Program Overview

PGCE iQTS Secondary Physical Education (11-16)

The PGCE iQTS Secondary Physical Education (11-16) is a postgraduate program designed to develop skills in teaching physical education to eleven- to sixteen-year-olds in international schools.

About

This program is open to applications for January 2026 entry and is suitable for candidates seeking to improve their fundamental teaching skills and employability overseas and in England. The award will offer an opportunity to start teacher training or develop an existing teaching career.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for this program, applicants must have:

• GCSE grade C/4 or above in Mathematics, or equivalent
• An undergraduate honours degree (2:2 or above) or a recognized equivalent qualification in any subject
• Robust prior knowledge, skills, and understanding of Physical Education appropriate to teaching ages 11-16
• A personal statement explaining why they want to do this course and what they hope to achieve once completed (minimum 250 words)
• International and EU applicants must have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in each component

Selection Process

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a 30-minute online interview on Microsoft Teams, which will include a short presentation and a subject or phase-related task.

Additional Criteria

Applicants must also:

• Have a UK DBS, local/overseas criminal record/police checks, or an International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC)
• Provide two satisfactory references received directly from the referees, relating to working with children
• Complete a Suitability Declaration with an embedded Health Check for Fitness to Teach

Structure

The program involves completing at least 120 days in teaching practice during the course and gaining experience of an alternative school. The modules studied are:

• Professional Studies
• Curriculum Inquiry
• International Practice

Learning and Teaching

The program is delivered online in English, through a series of live webinars and tutorials, recorded videos, and readings. There will be regular study tasks and group input tasks, and live teaching will be scheduled at different points in the day, depending on the time-zone.

Assessment

Assessment is based on a small number of professionally based portfolio assignments and a Viva Voce at the end of the final block school experience. All modules are compulsory, and applicants must pass all modules to gain the award of iQTS (PGCE).

Fees

The full-time course fees are:

• Home Award Fee: ｣7,850
• International Award Fee: ｣7,850 A 5% discount is available for Council of British International Schools (COBIS) members.

Features

The program includes:

• Placements: Applicants must work in a school with young people aged 11-16 or secure a role in a school abroad that's willing to support their iQTS
• Study facilities: Course materials and reading will be available online, and technical and academic support will be provided

Careers

The iQTS (PGCE) Secondary Physical Education (11-16) will enhance career prospects in teaching physical education in international secondary schools. On successful completion, the Department for Education (DfE) in England will automatically award Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), qualifying applicants to teach in schools in England. The course includes 60 academic credits assessed at master's level, which can be used to contribute towards a master's degree.