PGCE Education (DL)

The PGCE Education (DL) is an internationally recognised teaching qualification that allows you to study flexibly via distance learning from anywhere in the world. Designed for both primary and secondary educators across all subject areas, the course combines practical teaching strategies with applied theory to support your development as a confident, reflective practitioner. Delivered by expert academics, this course is ideal for teachers and education professionals working in international settings who are looking to advance their careers. It opens up opportunities for more senior roles in teaching, leadership, and educational management, and the skills you gain are also transferable to areas such as education policy and government. Two of the modules are research-focused and delivered at master's level, giving you a strong foundation for further postgraduate study. Successful completion provides a direct pathway to Stage 2 of our MA International Education or MA Education course – b

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, teaching in Language Centres, Learning Centres, or similar can't 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).

You'll also need to ensure that an appropriately qualified mentor is available in your placement school. You 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.

IELTS 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in each component) — standard University of Sunderland requirement (source: sunderland.ac.uk/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements)

International students: £19,000 per year

UK students: £9,250 per year

UK/Home: £9,250 per year

International: £19,000 per year

2026/27

No fixed deadline — apply at least 6 months before your start date via the University's direct application portal.

• Sunderland, United Kingdom