Program Overview

PG Dip Education

Introduction

Whether you are new to teaching or are an experienced teacher working in an Early Years, Primary or Secondary setting, our PG Dip in Education offers the opportunity to develop and enhance your professional skills and understanding of contemporary Education.

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Hear from our students about their experiences of distance learning.

Whatever school setting you work in, studying for a PG Dip in Education will have a highly valuable impact on your continuing professional development. Through reflective practice and evidence-based enquiry into your own practice, you’ll develop your professional knowledge and gain in-depth understanding of key issues relating to contemporary education, supporting you to meet professional performance goals.

With content relating to policy and practice in schools, reflecting contemporary theories, this course provides scope for fully exploring key pedagogic issues in schools and refining personal professional practice.

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You’ll be fully supported by our team of experts in teaching and Education to enquire into areas of your own pedagogic practice which are of particular interest to you. Our PGDip offers scope to reflect on the new theories you’ll learn and how they link to your every-day practice. You’ll also consider the impact of practice on pupils’ learning and development within your own setting. Studying alongside teachers working in different settings and contexts will also enrich your experiences on this course.

Our PG Dip supports you to develop academic skills for Master’s level study and provides opportunities to progress to a full Master’s degree in Education. We appreciate that you will be working teachers. Our course offers maximum flexibility to fit around your working commitments and is delivered by distance learning using our virtual learning environment, allowing you to study from anywhere.

Our PGDip is available to those who hold a PGCE already or those yet to study at postgraduate level.

Course options

• 1 year - for those with a PGCE
• 2 years - for those without a PGCE
• January - start date
• Distance learning - location

Key facts

• STUDY OPTIONS: 1 year - for those with a PGCE
• START DATES: January
• LOCATION: Distance learning
• FEES: £2,866 Distance learning students starting 2025/26 (part-time, per year)

Teaching and assessment

1 year part-time

• Year 1
  • The Evidence-Based Practitioner
  • Specialist Studies in Learning and Teaching

Modules are subject to change and availability.

Core modules

• The Evidence-Based Practitioner
• Specialist Studies in Learning and Teaching

Entry Requirements

• Hold an undergraduate degree or UK equivalent
• GCSE in English and Mathematics at grade 4 or above (or demonstrate qualifications at an equivalent level)
• IELTS score of 6 or higher (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University
• Must demonstrate they regularly undertake teaching practice either as a full or part time employed serving teacher in a Primary or Secondary school or are undertaking Initial Teacher Training
• Must be supported by their employer or ITT provider to use evidence from their practice on this course (e.g. observation feedback)

Fees and Paying for University

Tuition fees for distance learning students (2025/26)

• £2,866 Distance learning students starting 2025/26 (part-time, per year)

ARU graduates may be eligible for an Alumni Scholarship and get a 20% fee discount.

Facilities and accreditation

• Outstanding student support
• studying on a course that reflects the requirements of the Early Career Framework and provides the opportunity to progress to an MA in Education
• varied, interactive and engaging course content and activities through Canvas, our Learning Management System (LMS)
• a personal tutor to help you build your skills and confidence
• careers advice, help and resources from our Employability Service
• the flexibility to study around your other commitments, whenever and wherever you like

Careers

The PG Dip is directly related to employment as a teacher in an Early Years, Primary or Secondary education setting.

It is widely recognised within the teaching profession as an additional academic qualification and provides a progression route from a PGCE qualification. At the end of the course, you’ll have achieved 120 credits at level 7 which could be used towards further postgraduate studies, such as MA Education. You’ll develop and refine expertise in an aspect of personal professional practice which will support you to advance in terms of your career progression.