iPGCE

If you’re teaching in an international school and want to improve your classroom practice, develop your pedagogy and gain a postgraduate qualification at Master’s level (60 UK level 7 credits – equivalent to one-third of a full Master’s degree), our iPGCE could be ideal for you. 

Delivered in partnership with the University of East London (UEL), this online course helps you become a reflective and empowered practitioner.

Our iPGCE course will help you to: 

• critically engage with a wide range of education issues from a multidisciplinary subject/phase perspective 
• develop models of good evidence-based practice by drawing on a range of literature and comparing your own teaching practice to existing good practice models 
• build upon your professional experience to link theory with research, policy and practice in international education and development

Why choose the iPGCE?

The iPGCE gives you a highly regarded postgraduate qualification at Master’s level, worth 60 UK Level 7 credits. Designed for educators working in international settings, it can help you progress your career, strengthen your professional profile and build a strong foundation for further academic study. It also shows your commitment to excellent classroom practice, reflective teaching and ongoing professional growth.

The iPGCE is an excellent choice if you want to:

• Access career opportunities in schools around the world
• Demonstrate advanced pedagogical knowledge to support progression into middle or senior leadership
• Strengthen your professional profile with a respected postgraduate qualification
• Show your commitment to high-quality teaching and ongoing professional development
• Build confidence for further study, such as an MA or NPQ

Learn from experts

Throughout the course, you’ll be supported by an experienced iPGCE pathway tutor who understands the realities of teaching in international school settings. Your tutor will guide you through each module, help you engage with academic reading and assignment tasks, and support you to connect theory with your own classroom practice.

Alongside your in-school mentor, they will help you build confidence, deepen your reflection and make steady progress throughout the course.

Awarded by the University of East London

Successful completion of the iPGCE leads to the award of the International Postgraduate Certificate in Education by the University of East London (UEL). UEL is a careers-first university with more than 125 years of history and a strong focus on inclusion, innovation and real-world impact.

It has been recognised as University of the Year for Teaching Quality in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

For teachers, this means studying towards a qualification awarded by an established UK university with a strong academic reputation and a clear commitment to preparing learners for future career success.

To join our iPGCE course you must:

• be working or volunteering in a school by the time you start your course
• teach a whole class or large group of 8 pupils or more for a minimum of 4 hours per week for the duration of your course
• be teaching in the age phase that matches your iPGCE route
• have the full support of your school for the entirety of the course, with a suitable in-school mentor in place
• hold a Bachelor’s degree awarded by a UK university or a recognised international qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s degree
• if English is not your first language, you must achieve IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, with no less than 6.0 in any element
• have day-to-day access to a computer, the internet and a classroom context

International school requirements

The school must:

• agree to fully support the learner throughout the course
• verify the applicant’s compliance documents
• provide a suitable in-school mentor

Our iPGCE course is delivered through our online platform, Tes Learn. This means that you can study in-country wherever you are, as well as accessing face-to-face support from your in-school mentor and iPGCE pathway tutor.

Provided in partnership with UEL, the course consists of two core modules:

• Developing effective subject knowledge and pedagogy
• Investigating strategies for raising pupil learning and achievement

You will complete classroom-based research and submit two 4,500-word Master’s level assignments, one for each module.

The course blends online academic study with classroom practice and draws on decades of practical teaching expertise and higher education provision.

Successful completion of your course will lead to the award of the International Postgraduate Certificate in Education by UEL.

The iPGCE is age phase specific and currently available in:

• early years foundation stage (EYFS)
• primary
• secondary
• special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

We do not offer subject-specific iPGCE routes. You can teach any subject as long as the age phase you teach matches your iPGCE route.

As a reminder, the Tes Institute iPGCE does not lead to the award of qualified teacher status (QTS).

Our Masters, iPGCE and PGCE programmes are validated by the University of East London (UEL). Their academic policies can be found here: https://www.uel.ac.uk/about/governance/student-policies

Alison Lawton

After beginning my primary teaching career in the UK, I moved to Dubai, UAE, where I worked as a teacher and consultant for 10 years. While in Dubai, I completed an MA in Education. I began working for Tes Institute in 2018 as an iPGCE, AO and S2T pathway tutor and QTS assessor. I found it incredibly rewarding visiting teachers across the UAE and supporting educators internationally as they studied online.

On my return to the UK in 2021, I was appointed as SKE Deputy Director and enjoyed working with teachers as they enhanced their subject knowledge.

Now in the role of iPGCE Head of Programme, I enjoy supporting students located across the world as they strive to delve deeper into educational practice and theory, develop their criticality and become highly skilled and reflective practitioners. In all of the work that I do, I think back to my own teacher training and endeavour to provide a robust structure of support for students as well as nurturing them as they enhance their professional practice. Read more.

The tuition fees for our iPGCE course are £3,950 plus VAT (as applicable).

The course is self-funded.

The application deadline is 5pm BST/GMT on the dates listed below. 

The course runs across an academic year, and we offer three start dates each year in September, January and April.