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How the University of Sunderland supports students on their journey to becoming an educator anywhere in the world
  • Teacher Training

This blog is written by The University of Sunderland, a COBIS Initial Teacher Training (ITT) partner. 

There are a range of flexible teaching and learning opportunities on offer at the University of Sunderland, including the option to study some courses via distance learning. Our online and distance learning courses allow students to learn from anywhere in the world that has internet access. We also offer a choice of start dates that fit around the school calendar in different countries.

Our international and independent distance learning (IIDL) suite of courses has grown exponentially since we began offering courses in 2003. We work in over 60 countries each year, offering courses including PGCE Early Years Teaching (IIDL) and PGCE Education (IIDL), both of which lead to direct entry onto year 2 of our MA Education (IDL) and MA International Education (IDL) courses. The combination of our expertise and years of experience teaching these courses means we are well placed to support students on their journey to becoming a teacher and educator anywhere in the world.


Student Stories

Don’t just take our word for it – hear what our students and graduates have to say about our IIDL Education courses:

Eleanor Sweeney enrolled onto the PGCE Early Years Teaching (IIDL) course at Sunderland as she’d heard good things about it from her fellow teachers in Hong Kong. She says, “There is a lot of support from your personal tutor, who is very personable and easy to communicate with when you are struggling and need a little extra guidance.”

Jodie Smith lives and works in Vietnam and was looking to change career paths, from design and marketing to teaching. Our PGCE Education (IIDL) course was recommended to her by a fellow teacher at the school she works at. “The feedback was very positive. I now have a lot more confidence in my teaching. Gaining this qualification has allowed me to get a pay rise and start thinking of my future, teaching in international schools abroad.”

Simone Sgarbossa wanted to gain a proper teaching degree which he could study while continuing to work, and came across the PGCE Education (IIDL) course. He says, “There are many good aspects of the course, including the support from my personal academic tutor; the quality of feedback on each assignment; the fact the course includes a rigorous teaching practice which translates into actual improvements in my practice; and the challenge to do some proper academic writing. This course has heightened my joy of teaching.”

Muhammad Moustafa AlQadi studied MA TESOL (IDL) and says, “The tutors are the best part of the course – they are very supportive, patient and responsive. Truly, for me studying the TESOL MA was a learning journey and I liked the course structure and organisation.”

Further information

To find out more about our world-leading IDL Education courses, browse our courses, join us for an Online Open Day or sign up to watch our on-demand webcast: Distance not distant: IDL courses in Education.