Program Overview

Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)

Program Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) is a two-semester program that stands out for its development by the University of Helsinki, leveraging the Finnish approach to teacher education. This program features innovative teaching methods, specialized content, and faculty expertise from one of the world's leading educational institutions.

Program Details

• Program Name: Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)
• Program Type: Postgraduate Diploma
• Program Delivery: Online / Live, Online / Asynchronous, Face-to-Face, Assignments, Practical
• Next Start: August 2024
• Duration: 2 Semesters
• Award: CAA Level 8 Diploma
• Language: English, Arabic

Program Description

The PGDE program is designed to shape dynamic educators who make classroom-level decisions based on evidence, research, and theoretical soundness. It aims to enhance the education profession in the UAE and the region by equipping teachers with the skills and knowledge necessary for high-quality teaching and learning in schools.

Purpose

The goals of this program are to create pathways for pre-service teacher development, tailored to the needs of candidates, schools, and stakeholders. It supports teachers in achieving their licensing requirements and empowers educators in Sharjah and the UAE with world-class qualifications, enabling them to improve the quality and range of learning opportunities for students.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain, apply, and analyze the foundations of human learning, motivation, and social interaction in complex familiar and unfamiliar educational contexts.
2. Demonstrate life-long learning competencies and entrepreneurship, including basic research and scientific literacy in the field of education, and promote thinking skills, metacognition, and self-regulation in their students.
3. Develop and implement strategies for motivating students to engage in constructive dialogue and practices in the school context to participate in building a sustainable society together.
4. Design innovative learning environments based on contemporary educational research.
5. Problem-solve curricular issues and actively participate in curricular reforms collaboratively.

Distinction

This two-semester program focuses on equipping pre- and in-service teachers with advanced pedagogical knowledge to foster 21st-century competencies. The program emphasizes a transformative learning experience, supported by experienced faculty with up-to-date scientific knowledge.

Participation Expectations

Per credit hour in an academic course (total 18 credit hours): 45 hours of directed learning, divided between face-to-face instruction (18%), online/live instruction (36%), online/asynchronous instruction (46%); plus assignments completed individually. Practicum and thesis are more independently-managed by the candidate, however, there is instructor guidance and mentoring, with occasional meetings, both online and face-to-face.

Admission Requirement

• Possess an earned bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Have attained a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent.
• Language proficiency for the English track: Score of at least TOEFL 79 iBT, 6.0 IELTS Academic, or EmSAT 1400 or equivalent.
• Language proficiency for the Arabic track: Arabic EmSAT score of at least 1100 + English 4.5 IELTS.