Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) without QTS

Postgraduate certificate without QTS

Develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to enhance your teaching practice with our flexible online PGCE without Qualified Teacher Status. Benefit from 100% online learning that allows you to study alongside your existing commitments.

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Key facts about your online degree

How you'll study

This course is studied 100% online

Application deadline

Our next deadline is 27th May 2026

Course length

Study this course over 1 year

Fees: £2,200

Payment plans available

Start dates

Start in January or September

Thinking about our online PGCE without QTS?

Join one of our free Q&A webinars and find out everything you need to know.

14 May 2026 at 1pm - 2pm
16 July 2026 at 5pm - 6pm

Course overview

Our online Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) without QTS is designed for teachers working with school‑aged children in the UK or overseas who want to improve their professional practice through online study.

Suitable for early career teachers as well as experienced practitioners seeking a formal qualification, it helps you develop new skills, deepen your understanding of educational practice and make a meaningful impact in your workplace. The course includes a compulsory teaching observation in your educational setting, supported by a school mentor or leader.

You will explore current educational theories, policy and practice in England, develop learning resources for children, and use critical reflection and feedback to refine your classroom approach. Collaboration with peers helps you build your professional network, and the course supports progression to further postgraduate study, with credit towards master’s degrees.

This academic qualification does not award Qualified Teacher Status, and you should check local requirements if you intend to teach overseas. The flexibility of online pgce study allows you to develop your expertise around your existing commitments.

Why choose this course?

Study with a work‑based approach that supports practical impact in your school
Develop specialist expertise in an area of teaching and learning that interests you
Enhance your Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Strengthen your effectiveness as a practitioner
Learn from experienced academic practitioners and university staff with a wealth of experience in school teaching and leadership, as well as teacher education
Benefit from flexible 100% online learning

What you’ll gain

Deeper understanding of educational theory and its impact on teaching practice
Skills to create appropriate learning resources for children
Improved ability to analyse, reflect and evaluate your classroom practice
Experience in professional enquiry within a chosen area of teaching
Confidence in applying new knowledge directly to day‑to‑day teaching
A foundation for further postgraduate study with credit towards master’s degrees

Next application deadline: 27th May 2026

Apply now

Course modules and assessments

Modules

The Reflective Practitioner

Enhance your knowledge and skills within your teaching practice and complement your professional development as part of your career in teaching. Examine current theoretical perspectives related to the reflective practitioner discourse and make comparisons to the competences discourse in teaching as well as current national agendas within teacher education in England.

You’ll critically reflect on your own teaching skills and examine the skills needed for successful reflection, then use this to identify areas for self-improvement. You’ll identify critical incidents in teaching children and their learning, considering how these influence pedagogical approaches. You’ll appreciate how professional feedback through observations supports on-going development as a teacher as well as how to create appropriate learning resources to enhance children’s learning. You’ll be expected to draw on your own professional experiences to support your development of linking theory to practice and demonstrate how you have critically applied your knowledge and understanding to your professional role.

Professional Evidenced-based Enquiry

In this module you’ll develop specialist expertise in an area of interest relating to teaching and learning. The notion of enquiry is intended to reflect the contributions you bring to advanced study from your professional teaching. You’ll pursue individual enquiries into a subject area which is directly linked to professional teaching and learning experiences. The use of enquiry is based on a social constructivist approach to learning, which reflects a belief that our thoughts about the world and our ways of knowing are developed through our shared perceptions of it. Central to this is the use of critical thinking which underpins reflective learning. You’ll have the opportunity to engage in professional enquiry which will predominantly be work-based; the aim is to develop a deep understanding of factors which shape ways of thinking, working, and learning in Primary and Secondary educational settings.

Modules are subject to change and availability.

How you’ll be assessed

We’ll assess you through a patchwork text (a composite of short, reflective pieces about your professional experiences over time), and an enquiry-based project linked to your own professional setting.

How you'll study

100% Online study

Dedicated support

Study online and graduate on campus

Our Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) without QTS is studied 100% online.

You’ll study through Canvas, our world-class online Learning Management System (LMS), which can be accessed from your phone, PC or tablet, both at home or on the move. Canvas provides instant access to study materials, forums, and support from tutors and classmates, as well as enabling easy submission of your assignments.

Please note this course includes some live webinars, these are not compulsory, but it is recommended that you attend if you can.

On successful completion of your studies, you’ll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony on campus. If attending the ceremony in person is not possible then we’ll arrange to have your certificate sent to you.

Entry requirements

What you’ll need to start this course

You must hold an undergraduate degree or UK equivalent

Hold GCSEs in English, Mathematics and a Science at grade 4 or above (or demonstrate qualifications at an equivalent level)

Be able to demonstrate that you regularly undertake teaching practice either as a full or part-time employed serving teacher in a school.

If English is not your first language, you will be expected/asked to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

As a distance learner, you’ll also need a suitable computer with internet connection, together with sufficient IT competence to make effective use of word processing, internet, and email.

Please note: Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course, please contact us for further information.

Fees and Funding

Fees

The full tuition fee for this PGCE online course is £2,200.

The tuition fees you pay each year for the full Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) without QTS will be £2,200. The course is studied over 1 year.

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) may reduce the tuition fees. This will be confirmed once your application has been submitted.

Funding

We offer payment by instalments, so you can spread the cost of studying with us.

For military students: You can use your ELCs towards this course. ARU is a recognised ELCAS provider (number 1007). Please contact your Learning Centre for details of ELC, eligibility and how to apply.

For more information on how you fund your studies please see our funding page.

What our students say

Meet Early Childhood Studies Student Jess

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Teaching without borders: Jonathan’s PGCE journey

Discover how Jonathan's passion for education and global teaching ambitions led him to study online with ARU. Learn how the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (without QTS) helped him unlock career progression, meet visa requirements, and elevate his classroom impact, all while working full-time in China.

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From research to the classroom: Syeda’s new calling

Syeda’s passion for teaching emerged unexpectedly. Now with ARU's online PGCE, she’s embracing her role as an educator. Discover how this course is helping her enhance her teaching skills, grow in confidence, and formalise her transition into a fulfilling new career.

Awards and recognition

Be part of the University of the Year

We're proud to be the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year 2023. The prestigious THE awards honour ’exceptional performance during the 2021-22 academic year, and reflect ARU’s success in delivering high-impact projects during this period, despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The award recognises the difference we make in the region and our communities – while also acknowledging the broader impact of our world-leading research, and the contributions our students and graduates make to society.

Supported distance learning

We understand that distance learning is different to traditional campus study and if you’re new to online study you may have concerns or apprehensions about studying your PGCEonline, and that’s natural.

To help put your mind at ease we have a dedicated Distance Learning Support Team to help and support you throughout your time at ARU, starting with your first online induction and staying with you right through to graduation. In addition, you’ll also be supported by specialist online PGCE tutors, well experienced in supporting distance learning students.

Once you start your PGCE online course, we encourage the creation of online communities and many of our learners find these connections with others invaluable, helping them to stay motivated, share concerns or make new friendships.

Visit our support page to learn more about our support services.

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Careers

Everything you need to know about building your career in education

What is the PGCE without QTS and who's it for?

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education without QTS is an internationally recognised academic award made up of 60 FHEQ credits at master’s level. The course draws on educational theory, research, and professional enquiry to guide reflection on your existing practice. To study our PGCE without QTS you need to be working in an educational setting for school aged children.

This could be in a state school or independent schools, in the UK or internationally. You could be an experienced practitioner or an early career teacher. The course is not specific to any age or stage of education and does not have any specific subject specialisation. The focus on reflective practice and professional enquiry allows you to tailor your studies to your context and needs. Ultimately, the PGCE aims to improve your practice and make you a better teacher.

What job roles can I consider with a PGCE online?

Having a PGCE without QTS can support your career aspirations in several ways. It can help with securing leadership roles, specialist roles, or positions within international, independent, or private schools. This PGCE course does not qualify you to teach in the UK. You’ll need to check the qualification requirements of the teaching role you’re interested in, to understand how this course may support your professional advancement and to ensure it meets your needs.

What skills will I get from a PGCE online to help my career?

Choosing to study a PGCE will give you many transferable skills; here are just some of them:

Develop your capacity for critical reflection in relation to current research and established pedagogic strategies.
Develop your effectiveness in selecting, evaluating, and designing learning resources.
Be able to confidently identify and form clear plans to achieve personal and professional development goals.
Improve your communication skills for professional practice.

What can I study after a PGCE online?

Careers Advice Service

Once you become an ARU student you will be able to access our Employability service to help you whatever stage of your career, whether that’s landing your dream job or the next progression step.

We offer:

careers advice, including one-to-one online and telephone appointments with our experienced advisers
help with your CV, job searches, applications, and interview preparation
an online portal packed with useful careers resources
our Employability Programme, which helps you hone the skills employers say they want in graduates.

FAQs

A selection of popular questions

Why should I study an online PGCE course with ARU?

If you've completed a teacher training course already, and want to further your expertise through distance learning whilst working on your career as a teacher, studying a PGCE without QTS with ARU is the perfect solution.

Studying online gives you the flexibility to continue to expand and develop your career progression in a working environment without the restrictions of on campus study. Whether you have aspirations for working in an international school, or tackling contemporary issues faced in schooling today, the PGCE without QTS will enable you to further explore topics and core modules you will have first examined as trainee teachers.

Completing the course can form excellent groundwork to further studies like an internationally recognised teaching qualification to enable you to travel far and wide after successful completion of your studies.

Which opportunities could I gain for my teaching practice following this PGCE online course?

Although you became a qualified teacher during your previous teacher training course, online PGCE courses without QTS can help you to explore other topics through written assignments and reflection to enable you to continually improve and build on the experience you started as trainee teachers.

Common opportunities after completing the course include progression into academic management, a venture into pastoral leadership and leadership of subject studies. The course will enable you to build your growing confidence as a teacher and continue your professional development.

Take the next step, apply today

Next application deadline: 27th May 2026

Your future, on your terms. Apply now before the application deadline.

Apply now