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International Baccalaureate Educator Certificates

You can complete the International Baccalaureate Educator Certificates at the University of Bath.

In order to study the International Baccalaureate Educator Certificates (IBEC) at the University of Bath you need to have current or recent teaching experience of an IB programme and then gain admission to the MA Education. If your application is successful you can study the IBEC alongside the MA Education.

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.

More information is available on the International Baccalaureate website.

Qualifications

Find out about the IB Certificate and Advanced Certificate in Teaching and Learning.


IB Certificate in Teaching and Learning

To gain the IB Certificate in Teaching and Learning, you must successfully complete 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 having successfully completed these four units?

If you wish, you can conclude your studies after completing the IB Certificate in Teaching and Learning.

As a student of the University of Bath, you will be eligible for the 30 credit Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Studies (PGCES).

If you also successfully complete the Research Methods in Education 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.

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 the Research Methods in Education unit.

For the Advanced Certificate, you must also successfully complete the 15,000 word MA in Education dissertation in which you critically engage with relevant research literature, your own practice, and issues related to one of the IB programmes.

Once you have passed these five units and the dissertation, as well as gaining the IB Advanced Certificate in Teaching and Learning Research, you can be awarded the MA in Education or the MA in Education (International 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 either hold a national teaching qualification/license or have a minimum of three years full-time professional teaching experience in a government-approved/registered school in the subject or age domain in which you intend to register for the certificate. Experience can be within an independent or private school provided the school is registered by the relevant national education authority.

IB Advanced Certificate in Teaching and Learning Research

Experienced IB teacher – This is an IB requirement; view the IB website for the exact current requirement.

What if I have no IB teaching experience?

If you have no IB teaching experience then you will not be able to study towards either of the IB Educator Certificates 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

Enrolment for the IB Educator Certificate


You can apply for the IB Educator Certificate units in the same way you apply to study the part-time MA Education.

Details on how to enrol are available from the Postgraduate Administrative Assistant Nicola Topping, education-ma@bath.ac.uk

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. The IB Educator Certificates are 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 are administered by the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, 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 (IB).

You will also need to ensure your Unit Tutor understands that you are working towards one of the IB Educator Certificates.

Enquiries

Contact us to find out more.