Are you interested in pursuing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) degree in England? Do you want to become a qualified teacher and teach in-demand subjects in English schools? If yes, then you might be wondering how to fund your studies and get a visa to study in the UK.
Don’t worry, we have some good news for you. There are various funding options and visa scholarships available for international students who want to study a PGCE degree in England. In this blog post, we will explain what these options are and how you can apply for them.
What is a PGCE degree?
A PGCE degree is a one-year postgraduate course that prepares you to teach in primary or secondary schools in England. It combines academic study with practical teaching experience in schools. You will learn about the curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and classroom management skills. You will also gain qualified teacher status (QTS), which is required to teach in state-funded schools in England.
A PGCE degree is not the only way to become a teacher in the UK, but it is one of the most popular and widely recognised routes. You can choose to specialise in a subject area that matches your undergraduate degree or your interests. Some of the subjects that are in high demand are:
- Chemistry
- Maths
- Physics
- Computing
- Biology
- Classics
- Languages
How much does a PGCE degree cost?
The tuition fees for a PGCE degree vary depending on the university and the subject you choose. For the academic year 2022/23, the fees range from £9,250 to £12,500 for UK and EU students, and from £14,000 to £20,000 for international students.
However, you don’t have to pay the full amount upfront. There are various funding options and visa scholarships available for international students who want to study a PGCE degree in England. Let’s take a look at some of them.
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What are the funding options and visa scholarships for PGCE degree?
PGCE bursaries
PGCE bursaries are tax-free amounts of money that you receive from the UK government to train in certain subjects that are in high demand in English schools. The amount of the bursary depends on your subject and your degree classification. For example, if you have at least a 2:2 (or a Masters/PhD) and you want to teach chemistry, maths, physics or computing, you can receive a bursary of £24,000. If you want to teach biology, classics or languages, you can receive a bursary of between £7,000 and £10,000.
To be eligible for a PGCE bursary, you need to meet the following criteria:
- You are a UK national or an international student with settled status or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
- You are enrolled on a fee-based postgraduate teacher training programme that leads to QTS in England.
- You have a university degree (UK or non-UK) that is equivalent to at least a 2:2 (or a Masters/PhD) in the subject you want to teach.
You don’t need to apply for a PGCE bursary separately. Your teacher training provider will automatically start paying you the bursary once you start the course. The bursary will be paid in 10 equal monthly instalments from October to July.
For more information on PGCE bursaries and eligibility, please visit Get Into Teaching, the UK government’s website on teacher training finance.
PGCE scholarships
PGCE scholarships are prestigious awards that are offered by professional bodies in partnership with the UK government. They are available for graduates who have at least a 2:1 (or a Masters/PhD) and want to teach chemistry, maths, physics or computing. The amount of the scholarship is £26,000.
To be eligible for a PGCE scholarship, you need to meet the following criteria:
- You are a UK national or an international student with settled status or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
- You are enrolled on a fee-based postgraduate teacher training programme that leads to QTS in England.
- You have a university degree (UK or non-UK) that is equivalent to at least a 2:1 (or a Masters/PhD) in the subject you want to teach.
- You have passed the professional skills tests in numeracy and literacy.
- You demonstrate exceptional subject knowledge and enthusiasm for teaching.
You need to apply for a PGCE scholarship directly with the relevant professional body. The application process may include an online application form, a written test and an interview. You can only apply for one scholarship at a time. If you are successful, you will receive the scholarship instead of the bursary. If you are unsuccessful, you may still be eligible for the bursary.
The professional bodies that offer PGCE scholarships are:
For more information on PGCE scholarships and how to apply, please visit the websites of the professional bodies.
Student loans
Student loans are another option to fund your PGCE degree. You can apply for a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan from Student Finance England. The tuition fee loan covers the full cost of your course fees, while the maintenance loan helps with your living costs. The amount of the maintenance loan depends on your household income, where you live and where you study.
To be eligible for a student loan, you need to meet the following criteria:
- You are a UK national or an international student with settled status or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
- You are enrolled on a fee-based postgraduate teacher training programme that leads to QTS in England.
- You have not already received a student loan for a postgraduate course in education.
You need to apply for a student loan online through Student Finance England. You can apply up to nine months after the start of the academic year. You will need to provide evidence of your identity, nationality and income.
You don’t need to repay your student loan until you finish or leave your course and earn over a certain amount. The amount you repay each month depends on your income, not on how much you borrowed. The interest rate on your loan is based on inflation and your income.
For more information on student loans and how to apply, please visit Student Finance England.
Other sources of funding
There may be other sources of funding available for international students who want to study a PGCE degree in England. For example, you may be eligible for:
- A scholarship or grant from your home country or an international organisation.
- A discount or waiver from your teacher training provider.
- A part-time job or freelance work while you study.
You can use online databases such as FindAMasters or ScholarshipPortal to search for funding opportunities that match your profile and preferences. You can also contact your teacher training provider or the British Council in your country for advice and guidance.
How do I get a visa to study a PGCE degree in England?
To study a PGCE degree in England, you will need a Student visa. This is a type of visa that allows you to study in the UK for up to six years. You can apply for a Student visa up to six months before the start of your course.
To be eligible for a Student visa, you need to meet the following criteria:
You have been offered a place on a PGCE course that leads to QTS in England by an approved teacher training provider.
You have enough money to pay for your course fees and living costs for the duration of your stay.
You can speak, read, write and understand English at level B2 (upper-intermediate) or above.
You have a valid passport and tuberculosis test result (if required).
You need to apply for a Student visa online through UK Visas and Immigration. You will need to provide evidence of your identity, nationality, education, finances and English language ability. You will also need to pay an application fee and an immigration health surcharge.
You may need to attend an appointment at a visa application centre in your country to submit your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph). You may also need to attend an interview with a UK immigration officer.
You will usually get a decision on your visa application within three weeks. If your application is successful, you will receive a vignette (sticker) in your passport that allows you to enter the UK. You will also receive a confirmation email with details of how to collect your biometric residence permit (BRP) when you arrive in the UK.
For more information on Student visas and how to apply, please visit UK Visas and Immigration.
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