Education (DL) PGCE

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Qualify as a teacher from anywhere in the world with this International Initial Teacher Training distance learning course in Education. Gain a globally recognised qualification. Expand your career possibilities.

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Overview

The PGCE Education Distance Learning (DL) degree at the University of Sunderland is an internationally recognised teaching qualification. This International Initial Teacher Training course blends applied teaching theory and practice in three taught modules and one extended teaching practice module. It has been developed so that it can be delivered to primary and secondary teachers, and to any subject specialism. It is a 36-week full-time course, completed in one academic year which can be undertaken both in the UK and in international settings via distance learning.

Two of the modules are research-based and at master's level, preparing you for further postgraduate study which will qualify you for progression to Stage 2 of our MA International Education or MA Education, both available as distance learning courses.

While this course does not provide a direct route to QTS, it can be used with our Assessment Only Route to QTS, if a candidate is suitably qualified and experienced.

Why us?

The University of Sunderland is at the forefront of International Initial Teacher Training and having developed the PGCE Education over 20 years ago in one country, we now operate across the world
Engage with leading teaching and learning principles in both theory and practice that parallels the on-campus PGCE provision
Graduate from a UK university which has been training teachers for over 100 years

The PGCE Education (DL) offers the opportunity to have guidance from expert tutors who have many years of experience as both teachers and academics; a combination that gives students a unique opportunity with which to explore and debate the complexities of education
Tutors make on-site quality assurance visits or use live streaming observation so you may have the opportunity to meet with them to discuss your ongoing professional development

Course structure

The PGCE Education (DL) degree is split into two semesters and has four core modules. There are two theory and practice of teaching modules, and two master's modules, which include a case study module and an action research module.

We use a wide variety of teaching methods with tasks including required reading, directed activities and self-assessments.

There are online discussion forums where trainees are invited to debate current issues relevant to the module content and, if you live close to other students on the course, we encourage you to form a study group.

The teaching practice is work-based and conducted entirely in a school that you have secured a placement at, or are currently working at. This is supported by a mentor and university staff.

We assess both the theoretical and practical elements of the course. Assessment is through written assignments, a profile of evidence of teaching standards and observed teaching.

Course modules

Emerging Professional Practice in Education (30 credits)

This module will give you the opportunity to begin to develop purposeful integration between subject knowledge, pedagogical, and theoretical knowledge content taught in both University sessions and in practical sessions in education settings. You'll also start to gain an understanding of the role, responsibilities, and requirements of the professional teacher.

Professional Practice in Education (30 credits)

Building on the Emerging Professional Practice module, you'll further develop and consolidate your understanding of the role, responsibilities, and requirements of the professional teacher, allowing you to put this into practice.

Development of Learning: A Case Study (30 credits)

In this module, you'll develop and understanding of the importance of the support mechanisms available to teachers in schools. You'll gain a critical understanding of a key educational theme applicable to your context and identify an appropriate approach and context on which to base a case study. You'll analyse the role played in individuals' learning by the teacher and teaching assistant within the context of the educational system, policies, and legislation. The module will finish with a piece of applied research appropriate to the situation identified for the case.

Negotiated Individual Study in Education (30 credits)

This module will give you the opportunity to structure and undertake a piece of independent academic study related to your professional development, encouraging you to engage in intellectual challenge and dialogue. You'll develop both general and specific knowledge and skills, relevant to your chosen project. You'll also identify and develop key skills to enhance your ability to transfer learning to further study and the workplace.

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

More about PGCE Education (DL) at Sunderland

Discover more articles

As a distance learning student, you'll be able to remotely access online journals, articles and e-books. Opportunities are also provided for continual online support and tutorials from both qualified librarians and your course tutor.

The library team offer real-time online help through ‘Live Chat’ at various periods throughout the day and they also offer online tutorials to help you make the most of our electronic resources.

To find out more information, visit our University Library website.
Library Services - distance learning

Facilities

This distance learning course can be studied from anywhere in the world. You'll need internet access to use our Virtual Learning Environment, where you will access specially designed learning materials, e-books, e-journals, relevant websites and multimedia.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

Qualification	Minimum grade
a bachelor's degree

If you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article.

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.

We require applicants to hold an honours degree or equivalent.

For those without a first degree studied in the medium of English, Academic IELTS is required. (A minimum Academic IELTS band score of 6.5, with 6.5 in writing, and no less than 6 in Reading and Speaking and Listening).

The PGCE Education (DL) course has two teaching placement blocks, one each semester. For many, these blocks will be conducted within your school of employment – though other trainees may need to find schools that will take them as volunteers. Please note that teaching in Language Centres, Learning Centres, or similar cannot be used to complete this course; teaching must take place in an international school, state school, or similar that follows a recognised curriculum.

This course requires teaching in either a primary or secondary school. If you wish to teach in early years (kindergarten), you'll need to apply for the PGCE Early Years Teaching (DL) course.

It's a requirement of the course that all teaching placement hours use English as the language of instruction to deliver whole-class teaching (not small groups, interventions, or one-to-one support).

The first block requires trainees to teach 11 hours per week for six weeks (66 hours in total) with the second block requiring trainees to teach 14 hours per week for six weeks (84 hours in total). You'll therefore need to source placements that allow you to teach 150 hours across both blocks. You'll also need to ensure that an appropriately qualified mentor is available in your placement school.

We require all trainees to ensure that their placement blocks are in alignment with the calendar for the year. For September intakes, the first placement block will usually take place in October to December with the second window usually between February to April. For February intakes, this is usually April to June and September to November.

Trainees can be made a conditional offer without a placement and mentor in place, but you'll need to provide details of your placement/s and mentor before you can formally take up an offer and begin the course.

Please note that securing a mentor and school is the responsibility of the trainee and not that of the University. With all four modules complete, you'll graduate with a PGCE. You may, however, take up to three years to fully complete and graduate, should this be necessary.

Advice on how to find a placement

Advice to applicants seeking a placement (.pdf)

PGCE Education (Distance Learning) FAQs

Observation of experienced teachers

Where possible, you should secure a reasonable number of teaching observations per week to support your work on the Subject Studies and Practice of Teaching modules. This can be in a school of your choice, and it's usually in the school where you'll undertake your placement.

Before applying

As part of your online application, you'll be asked to confirm you agree to the teaching requirements of the course.

You'll be asked to confirm contact details for your placement school, placement school head teacher and placement school mentor. Please note that, as indicated above, conditional offers to join the course will still be made if these details aren't available – though they must be in place before you can formally take a place on the course.

You must also provide us with a copy of your degree certificate. Please provide both original and English translation (if applicable). If your degree was awarded by a UK University, you'll be exempt from providing proof of English.

We accept the following as evidence of English language:

Transcript or certificate of your degree which clearly states you studied in the medium of instruction in English
Letter from your University clearly stating the medium of instruction to be English
Academic IELTS. If English isn't your first language, you need to send proof of Academic IELTS level 6.5 or equivalent (applicants whose first language is not English must achieve a minimum Academic IELTS band score of 6.5, with 6.5 in writing, and no less than 6 in Reading and Speaking and Listening).

Without the above documents, we'll be unable to make you an offer on this course.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

2025/26 fees:

The annual fee is £8,103.

A £250 deposit must be paid prior to the start of the course. This deposit is refundable up until the point of enrolment.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Student in the Sunderland Futures department

Career ready

This distance learning degree in Education is ideal for teachers and other people working within international education institutions who want to quickly progress their careers. It will qualify you for more senior positions in teaching and educational management in international schools.

The knowledge and skills you develop on the PGCE Education course will also transfer to many other sectors, particularly education policy and government.

Please note that this course does not award Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which you would normally need to teach in a state-maintained school in England.

Meet the students

Since studying on this course, I have taken some fantastic strides in my career.

Daniel Moxham
You're in safe hands with the tutors and they're very passionate about supporting you.

Feyi Bunmi Olatunji
The University is very open to feedback and that alone speaks volumes about how much they care.

Gemma Cauchi
I would definitely recommend this course to any new or experienced teachers.

Jenny Carley
It was the best decision I could have made for my future career in teaching!

Jodie Smith
I enjoyed the feeling of inclusion and citizenship amongst my peers, lecturers, and the University

Joseph Walaan
My journey has been a highly rewarding experience that has shaped me well for my future career.

Muskat Manwani
Each day on the course gives me the tools to become a better teacher.

Olena Puchko
The reflective nature of the course has meant that I’ve been able to refine my teaching strategies.

Richard Michael
I can feel the difference in my confidence levels as I teach pupils.

Sharice Nwankwo
I believe the course has made me a more effective and confident educator.

Simone Sgarbossa
Studying at the University of Sunderland has undoubtedly been the highlight of my teaching career.

Wael Mohassed

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Contact

Contact our TNE team for more information about this course: pgceeducation.tne@sunderland.ac.uk.

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Education and Society.

Page last updated: 08 April 2025

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.

Education (DL) PGCE

Overview

Why us?

Course structure

Course modules

Emerging Professional Practice in Education (30 credits)

Professional Practice in Education (30 credits)

Development of Learning: A Case Study (30 credits)

Negotiated Individual Study in Education (30 credits)

More about PGCE Education (DL) at Sunderland

PGCE vs QTS: What's the difference?

What is distance learning and what are the benefits?

Why study a postgraduate degree?

Facilities

Entry requirements

Advice on how to find a placement

Observation of experienced teachers

Before applying

Fees and finance

Career ready

Meet the students

Daniel Moxham

Feyi Bunmi Olatunji

Gemma Cauchi

Jenny Carley

Jodie Smith

Joseph Walaan

Muskat Manwani

Olena Puchko

Richard Michael

Sharice Nwankwo

Simone Sgarbossa

Wael Mohassed

Meet the team — PGCE Education (DL)

Related courses

Contact