The Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) offers a phased transition into professional life. During this one-year course, you spend 12 weeks at a university or another higher education institution and 24 weeks on teaching placements in two different schools. When you successfully complete the year, you are awarded an academic PGCE along with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), enabling you to teach in state-maintained schools in England and Wales.

The PGCE usually contains some credits at Master's degree level (M level credits). The number of M level credits in PGCEs varies from one provider to another. Many providers will give you the opportunity to study for the additional M level credits required to obtain a full Master's level qualification after you have completed your PGCE course.

Entry requirements:

• UK Bachelor’s degree or recognised equivalent. If your degree is from another country, check whether it is recognised with the training provider or UK NARIC. Some training providers require your degree to be in languages – check with the training provider.
• GCSE (grade A* - C) in English and Maths or recognised equivalents. If your qualifications are from another country, check whether they are recognised with the training provider or UK NARIC.

Funding:

• Students from the European Union (EU) may be charged tuition fees of up to £3,225 per year.
• Students from outside the EU may be charged tuition fees of up to £11,000 per year.
• EU students may be entitled to a tax-free training bursary of £6,000 per year.
• EU students may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees.
• You may be eligible for a taxable £2,500 financial incentive (“Golden Hello”) when you begin your second full year of teaching after completing your NQT (Newly Qualified Teacher) year.
• More information on student finance.

How to apply:

Apply through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry.