iPGCE vs PGCE (IDL) and all the crazy difference in prices!

[Tol Eressea]

Hello all... I am currently teaching Reception in a small international school in Thailand. I have a Bachelors (Image and Sound Design) and teaching experience, but not a license. I am from Argentina so I won't be living in UK to get a QTS. I would like to develop my career and my colleagues here have done the PGCE (IDL) in the University of Sunderland. 7455 euros for a year. This is not the PGCE that would get you QTS (that is more expensive and of course you need to be there plus other requirements). Now the University of Derby offers the iPGCE for around 3060 euros, while the University of East London costs 1700 euros and so on... how can it be such a wide difference in pricing, considering they all last more or less the same time, 60 credits, online learning and similar requirements?

 

The PGCE (IDL) might be a bit more different but how about 3060euros vs 1700euros for the same certificate? I have never studied in Europe so maybe there is some basics I am not taking into account?

 

I also wanted to ask how much of a difference it makes to hold an iPGCE... as I have read the bigger difference comes whether you hold QTS or not. Of course it is always good to keep learning and an extra certificate does not at all hurt. But is an investment of 7455 Euros really worth an PGCE (IDL)?

 

Specially considering I am not a native speaker so of course will never get to a top notch international school lol. I wonder if any of you has done this course, through one of these universities? Any recommendations? Or maybe you know more about studying in UK and why can there be such a wide difference in pricing?

 

Any comment is welcome. Even if you studied something else in any of the mentioned universities! 

 

Thanks a lot.

[arick]

Nottingham Uni also does IPGCE. I would go with the cheapest like East London University. Its is good and has been running iPGCE PGCE for a long time. PGCE is separate from QTS  and if you were to go to the UK and had employment in a primary school you could have a educational agency help you gain QTS. In my experience QTS can be more difficult and then the PGCE. Some PGCE post 16 at the University of Greenwich didn't offer QTS at the same time. You would just get your QTS at a different time with somebody else. With your iPGCE you are entitled to gain a Thai teachers license. Look at who is easier and who seems to give you more help and direction with writing your assignments. 

Just get a QTS teacher from the UK to help you..