a commitment from their school to release them for the second placement and to provide a suitable mentor. A satisfactory criminal record check and proof of fitness to teach are mandatory. The employing school must be capable of fully supporting the candidate in demonstrating the Teachers’ Standards across the complete range of ages and abilities.
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Conversion Course – Primary
The QTS Conversion Course is available for teachers currently employed in maintained or independent schools in England who have completed the University of Buckingham’s Independent PGCE within the last two years. This course grants the accreditation needed to teach in state-maintained and special schools in England.
Entry Requirements: The requirements are identical to those for the Primary PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status.
Scottish PGCE
This course enables trainees to hone their teaching abilities and actively participate in school life. It emphasizes the connection between theory and practice through reflection and feedback. The Scottish PGCE is recognized by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), and graduates can apply for provisional registration upon successful completion.
Entry Requirements: Candidates must have a UK Bachelor’s Degree (minimum 2:2) along with a certificate and transcript. They also need National Qualifications in English at SCQF Level 6 (e.g., Higher Grade) and Mathematics at SCQF Level 5 (e.g., National 5) or equivalent. For non-UK qualifications, a UK ENIC statement of comparability and a certified translation of the degree transcript are required. Applicants must be employed in a Scottish school and demonstrate digital technology competency.
Secondary PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status
This program focuses on developing informed teachers who understand child development and learning processes, enabling them to reflect on how these factors influence student learning and their own teaching practices.
Entry Requirements: The requirements are the same as those for the Primary PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status.
For more information on the various PGCE courses, please visit the University of Buckingham’s official website.