Programme Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Education from Coventry University’s National Institute of Teaching and Education (NITE) is designed for qualified teachers and education professionals who want to deepen their professional knowledge, strengthen their practice and develop specialist expertise while continuing to work. The programme is delivered entirely online and combines academic study with practical reflection on the learner’s professional experience. Students can choose from specialist pathways in Development of Expert Teaching, Mentoring in Education, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and Contemporary Issues in Global Education. The PGDip is completed part-time over four terms and provides a focused postgraduate qualification without requiring the final research project associated with the full MA.

As part of Coventry University Group, Coventry University is an established UK higher education institution, with degrees awarded by Coventry University. The programme is delivered through the National Institute of Teaching and Education (NITE), a leading provider of teacher education with an international focus. NITE's international teacher-training provision received a Grade 1—the highest possible rating—from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in relation to its International Qualified Teacher Status (iQTS) programme, while NITE is also accredited by the UK Department for Education to offer iQTS. For Caribbean teachers and education professionals, the PGDip is particularly attractive because it can be undertaken online from the Caribbean, allowing professionals to remain in employment while gaining an internationally recognised postgraduate qualification. Its practical orientation enables learners to apply their studies directly to their own educational settings, while the global education pathway addresses issues such as digital technology, sustainability, funding and innovation that are increasingly important to Caribbean education systems.

Entry Requirements

In order to gain entry to the course you must:

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent as assessed by UK ENIC) in any discipline.
You must also provide evidence of Initial Teacher Training, such as a BEd, BA/BSc with QTS, PgCE/ProfGCE, PGCE or PGDE.
Recognition of prior learning
Holders of a Level 6 Initial Teacher Training qualification will be exempt from the Philosophy for Education module.

Holders of a Level 7 Initial Teacher Training qualification will be exempt from the Philosophy for Education and Critical Reflection modules.

If you hold a National Professional Qualification (NPQ), you could be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning, dependent on the NPQ level and specialist pathway chosen. Please contact us for more information before applying.

Recognition of prior learning: Applicants holding a Level 6 Initial Teacher Training qualification may be exempt from the Philosophy for Education module, while holders of a Level 7 Initial Teacher Training qualification may be exempt from both Philosophy for Education and Critical Reflection. Applicants with a National Professional Qualification (NPQ) may also be eligible for recognition of prior learning, depending on the NPQ level and selected pathway.

Who is this course for?

The PGDip is particularly suitable for:

Qualified teachers seeking postgraduate professional development.
Primary and secondary school teachers looking to strengthen their teaching practice.
Education professionals seeking a higher-level qualification while remaining in employment.
School leaders and aspiring leaders who want to develop their professional knowledge.
Experienced teachers interested in mentoring and developing other educators.
Educators working with students with SEND who want to develop more inclusive practices.
Early-career teachers seeking to develop greater expertise in teaching and assessment.
Teachers and education professionals interested in global education, digital learning, sustainability and educational innovation.
Education professionals in international and Caribbean schools seeking an internationally oriented postgraduate qualification.
Teachers considering progression to the full MA in Education.

Career Opportunities