EDUCATION
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (International) (PGCEi)*
Postgraduate Certificate in Education: Primary Postgraduate
Certificate in Inclusion and Special Educational Needs
Education (Inclusion and Special Educational Needs) (ISEN) MA*
Education (Leadership) MA*
Education (Learning and Teaching) MA*
Do you want to inspire the next generation and have a positive impact on the aspirations of young people? Have you got a passion for teaching? Do you want to develop a career in teaching that could transition you from the classroom to a strategic school leadership role? Do you want to lead educational change and help create inclusive communities?
The School of Education has a range of full-time and part-time programmes to help you to progress your career. We have an outstanding reputation as a centre of excellence for teaching and research in a wide range of areas of educational practice and policy. Our philosophy, pedagogy and programmes are rooted in rigorous research and also in values that are committed to social justice.
WHY CHOOSE OUR PROGRAMMES?
- Achieve a globally recognised teaching certificate that is taught, assessed and accredited by one of the top universities in the UK
- Develop as a teaching professional while remaining in the UAE
- Improve your employability by developing a portfolio that demonstrates a wide range of professional competencies linked to the UK and UAE standards
- Opportunity to progress to an MA in Educational Leadership; Masters in Education in Inclusion and Special Educational Needs
- Work with experienced tutors and educators
- Develop a global approach to education
- Our programmes have been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted
- Our programmes have been approved by the KHDA and we are a Ministry of Education-accredited university
THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION IS RANKED 44TH IN THE WORLD
(QS WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS BY SUBJECT 2020)
OUR UNIVERSITY PROGRAMMES HAVE BEEN RATED 'OUTSTANDING' BY OFSTED
THE ONLY FACE-TO-FACE PGCE IN THE UAE
GRADUATE CAREER DESTINATIONS HAVE INCLUDED:
Teaching at the primary, secondary level, and higher education levels, as well as specific roles such as inclusion specialists, learning support assistants, leadership, management and administrative positions within educational establishments and corporations.
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (International) (PGCEi) – 1 year part-time
What will you study?
The PGCEi is a 60 credit M-level professional development programme designed for those working in educational settings and keen to develop their practice. Through a process of reflection and collaboration on global perspectives in education, the PGCEi culminates in an action research project based on your own educational context. Elements of sustainable practices, social justice in education, digital pedagogies, and internationalisation of curricula in relation to emerging education research, are embedded within.
The PGCEi has been designed to provide a firm foundation in theory and evidence in relation to both well-researched and emerging issues in education for those who are looking to pursue further academic study and professional development, whilst continuing with their existing role within an educational setting.
How will you be taught?
Students on this programme will cover the following modules:
- Education, Curriculum Design, Planning and Social Justice (20 credits)
- Pedagogy, Learning and Assessment (20 credits)
- Educational Research: Action Research (20 credits)
You will develop your own specialist areas of expertise through research on learning theories and associated pedagogy, curriculum design and other practice-focused assignments. The course offers a flexible blended approach to learning through in-person, asynchronous workshops and seminars, and access to digital resources supplemented by University tutor input delivered in person for the majority of the programme.
The PGCEi provides a strong focus on connecting research to practice, evaluating and reflecting key theories in relation to own experience in context, and innovative approaches to pedagogy. The PGCEi does not confer QTS but can be used as a route towards a teaching qualification for those who wish to pursue the Assessment Only (AO) route, following successful completion of the programme and through an e-portfolio of teaching experiences.
Postgraduate Certificate in Education: Primary - (5-11 Years) 1 year full-time
What will you study?
Suitable for those interested in becoming a teacher across the full 5–11 age range, the Primary Education programme is a full-time, one-year postgraduate programme taught at both our campus and with placements in our partnership schools.
The programme is designed to help you plan, teach and develop your classroom skills within the primary age range. Time within the programme is spent developing necessary subject knowledge in English, Maths and Science, alongside the consideration of whole-school issues such as supporting classroom behaviour.
The programme has two parts:
Part 1: The university part develops your understanding of the theoretical and practical issues inherent in the classroom teaching of subjects and whole-school issues within the primary/foundation curriculum. The following areas are covered by all students:
- Professional Studies
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
Part 2: The school-based practice enables you to apply what you have learned and to develop and refine your teaching skills.
HOW WILL YOU BE TAUGHT?
During school placements, you will apply what you have learnt and continue learning through observing experienced teachers, team teaching with peers and teachers, and supported solo teaching within classes. As the programme progresses, you will develop increasing confidence and expertise in selecting from a repertoire of learning activities that are supported by appropriate use of resources and technology. The programme has an excellent and proven track record. It is rigorous and challenging, forming an excellent preparation for a successful career in teaching.
Certificate in Inclusion and Special Educational Needs – 1 year part-time
What will you study?
A 60-credit postgraduate certificate designed for in-service teachers, school leaders, education policy leaders and others working directly or indirectly with children with disabilities in the UAE, the UK, and around the world. Graduates can apply their broad-based knowledge of inclusion and special education needs as KHDA Leaders of Provision, inclusion specialists, governors, and champions, to help grow the inclusive mission in the UAE.
The ISEN programme covers a range of topics, specifically: cross-cultural disability theory, inclusive policy and evaluation, and inclusive classroom practices. These modules are designed to engage students in critical reflection of their practice, to become advocates of inclusion in order to create whole-school inclusion movements. The comparative and international nature of this degree is ideal for the global citizens in the UAE, who live, work and move through multiple cultures.
How will you be taught?
Students in the ISEN PGCert programme will take three 20-credit modules over the course of one year:
- Cross-Cultural Issues in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
- Inclusion: Individual and Group Differences
- Evaluation and Policy Analysis for Inclusive Education
The course is taught through a blended approach of digital and face-to-face learning. Students will engage in one module per term and modules are designed to engage students in reflection on their professional practices, and so designed for the working professional.
When studying on the ISEN programme, you will:
- Learn from globally recognised experts on inclusion and special educational needs
- Develop assignments and projects to support Continuing Professional Development (CPD) portfolios
- Have the opportunity to progress to a Masters in Education with the University
‘We are delighted to be collaborating with some exceptional schools across the UAE to support our PGCE students during their school experience placement on the programme. With an experienced mentor designated to each student within the partner school, you will learn from experienced practitioners in a supportive and nurturing environment. The combination of focused, research-based teaching at the University and innovative school experience ensures that our PGCE students flourish into self-reflective practitioners.’
Sanam Yaqub, School Partnership Strategies Manager, University of Birmingham Dubai
‘After taking a career break to raise my young family, I sought a career change into teaching. I felt the PGCE at the University of Birmingham was the best option available in Dubai to suit my learning style. The programme is well run, with supportive tutors and in-school mentors.’
Alyson, PGCE Primary Education
‘Don’t think twice about joining the University of Birmingham Dubai, go for it! The academics are extremely flexible and supportive, they really want you to achieve. You won’t find such support anywhere else.’
Rabia, PGCert Inclusion and Special Educational Needs
MASTERS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES
Our taught Masters and Professional Education Programmes (also known as CPD) in the School of Education offer you an opportunity to participate in a distinctive range of some core areas of research and practice: Educational Leadership; Inclusion and Special Educational Needs and Teaching Studies. These courses are taught through a blended approach combining digital and face-to-face learning. You’ll study one module per term so that the workload is manageable for working professionals.
Education (Inclusion and Special Educational Needs) (ISEN) MA – 3 years part-time
What will you study?
The ISEN MA is focused on developing a versatile professional with a holistic understanding of inclusion for persons and students with disabilities. You will examine the foundations of disability studies and inclusion. You will have the opportunity to choose a specific area of disability to focus your studies on, providing both a universalist and specialist foundation our programme is built on. Graduates leave with the ability to be advocates, leaders and practitioners throughout the education field, anywhere in the world.
After completing foundation courses in Cross-cultural Issues in SEND; Inclusion – Individual and Group Differences; and Policy Analysis for Inclusive Education, students will go on to choose a specialist pathway. The ability to tailor this MA to your specific interests while also providing the foundations of whole-school inclusion is a unique and valuable experience.
In your final year of study, you undertake a Masters dissertation. We’ll provide you with the research methods training that allows you to conduct a piece of critical research and to develop an in-depth understanding of an educational topic of personal and/or professional interest. As an area of growth and investment within the region, this degree will position graduates to contribute at an exciting time in inclusive education.
Have you completed the PGCert Education (Inclusion and Special Educational Needs)? If you choose to join us you will be accredited for Year one and join directly onto Year two!
Education (Leadership) MA – 2 years part-time
What will you study?
The distinctive, evidence-focused Educational Leadership Masters develops capacity for leadership and expert practice in schools. It is designed for those who want to make a difference through their leadership. Combining inclusive and values-driven leadership with an emphasis on understanding and using research to drive learning and school improvement, it is a programme for those leaders who want to lead socially inclusive change in the field of education.
Students in the MA Education Leadership programme will take three 20-credit modules over the course of one year:
- Understanding School Improvement: A rigorous, theoretically and evidence-informed view of the effects of teaching and school organisation on students’ learning
- Leadership for School Improvement: Focusing on the qualities and skills that will enable you to play a more effective part – as members of management teams – in the leadership of your school, college or area of responsibility
- Educational Policy and Improving Schools: Enables you to critically review current debates in education policy and the implications of alternative stances on education policy for school improvement and professional practice
In your final year of study, you undertake a Masters dissertation. We’ll provide you with the research methods training that allows you to conduct a piece of critical research and to develop an in-depth understanding of an educational topic of personal and/or professional interest.
Education (Learning and Teaching) MA – 2 years part-time
What will you study?
The MA Education (Learning and Teaching) provides both early career and experienced educators with opportunities to build on their initial teacher training as they establish themselves in the profession. It focuses on three key areas of professional practice: managing students’ learning; understanding what makes for effective pedagogy; and, as you plan your future career, understanding teamwork and mentoring in education. You can enter with either 60 or 120 postgraduate credits and you will benefit from having individualised supervisory tuition.
Students in the MA Education (Learning and Teaching) programme will take three 20-credit modules over the course of one year:
- Learning, Teaching and Research: Equips you to investigate and research your teaching in relation to important issues in the classroom. Common topics include how best to manage behaviour; rewards and sanctions; mixed-ability classes; set/streamed/banded classes; and working in an international setting.
- Curriculum Development and Research: Enables you to identify and investigate an aspect of your professional practice as a qualified teacher with the aim of improving that practice. The focus for this module will normally be your work as a subject teacher and how you create lessons and other opportunities for your learners to learn the subject most effectively.
- Teamwork and Mentoring: Focuses on the theory of coaching and mentoring in schools, as well as practical experience in implementation. You will use this knowledge to develop your own coaching practice through practical experience. You’ll develop the ability to choose coaching stances based on context, apply cognitive coaching skills and enhance your own reflective practices.