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Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with iQTS (Primary 5-11) (2025 Entry)

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Find out more about our Postgraduate Certificate in Education International (PGCEi) with iQTS degree at Warwick

This one-year teaching course is a high-quality, grade 1 programme of professional education designed for candidates teaching outside of mainland England, leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and master’s level credits. Our course aims to develop you into a highly reflective practitioner, able to adapt and respond to changes in settings and international educational contexts, and able to take responsibility for your ongoing professional development in preparation for future leadership.

*Course code also differs by assessment method, please visit the Centre for Teacher Education websiteLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window for more information.


Course overview

This one-year, 90-credit Post-Graduate course with iQTS (International Qualified Teacher Status) is a teacher training course designed for students embarking on a teaching career internationally with a focus on combining theory and practice across all course aspects through a blended learning programme.

The course provides a well-integrated blend of online and school-based learning opportunities that develop a values-based and evidence-informed approach to classroom practice in an international school setting. The course is designed to fully cover the iQTS Core Content Framework, as appropriate for the Primary Phase, age range 3-7 or 5-11 and will take account of the local context in which students are teaching. 

Trainees will be supported to understand the complexity of evidence and established views on effective learning in schools. Taught sessions and assessments will encourage critical engagement with evidence and the implications for personal teaching practice. 

The Centre for Teacher Education is the University’s global-service provider for high quality teacher training and professional education. At its most recent inspection, the University of Warwick’s Centre for Teacher Education has been awarded “Outstanding” provider status by the British government standard (OFSTED).

Our iQTS International programme was one of five inspected as part of the DfE iQTS pilot inspections and has been awarded grade 1.

What is iQTS?

iQTS is a UK Government-backed international teaching qualification which will be recognised by the Department for Education as equivalent to English Qualified Teacher Status. 

iQTS is suitable for candidates who wish to train to teach and qualify outside mainland England, including:

  • UK citizens currently working abroad who wish to start teacher training or develop their teaching career
  • Non-UK citizens who wish to begin teacher training or build on existing teaching experience
  • UK and non-UK teachers without QTS who wish to improve their employability in England and internationally with a UK government-backed and approved professional qualification

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

You must hold an approved Bachelor’s degree with Honours at 2:2 or above, (or) equivalent level.

Primary trainees: At least Grade C or 4 in GSCE Maths or equivalent and at least Grade C or 4 in GCSE Science or equivalent.


English language requirements

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window.

This course requires the following:

  • Band A
  • IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0.

Additional requirements

A self-sourced 120-day placement in an international school, which is confirmed by the school (your placement school will need to complete a 'Partnership Agreement' that confirms they have carried out the local safeguarding checks that they would perform for any other employee).

In addition, you will be engaging with four different opportunities for Intensive Training and Practice (ITaPs) which will build your confidence and expertise in carefully selected aspects of the planned curriculum.

Core modules

Subject Studies (primary or secondary education) 30-credits

You will follow a programme of sessions related to your area of phase and expertise. These sessions are designed to heighten your awareness of the pedagogical approaches related to each subject/phase specialism. This will help you adopt a range of approaches and strategies to ensure your teaching is sufficiently diverse to challenge or support as appropriate in an international education setting.

You will engage critically and analytically with a range of theories and models which underpin effective teaching and learning. You will develop the skills, knowledge and understanding required to be an effective teacher. You will understand the impact this has on pupil progress in their subjects, building towards a vision for outstanding learning and teaching in your area of expertise that will underpin your practice on teaching placements.

Professional Enquiry 30-credits

You will engage critically and analytically with a range of theories and models which underpin effective teaching and learning in international educational settings. You will develop the skills, knowledge and understanding required to be an effective teacher and understand the impact this has on pupil progress in a range of international contexts.

You will also be introduced to skills and techniques to support your development as a reflective practitioner, gaining access to a wide variety of pedagogic styles and innovative methods for learning and teaching in international settings. Throughout the course, links between critical reflection and your subject specialisms will be emphasised, helping you to embrace the concept of a connected curriculum.

Professional Practice 30-credits

This component consists of a minimum 120-day teaching placement in your specialist phase teaching to groups of eight or more students. The placement will include regular meetings with your school mentor, as well as evaluations of professional practice through mentoring conversations on placement following lesson observations.

In addition, you will be engaging with four different opportunities for Intensive Training and Practice (ITaPs) which will build your confidence and expertise in carefully selected aspects of the planned curriculum.

Within your 120 day placement you will be asked to complete a second placement, between 1-4 weeks in length (determined by the course lead) at another school or within another phase of your employing school.


Optional modules

There are no optional modules for this course.


Teaching

The programme will be delivered through a combination of online directed and self-directed learning, with a timetable of ‘Live’ online sessions throughout the year via web-based teaching software, mostly in term time. Regular tutorials and a flexible seminar programme ensure that you are treated as an individual from the outset and are supported to progress according to your ability, taking account of your professional and personal development needs.


Assessment

You will be assessed through a range of Master’s level assignments, which are aimed at assessing your professional and subject specific learning. You will also be assessed on whether you meet the International Teachers’ Standards.

More information can be found on our Frequently asked questions (FAQs)Link opens in a new window.


Reading lists

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platform.

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogue.

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to publication dates. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department.


Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you when you join us.

Your career

Upon successfully completing one of our iQTS courses, you will gain 90 credits at Master’s level.

This allows you to fast-track to stage two of CTE’s Master’s degree, quickly progressing your professional development. You will also be recommended for QTS.

Centre for Teacher Education (CTE)

Our vision and ambition for the Centre for Teacher Education (CTE) derives from a commitment to continue the long history of Teacher Education at the University of Warwick where generations of new teachers gain employment in our partner schools to improve the life chances of the children they teach. Our programmes are underpinned by our core values of social justice, intellectual curiosity and creativity.

Our commitment is to ensure we support and develop you as an Early Career Teacher and engage you as part of our alumni community. CTE’s Master's in Professional Education is aimed at practising teachers and school leaders and is designed to ensure the content aligns with an individual’s educational research interest. You will focus your research on an area of your own choice to ensure your studies and learning has real value and impact within your school context.

We pride ourselves on making a difference to our students. We place high-quality teaching and student support at the heart of what we do and recognise that our success is built on the strength of our partnership with our students and schools. Teaching is our top priority and our commitment to our students is paramount.

Learn more about us from our website.Link opens in a new window


Our Postgraduate Taught courses

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your taught course fees  


Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status


Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

  • Core text books
  • Printer credits
  • Dissertation binding
  • Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

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How to apply

Applications are now open for courses that start in September and October 2025.

Applications will close on 2 August 2025 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course  

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