Should I do a PGCE or a Masters in Education?

If you’re considering a postgraduate course in Education, there are a surprising number of options available! Two of the most common are the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and a Masters in Education. We’ve explained how these two qualifications differ, and how to pick the right one for you.

What is a PGCE?

A PGCE is the main route to qualifying as a teacher in the UK. Studying a PGCE will usually give you Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), making you eligible to teach in the UK and in many other countries. You’ll learn through a combination of educational theory and practical teaching experience in the form of school placements.

There are a range of PGCEs available depending on which level you want to teach at. PGCEs for aspiring primary school teachers will generally cover a core curriculum across all major subject areas, whereas those focused on secondary-level education will be centred on a specific discipline.

Importantly, PGCEs are not full Masters degrees. They are only worth 60 of the 180 credits required for a Masters. However, many universities will allow you to use the credits from a PGCE towards a Masters later.

Funding for PGCEs works differently to funding for most other postgraduate qualifications. You can apply for a tuition fee and maintenance loan for your PGCE through the undergraduate student finance system. The UK government also offers bursaries of up to £27,000 for aspiring teachers who already have a Masters or PhD in certain in-demand subjects.

What is a Masters in Education?

There are several types of Masters degrees in Education. Two popular ones are a Master of Arts (MA) in Education, and a professional Masters in Education, abbreviated to MEd.

An MA in Education will have a strong research focus, often grounded in various educational theories and the influence of social, economic and political factors on schooling and educational outcomes. A MEd is designed to help students improve their professional practice, meaning it will have a stronger focus on practical skills.

A Masters in Education will generally take one year to complete full-time or two years to complete part-time, which is the same amount of time as a PGCE.

Which one is right for me?

The critical thing to know here is that while a Masters in Education is worth more credits than a PGCE, and will generally give you a deeper understanding of educational theory and practice, it will not necessarily lead to Qualified Teacher Status by itself. This is because many of these courses are designed for students who are already qualified teachers and looking to improve their professional practice, or work at a higher education level or within a specialised institution.

There may be some exceptions to this, but generally speaking, if you don’t have any teaching qualifications and are aiming for a career in the classroom, then a PGCE or other postgraduate teacher training course will be the best option – remember, you may be able to use your PGCE credits towards a full Masters further down the line!

On the other hand, if you’re a qualified teacher who is interested in professional development or in advancing to a more senior position, then a Masters in Education could be ideal for you. This option could also be useful for those who are interested in non-teaching roles in areas such as educational administration, consultancy or policy.

You may also like...