Our areas of study
Explore the different areas of study we offer within the School of Education to find out which courses could be suitable for you and your career aspirations. These four areas include Initial Teacher Training, Distance Learning, Post Compulsory Education and Training, and Professional Development.
Initial Teacher Training
We provide undergraduate and postgraduate initial teacher training courses, both within primary and secondary teaching. Most of our teacher training degrees will award you with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which means that as soon as you graduate, you will be qualified to teach in any state-maintained school in England or Wales.
Our undergraduate teacher training programmes are three-year, full-time degrees, whereas our PGCE courses are one-year postgraduate qualifications. Many of our secondary teaching courses are subject-specific, allowing you to specialise in studying the area you're most interested in teaching, and it's normally these courses which come with generous funding opportunities. Work placements will play a key role in your initial teacher training, no matter which course you decide to study, providing you with the vital experience you'll need to go into your first teaching job.
Distance Learning
Our range of postgraduate distance learning courses in education is available in over 60 countries worldwide. Some of these courses fall within our provision of International Initial Teacher Training for those who are yet to achieve a teaching qualification, and some are Professional Development courses which are more suitable for teachers and other educators already established within their field.
Studying for your teaching or education degree via online distance learning allows you more flexibility, so is a great option for those you want to fit their studying in around existing work or family commitments. There will never be a need for you to come onto campus as all of the teaching, support and course materials will be delivered online, so all you need is good internet access. Find out more about the benefits of distance learning.
Post Compulsory Education and Training
If your career goals involve teaching in sixth forms or Further Education colleges, or if you want to go into vocational training or adult education, then one of our Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) courses could be the right fit for you.
The PGCE PCET is our full-time, one-year PCET degree for students who don't yet have any teaching experience, but we also offer other part-time PCET qualifications for those already in-service, as well as some part-time pre-service courses.
Hear more about the PGCE PCET course from one of our recent graduates.
Professional Development
The fourth area of study we offer in the School of Education is our provision of Professional Development courses. Unlike our teacher training programmes, these are post-qualifying masters degrees in Education which don't qualify you as a teacher.
These highly specific degrees are more beneficial for practising educators – whether that be within the classroom or outside of it. Many students on these courses are already well-established in their careers and want to take the next step with their development or enhance their job prospects. However, some of the courses may also be suitable for undergraduates with relevant experience in the sector.
Our Professional Development courses include MA Education, MA International Education, MA TESOL and MA SEND. Several of these courses are also available to study as a distance learning version. Read more about how an MA Education degree can help your career.