Dear PsyGuy,
Thank you so much for all your wise information!!! I think it saved me loads of google searches. I did find the UPe and asked IBO about it, and when they told me I would not get the IBEC certificate with it I kept searching. They even gave me a list of unis with IBEC but all the unis in the UK say that I need to have experience in an IB school to get the IBEC. I asked IBO about this too and they said it was up to the unis.

As a non-native speaker I thought getting a Masters from the UK or US would have more marketability than from any other university, and again considering I would try to move to Europe, a university from the UK would be better choice than US. I take your words too; I had the feeling that a reputable uni from the UK was likely to have more marketability as you said.

Am I correct by thinking that IB is the most popular type of international school in Europe and probably the world? I don't know much about it. I teach Lower Primary, and my feeling was that the most reputable schools had IB, especially in Europe. This is my feeling from googling different schools and from former colleagues' experiences in different schools. I could be completely wrong.

Again, thank you so much for your time, your insight is extremely helpful.

Worst case scenario, do you have by any chance someone reliable in a different country to give your password and link to what you want to buy? I know it is not ideal but I had to do that once for different reasons (problems with SMS).

Then if you feel uneasy with the shared password you could change it? (though not the code for your card, but if you are able to receive the SMS to confirm the card transaction then nobody could use your card without your consent).

Or, if you are lucky to have 2 accounts, you could just pass all the money to the saver account which the card has no access to, then even if they want to use the card, there are no funds (this is what I do because I don't have monthly payments linked to my card).

Anyways this would be if you have some family member you could trust and who have a minimum understanding of how to use internet for purchases (I had to make a whole tutorial to explain XD).

Hi all! After completion of the PGCE IDL Sunderland I think it's time to do a masters. Looking through the options of universities mostly in UK and Europe (I would like to move to Europe eventually, I have Italian passport) I see most of them are not accredited by an external body. I have to do an online masters as I cannot afford it if I am not working, and I am currently teaching in Thailand.

There are some masters that are accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organisation, but you would only gain this accreditation after teaching in an IB school, which is not my case. I guess it is still useful that the programme has such accreditation available, but I am wondering how truly important it is.

I've also considered the Moreland Masters but none of the 6 pathways resonates with me. I feel that considering the time and effort it will take, I should choose a programme that I find interesting... This is why so far I haven't chosen Sunderland's masters.

What are your views on accreditations through external bodies for master degrees in education?

Thank you very much for your time!

Hello all! I have been reading a lot about the iPGCE (also some of this forum threads) but I still have doubts...

I am not an English native speaker, I don't have a "significant" bachelors and I haven't studied in international schools (Argentinian and Italian passport so for now visa is not a problem for working in Europe) so I don´t think I would ever get into the 1st tier international schools. I am currently teaching Reception in a small international school in Thailand. My bachelors is in Image and Sound design. I also have some experience as a Drama and Visual Arts teacher and I am looking forward to gaining more experience in the future (outside my Reception's classroom) as I love both.

My question is, for a non native who cannot really apply to the 1st tier schools, does it make any sense to do the iPGCE? I have the feeling those schools that would hire me would do so regardless of the iPGCE. Would it make a difference to earn a Masters? Of course those things always look better in your resume, but how determinant is it for someone like me? I know the best would be a license, but I am not even sure it would make any difference if I was a teacher in my home country (Argentina).

I have read in this forum that "a PGCEi is a working qualification in parts of IE" though I am not really sure whether IE stands for International Education? (face of embarrassment here lol, I even tried to google it) and I know you may gain QTS through an iPGCE though unsure if that is the case for non British and non English native speakers.

Of course I think it would be really good to learn more about teaching. But then, spending 7500 euros (current fee for iPGCE in Sunderland) sounds like way too much. It does look like the most reputable place but again, for a non native, how determinant is it to earn an iPGCE from Sunderland? The University of Derby is also offering an iPGCE with teaching practice and mentor, for 2625 euros... Buckhingham University also offers a university tutor in a subject specialist, costing around 4650 euros... Tes Institute for 4190 euros.... 

Sunderland is also currently giving iPGCE for Early Years or Primary or Secondary, which I guess shows more professionalism but again, if I earn an EY iPGCE it makes me feel I wouldn't be able to teach Art in secondary school with such certificate.

Of course you get what you pay for, but has any of you done or heard of someone doing the iPGCE in any other university (neither Sunderland nor Nottingham) and getting better job offers afterwards?

I am only considering those universities that require you to be working in the international setting and teaching practice, as my understanding is, an iPGCE from such universities is better. (Maybe I am wrong?)

I also wonder whether I would be paying all those extra bucks for quality or also for their higher costs in location (London), advertisements and so on.
 
I am inclined to apply to Derby/Buckingham but again, it would be awful to work really hard this following year for a certificate that wouldn't be recognized at all... I know nobody can really tell, but it would be great to hear your thoughts. :D

Thanks a lot in advance!