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Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching Studies

Start date
September
Course Type
Postgraduate, Taught
Fees
For 2024-2025
£3,510 (UK)
£8,040 (International)

Do you have at least 60 masters level credits from Initial Teacher Education programme? Unsure what to do next but keen to make use of the credits, engage in professional development, and perhaps progress to a Masters?

Consider the part time PGDip Teaching Studies course at the University of Birmingham which provides a distinctive, research and practice focused programme to develop your educational based knowledge, understanding and skills.  

  • Successful completion will allow you to progress onto the MA in Teaching Studies 
  • The modules will be delivered through a blended learning format which includes a combination of online and distance learning, and face-to-face sessions. 
  • Assignments can be tailored by you to suit your particular interests and career and professional development needs 

The three modules on the PGDip Teaching Studies programme will allow you to identify and investigate aspects of professional practice as qualified teachers with the aim of improving that practice. The course normally runs as a one year programme and commences in September and ends in July.

The School of Education also offers a number of specialised Professional Development programmes which will enable you to further develop your career.

Modules

The modules are undertaken in succession.

Term 1

Learning, teaching and research

This module will create an opportunity for you to investigate and research your teaching in relation to numerous issues.  For instance, (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list) behaviour management; motivation; being a class teacher in a primary school; being a form tutor in a secondary school; working in a special school; working in an educational setting; working in an international setting; rewards and sanctions; mixed ability classes; set/streamed/banded classes; more/less able learners; older/younger learners.

Term 2

Curriculum development and research

The curriculum development and research module will allow you to identify and investigate an aspect of your professional practice as a qualified teacher with the aim of improving that practice. The focus for this module will normally be your work as a subject teacher in an educational setting and the development of curriculum and how you create lessons and other opportunities for your learners to learn the subject most effectively.

Term 3

Team work and mentoring

The Team work and mentoring module will allow you to identify and investigate an aspect of your professional practice as a qualified teacher with the aim of improving that practice.

The focus for this module will normally be your work with other staff in your school and how you contribute to overall school improvement as a member of the school staff.

Progression

Students who successfully complete the PGDip Teaching Studies can apply to the MA Teaching Studies which is an opportunity for you to develop in-depth understanding of an educational topic of personal and/or professional interest. The dissertation research culminates in a formal, written report of an original investigation.

Fees

Fees 2024-2025

£3,510 (UK)
£8,040 (International)

Fees can be paid making a single payment; applying to pay in instalments by Direct Debit; or by providing sponsor details as part of the registration process. 

How To Apply

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

You must hold 60 credits towards Masters Study. Additionally, you must:

  • receive a satisfactory reference from an academic and/ or professional person who can comment on their academic learning and/ or professional practice in learning and teaching.
  • provide a personal statement that clearly explains a rationale for wanting to complete an MA where learning and teaching is the focus.
  • provide evidence (via their previous qualification(s), personal statement and/ or reference) that earlier study contributing the 60 credits (above) was in an area relevant to learning and teaching practice.

International Requirements


The modules on the PGDip Teaching Studies programme will be delivered through a blended learning format which includes a combination of online and distance learning, and face-to-face sessions. Content includes research methods and research ethics, which support the development of research-based knowledge, understanding and skills and equip students to undertake research in practice. 

Each module has a 4000-word assignment and includes the integration of research, policy, review and professional practice. Assignments can be tailoredby you to suit your particular interests and career and professional development needs, depending on your setting, phase, specialism, role and experience. 

PGDip Teaching Studies graduates can progress onto the MA Teaching Studies programme. Continuing professional development aids teachers’ prospects for promotion.