Become a registered teacher in Hong Kong with our iPGCE
If you're looking for a qualification to help you become a registered teacher in Hong Kong then take a look at our International Postgraduate Certificate in Education (iPGCE).
Our iPGCE has been recognised by Hong Kong's Education Bureau (EDB)* and meets the required qualification standards set by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) enabling you to apply to become a registered teacher in Hong Kong.
What is the process to apply for teacher registration in Hong Kong?
To apply to become a registered teacher in Hong Kong, you may first be required to provide supporting evidence to the Education Bureau (EDB) on the academic standards of your educational qualifications.
An independent Qualifications Assessment** by HKCAAVQ will also assess the academic standards of your educational qualifications as well as whether your teacher training qualification(s) meet the required standard in Hong Kong.
There are five stages to the application process:
1. Preparation - All documents must be prepared in advance of your teacher registration application which will include your ID, graduation certificates, official transcripts, and documentary proof(s) of supervised teaching practice(s).
2. Submission - You'll need to create an account on QA i-Portal. This allows you to:
- Submit your qualifications assessment application form
- Upload your qualifications document
- Pay your assessment fee
- Track your application
3. Assessment - Upon receiving your application, HKCAAVQ will check and review your documents. HKCAAVQ will only start assessing your qualifications once all documents have been received and will email you after 7 days acknowledging receipt of your application and, if required, informing you of any further documentation they need. The assessment will take 15 days starting from the working day after you receive an email acknowledgment that they have received all your documents.
Additional guidance notes on the assessment can be found here.
4. Outcomes - HKCAAVQ will contact you once the assessment is completed via email (or telephone) and let you know if your application has been successful.
5. Review - Unsuccessful candidates can request a review of their application by HKCAAVQ. All applications for review must be made on the council’s Application Form for Review of Qualifications Assessment form within 30 days of receipt of the Report for Qualifications Assessment.
What is the iPGCE?
Our iPGCE is a fully online Master's level course provided in partnership with the University of East London (UEL) that will enable you to upskill and take the next step in your international teaching career. Focusing on the academic study of teaching and learning, it will help you to become an empowered, reflective practitioner who can critically engage with a wide range of education issues, and build upon your professional experience to link theory with research, policy and practice.
In Hong Kong, our iPGCE course includes additional help to prepare you for your teacher registration application including in-person visits, specialised tutor support and monitoring.
You'll undertake an additional ‘teaching practice’ module that will help you to evidence and demonstrate your capability to meet Hong Kong’s teacher standards, including being able to provide evidence of:
- Up to 15 lesson observations throughout the year
- 15 mentor meetings with your in-school mentor
- At least 100 hours of face-to-face teaching
- Two visits from a Tes and UEL-approved assessor
How much is the iPGCE?
For learners in Hong Kong our iPGCE course costs £5,600 plus VAT (where applicable). The programme fee must be paid in full prior to formal enrolment.
When can I start my iPGCE course?
We have three start dates per year for our iPGCE course, in January, April and September. You can find out more about our iPGCE, see the application deadlines and apply on our iPGCE course page.
Whether you're aiming to gain a formal teaching qualification or to develop your academic knowledge to become a more advanced practitioner, our iPGCE can help you to get there.
If you’re a school leader in Hong Kong, you can find out about our courses to upskill your international school staff on our teacher training and development page.
* The EDB course registration number for this iPGCE course is 252988. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead.
** The assessment will assess whether the totality of an applicants' educational qualifications meets the standard of qualifications in Hong Kong.