International Programme Key Differences

The key difference between the PGCEi and the PGCE-iQTS course is iQTS.

iQTS is a UK government-backed international teaching qualification which is recognised by the Department for Education (DfE) as equivalent to English qualified teacher status (QTS). You can find out more about iQTS HERE.

In terms of the programmes, there are a variety of similarities and differences set out in each of the tabs below:

Difference in Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements	PGCEi	iQTS
Undergraduate Degree	Minimum 2:2 Hons (UK Equivalent)
Undergraduate Degree	Any suitable subject	For Secondary Trainees: appropriate subject-related degree, work experience, or other evidence of subject knowledge.
English Qualification	Non-native English Speakers: Demonstrable English proficiency: a degree studied through the medium of English; or GCSE Grade C or above; or IELTS 6.5 within the last two years; or significant and evidencable work/study experience in an English-speaking environment.
Maths Qualification	For Primary Trainees ONLY: GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent); or successful completion of external equivalency test from an *approved provider.	Primary & Secondary: GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent); or successful completion of external equivalency test from an *approved provider.
Science Qualification	Not Required	For Primary Trainees ONLY: GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent); or successful completion of external equivalency test.
Qualification Verification	Completed by University
Documentation Verification/Attestation	Completed by University – High quality scans of all documentation required.	All qualifications and ID to be attested by an approved person. High quality scans of attested documentation required.
Additional Admissions Assessment	Not Required	Interview and Numeracy and Literary Interview Task
Safeguarding Requirements	Placement schools local safeguarding checks accepted	Confirmation from school that they have completed local safeguarding checks. If an applicant has lived in the UK they will also need to obtain an ICPC certificate.
Equivalency Tests If you do not hold GCSE Maths and, if needed, GCSE Science (or equivalent) it is possible to undertake online equivalency tests. Visit: equivalencytesting.com Significant discount available for Warwick offer holders, please email cte.admissions@warwick.ac.uk for the code. astarequivalency.co.uk Discounted from £165 to £139 (saving £26). Please contact cte.admissions@warwick.ac.uk for the discount code If you intend to sit an online equivalency test, you must receive your pass result and provide evidence of this before you are permitted to join the course. Non-UK Certification* Certificates must be in English or, if not, official transcripts and translations provided. You will be asked to upload your certificates, transcripts and translations during the pre-screening process. If you received a high school education outside of the UK you will need to ensure that your degree and your high school qualifications are equivalent to UK GCSE grade C or above. The ENIC compatibility tool (here) is useful for this purpose. Cambridge Examinations IGCSE's, US High School Diplomas, Higher Secondary School Certificates, the Baccalaureate Général, and the Titulo de Bachille are examples of acceptable alternatives.

Differences in Teaching Practicum

Teaching Practicum	PGCEi	iQTS
Duration	90 Day School Placement	120 Day School Placement
Minimum Hours Teaching	140 Hours across the 90 day placement	Minimum 5 hours per week at the start of the course, rising to the 15/17 hours by the end of the course. Full time teachers may of course be teaching more than these hours.
Class Sizes	6+
Formal Lesson Observations	8 across the duration of the placement	Fortnightly, then weekly for the final 6 weeks of the assessment period.
External Moderation Visit	1, either face to face or online depending on the course that you apply to.
Other Assessments	3 Assessment Points	4 Assessment Points
Second School Placement	Not required	Some experience of another school setting will be required. This could be a virtual or remote experience. The duration of your second school placement will be determined by how much teaching experience you have obtained prior to joining the programme.

Differences in University Assessment

University Assessment	PGCEi	iQTS
Phase Studies	4000-word Masters level assignment related specifically to an issue, challenge or area of interest in your Phase and/or subject. 30-credits.
Professional Enquiry	Summative 4000-word Masters level assignment. 30-credits
Professional Practice	Records of training activities completed during your teaching practice evidenced via a Professional Digital Portfolio (PDP) and reflections which detail your progress towards the iQTS teaching standards, – (pass/fail). Assessment of your teaching by your School Mentor and University Tutor that demonstrate that you are meeting the iQTS Teacher Standards and successful completion of the associated Moderation Tutor Summative Assessment Visit (pass/fail).

University Assessment

PGCEi

iQTS

Phase Studies

4000-word Masters level assignment related specifically to an issue, challenge or area of interest in your Phase and/or subject. 30-credits.

Professional Enquiry

Summative 4000-word Masters level assignment. 30-credits

Professional Practice

Records of training activities completed during your teaching practice evidenced via a Professional Digital Portfolio (PDP) and reflections which detail your progress towards the iQTS teaching standards, – (pass/fail).

Assessment of your teaching by your School Mentor and University Tutor that demonstrate that you are meeting the iQTS Teacher Standards and successful completion of the associated Moderation Tutor Summative Assessment Visit (pass/fail).

Differences in School Requirements

School Requirements	PGCEi	iQTS
School Type	Any suitable context	Preference given to candidates from accredited schools (CIS, WASC, NEASC etc) and those belonging to reputable membership organisations (COBIS, BSME, FOBISIA etc).
Safeguarding	Required to confirm appropriate local safeguarding checks.
Trainee Teaching Load	School determined	Recommended that some remission given from full load/duties. (Trainees will need time within some school days to complete training activities including observation of good practice.)
Meetings with Mentor	Minimum 10	2 hours of scheduled formative support over each fortnight, for duration of practicum.
Formal Observations	8	Fortnightly, then weekly for the final 6 weeks of the assessment period.
Mentor Training	Mentor must complete Compulsory 2 Hours. Optional 4 Hours	Mentor must complete Compulsory 6 Hours
Documentation	PGCEi School Statement of Support	iQTS School Statement of Support and Signed Partnership Agreement

Differences in Mentor Requirements

Mentor Requirements	PGCEi	iQTS
Qualifications	Mentors must formally recognised by the appropriate licensing body as a qualified teacher within the country that you are training in.
Experience	3+ Years with record of effective teaching
Meetings with Trainee	Minimum 10	2 hours of scheduled formative support over each fortnight, for duration of practicum.
Formal Observations	8	Fortnightly, then weekly for the final 6 weeks of the assessment period.
Mentor Training	Compulsory 2 Hours. Optional 4 Hours	Compulsory 6 Hours (delivered over 7 hours to include breaks)
Documentation	PGCEi School Statement of Support, Completion of the Mentor Confirmation of Understanding and Mentor CV	iQTS School Statement of Support and Partnership Agreement Completion of the Mentor Confirmation of Understanding and Mentor CV

Find out more

To better understand the requirements of each course we recommend that you work through our International Programmes webpages and read through the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. If upon reviewing these pages you still aren’t sure which option is best for you, please contact us via email at pgcei@warwick.ac.uk and we would be happy to answer any additional questions you have related to the international programmes