International Baccalaureate Educator Certificates
It is possible to study the International Baccalaureate (IB) Educator Certificates at the University of Bath, either as part of the MA Education or on a stand-alone basis.
Find out more
More information is available of the International Baccalaureate website.
For specific International Baccalaureate related queries, email: pd.pathways@ibo.org
Overview
The IB Educator Certificates (previously known as the IB Teacher Awards) formally recognise the experience and commitment of IB teachers, as well as their skills and understanding.
Holders of these qualifications will be recognised by the IB as having met the professional development requirements associated with the IB's programme authorisation and evaluation procedures.
Qualifications
IB Certificate in Teaching and Learning
To gain the IB Certificate in Teaching and Learning, you must take the following four units:
- Assessment
- Curriculum Studies
- Education in an International Context
- Understanding Learners & Learning
You must also base your assignments on current or recent IB teaching practice.
How can these be studied?
It is possible to take each of these units by Distance Learning. Units are also taught at Study Centres, Summer School, and at timetabled sessions at the University of Bath campus during semester time.
What if I finish my studies here?
If you wish, you can conclude your studies after completing the IB Certificate.
As a student of the University of Bath, you are eligible for the 30 credit Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Studies (PGCES).
If you complete a fifth unit you can conclude your studies with the 60 credit Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), or continue your studies to the next level by enrolling on the dissertation.
Passing all five units and the dissertation enables you to gain the IB Advanced Certificate in Teaching and Learning Research.
IB Advanced Certificate in Teaching and Learning Research
If you wish to study for the Advanced Certificate, you must have first successfully completed the four IB Certificate in Teaching and Learning units, together with Research Methods in Education unit.
For the Advanced Certificate, you must also successfully complete a 15,000 word master's dissertation in which you critically engage with relevant research literature, your own practice, and issues related to the IB programmes.
Once you have completed these five units and the dissertation, as well as gaining the IB Advanced Certificate in Teaching and Learning Research, you will also have completed the MA Education.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements include those for the MA Education, as well as these additional requirements:
| Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| IB Certificate in Teaching and Learning offered through the University of Bath |
Current or recent IB teaching experience and be a qualified teacher (in the assessed written assignments you will need to reflect on your own current or recent IB teaching experience). |
| IB Advanced Certificate in Teaching and Learning Research | Five years experience of IB teaching, three years of which must be in one IB programme in the same IB school (this is an IB requirement). |
What if I have no teaching experience?
If you have no IB teaching experience then you will not be able to study towards the IB Educator Certificate at the University of Bath.
If you are interested in gaining an IB Educator Certificate and you are not eligible to do so at Bath, please email: pd.pathways@ibo.org for guidance.
How to apply
You can apply for the IB Educator Certificate units in the same way you apply to study the part-time MA Education.
Enrolling for units
When you enrol on a unit you will be asked to indicate that you are intending to complete the unit as part of the IB Certificate in Teaching and Learning. In addition you should specify the IB programme (PYP, MYP or DP) on which you intend to focus your studies.
You are required to complete an assignment which directly addresses a series of 'essential' questions associated with a particular IB programme. As this certificate is IB programme specific, if you want to register for the award, you must ground all four assignments in one IB programme.
The IB Educator Certificates at the University of Bath is administered by the Graduate School, but all other administration (including registration with the IB and the awarding of the IB Educator Certificates) is taken care of by the International Baccalaureate Office (IBO).
You must to email: pd.pathways@ibo.org once you have registered on your first unit, so that the IBO can provide access to their own support materials.
You will also need to ensure your Unit Tutor understands that you are working towards the IB Educator Certificate.
