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PGCert/PGDip School Direct

On the School Direct route from University of Birmingham, the lead schools choose the provider they work with. The school then plays a key role in recruiting trainees and organising their school placements within the partnership. School Direct students join their schools at the start of the autumn term, for an extended period of induction.

Quick Facts

  
Full-Time Duration: 1 year
Starting in: TBA
Tuition Fee: £9,250 
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom

Why train with us?

The School of Education at the University of Birmingham has a long tradition of delivering ITE courses. Its teaching has been graded as ‘outstanding’ for the third consecutive time by Ofsted inspectors which reaffirms the University’s status as one of the UK’s leading institutions for excellence in teacher training.

The University of Birmingham partnership has worked to co-develop the programmes for School Direct and Apprenticeships. The quality of both the programmes and the newly qualified teachers that enter the profession as a result of it are critical to all partners involved.

Programme Structure:

  • Our primary and secondary courses are designed in conjunction with our partnership of schools, is founded on our long-standing expertise in teacher education and combines the phase, curriculum and learning and teaching expertise of specialist tutors and seconded teachers at the University with the expertise of school-based colleagues.
  • The course combines school based learning coordinated by the ‘Lead School’ with lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials and practical sessions at the University.
  • Study at the University is largely within the School of Education’s dedicated building which includes specialist facilities, student study areas and online learning support.

“The transition from undergrad to postgrad can be a big step up in terms of workload and what is expected of you, but there is so much support available to you as a postgrad student, from academic writing support (if you’ve been out of education for a few years or just want a bit of extra help) to mental health and wellbeing services. The careers support is fantastic – the uni puts on employer fairs throughout the year and you have access to one on one support from the Careers Network team, who can help you develop your skills ready for your next step!”

Emma Sutton // PhD Psychology

Careers

School Direct and aapprenticeship students studying with the University of Birmingham and its School Direct partner schools can expect to be highly employable. Success in finding first teaching posts for students on the University’s postgraduate programmes is very high – and substantially above national averages. In addition to this, teachers educated with University of Birmingham partnerships typically remain in the profession and build excellent careers in teaching with progression on to leadership and management roles in schools. A significant number who follow our postgraduate programmes take up the opportunity to complete Masters study at some point after their induction year, further enhancing their career development. Employability rates for University of Birmingham postgraduate trained teachers are among the highest in the country.

Many of those who have trained to teach with the University of Birmingham are now in headteacher, head of department and similar roles across the West Midlands, nationally and beyond – and many give up time and expertise to contribute to our programmes.

Requirements

All applicants to Intial Teacher Education programmes must hold a degree from a UK Higher Education Institution. 

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