Introduction
Enhance your teaching practice – 100% online PGCE .
Find out more about our online PGCE course at one of our Q&A webinars on Friday 11 July. Book your place for the 1pm or 5pm session via Eventbrite.
The flexible Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is designed for teachers working with school-aged children in the UK or internationally. It enables you to improve your classroom skills and professional development while studying around your existing commitments.
- 100% online study for maximum flexibility
- Taught by expert educators with real classroom experience
- Designed to support your continuing professional development (CPD)
- Provides credits that can count toward a master's degree
This PGCE qualification is ideal for teachers currently working in schools, whether in the UK or abroad. It suits both early career and experienced educators who want to grow professionally without pursuing Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Please note, this is an academic qualification and does not lead to QTS.
Throughout the course, you will apply educational theory to your everyday teaching and reflect on your practice to improve student outcomes. You will develop effective learning resources, explore a specialist area of interest, and take part in a teaching observation in your current school, supported by a mentor or school leader.
Course options
Key facts
Entry Requirements
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Fees and Paying for University
Facilities
Outstanding student support
Students on our distance learning PGCE degree course can benefit from:
- varied, interactive and engaging course content and activities through Canvas, our online learning management system
- a personal tutor to help you build your skills and confidence
- careers advice, help and resources from our Employability Service
- the flexibility to study around your other commitments, whenever and wherever you like.
Lecturers
Steve Connolly
Associate Professor
Careers
The PGCE is an internationally recognised postgraduate qualification that enhances your professional credibility and supports your career growth across a variety of educational contexts. Although it does not qualify you to teach in UK state schools requiring QTS or in overseas schools with specific requirements, it is highly regarded for roles in independent schools, academies, free schools, international schools, and special or alternative education settings.
Graduates of the PGCE may pursue roles such as Early Years Teacher, Primary or Secondary School Teacher, Sixth Form or Further Education Teacher, International Teacher, SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Teacher, Head of Year or Department, or School Leader.
You will develop critical thinking and reflective practice, enhance your communication and collaboration abilities, gain confidence in planning your professional development, and strengthen your classroom management and use of resources.
Graduation doesn’t have to be the end of your time with us. Our PGCE will help you frame your own professional pathway and consider further postgraduate study to support this. You could continue your studies on one of our full MA Education degrees using credit gained on this course course to further specialise in leadership and management, SEND, or Montessori settings. If you’re interested in further research, you could then go on to take a doctoral degree such as our School of Education PhD or Professional Doctorate in Education. By taking advantage of our Alumni Scholarship you can save money on your fees.
While you’re studying here, and after you graduate, you can access support through our dedicated our dedicated Employability Service.
The PGCE helped Rachel develop her reflective skills, which enabled her to improve her practice and become a more effective classroom teacher. These skills were valuable in job interviews when she was asked to reflect on her teaching.
Read Rachel's case study, "How the PGCE helped me develop my reflection skills"Want to talk to someone?
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We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.
Benefits of postgraduate study
Improve your employability, progress in your career, and take on an intellectual challenge with our flexible postgraduate degrees.
Postgraduate study at ARU
Boost your career
Distance learning courses are a great way to study for a full degree around your existing commitments, while learning more about a subject or developing your professional knowledge.