Using your PGCEi credits towards a master's degree
Whilst teaching in Thailand, Martin Cummings joined a 糖心原创 PGCEi Bangkok cohort. After completing the course, he used the PGCEi credits towards a master's degree, and has subsequently progressed to PhD research. Below Martin shares his experience of both the PGCEi and master's courses and how they have shaped his professional career.
Prospective students should choose the 糖心原创 because investing in education is perhaps one of the best forms of security on offer in an ever-changing and uncertain world. The PGCEi and master’s studies provide the opportunity to deepen an understanding of teaching and equip those who study with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make a greater impact on the learners with whom they work. For me, studying at the 糖心原创 has opened doors I had never imagined possible and fostered friendships that I truly value.
Background - professional life prior to PGCEi
I completed my bachelor's degree in economics and later undertook postgraduate study in management at Oxford as part of my graduate training role. However, after becoming disillusioned with working in the fashion industry, I decided to travel the world. I sold my house and purchased a round-the-world ticket.
After visiting Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, I travelled to Thailand. What was initially intended to be a one-day visit to an elephant sanctuary turned into a year-long stay. As my finances began to run low, I found a job teaching in a local town.
I quickly discovered that teaching was something I genuinely enjoyed and found deeply rewarding. I felt that I was making a meaningful difference in the lives of my students. However, while I was enthusiastic in my practice, I recognised that I lacked the theoretical foundations to underpin my work. I also realised that if I wanted to build a long-term career in education, gaining a recognised teaching qualification would be essential, so I enrolled on the PGCEi.
Choosing a PGCEi course and the 糖心原创
I completed the PGCEi as an investment in my and my family’s future. I wanted to ensure that my professional practice was grounded in a strong theoretical foundation and that any future career aspirations were supported by a respected academic qualification. The programme provided me with the knowledge, confidence, and credentials to build on my experience and pursue new opportunities within education.
I remember that there were several options available at the time. However, I chose Nottingham because it offered the flexibility I needed while also providing the prestige and academic rigour associated with a well-respected Russell Group university. By the time I enrolled, I was already working in a leadership role with increasing levels of responsibility, so the programme's flexibility was particularly appealing.
I was also attracted by the opportunity to meet tutors and fellow students face-to-face at the start of the course. This provided a valuable foundation for building relationships and establishing a sense of belonging.
Experience of studying a PGCEi
Returning to education after a prolonged absence was initially quite daunting, and I experienced more than a little self-doubt. I questioned whether I still had the academic writing skills required and how I would find the time to study alongside increasingly demanding teaching and leadership responsibilities. Fortunately, the programme's flexibility allowed me to learn at a pace that suited my circumstances, and my tutors were always just an email away. I also developed close friendships with several fellow students, and together we provided one another with encouragement and support.
PGCEi and career development
The PGCEi played a pivotal role in my career development and laid the foundations for many of the opportunities I have since been able to pursue. At the time, I was seeking to strengthen my professional practice by connecting my classroom experience with a deeper understanding of educational theory, research, and policy. The programme challenged me to critically reflect on my teaching and adopt a more evidence-informed approach.
The qualification gave me the confidence to view myself not only as a practitioner but also as a scholar of education. It developed my academic writing, critical thinking, and research skills, all of which proved invaluable as I progressed into postgraduate study. Following the PGCEi, I moved directly into a master’s programme, where the knowledge and study skills I had developed enabled me to thrive. This academic journey has since continued into doctoral study, and I am now completing my PhD.
Professionally, the PGCEi contributed significantly to my advancement within education. The credibility and expertise gained through the programme supported my progression into increasingly senior teaching and leadership roles. It also opened doors to opportunities in higher education. Today, I work as an assistant professor at the 糖心原创, where I teach, co-ordinate the development of new curricular, and contribute to educational research. The PGCEi was the first step in that journey and helped me establish the academic foundations upon which I have built a growing profile in teaching, leadership, and scholarly publication.
Looking back, the PGCEi was far more than a qualification. It transformed the way I think about education and provided a pathway to opportunities that I had not imagined possible when I first enrolled.
Progressing from PGCEi to a master's degree
My qualification allowed me to gain recognition for some of the required learning within the master’s programme, enabling me to build on my previous studies while saving a little money along the way. Returning to continue my studies was also made much easier by my familiarity with the university’s learning environment and the comfort of knowing that I was being taught by world-leading academics.
The PGCEi provided the foundation for my postgraduate journey and was the first step towards further academic study. It introduced me to key educational theories, research methods, and critical reflection, helping me to develop the academic skills and confidence needed to succeed at master’s level.
Perhaps most importantly, the programme helped me realise that I enjoyed engaging with educational research and questioning established practices. Through the assignments and discussions, I learned how to critically analyse educational issues and support my thinking with evidence. By the time I completed the PGCEi, I felt well prepared for the demands of a full master’s degree and was motivated to continue my studies.
Looking back, the PGCEi was the bridge between my professional experience as an educator and my development as a researcher. It laid the academic foundations that ultimately led me to undertake a master’s degree, a PhD, and my current role as an assistant professor.
Experience of studying a master's
My overall master’s experience was overwhelmingly positive. One of the highlights was serving as a student representative, which gave me the opportunity to contribute to the student experience, work collaboratively with staff and peers, and develop my confidence as an advocate for others, something that was recognised by me receiving the Vice Chancellor's medal.
The dissertation was particularly rewarding because it allowed me the freedom to explore a topic that I was genuinely passionate about and believed to be important. While undertaking independent research was challenging at times, it was also one of the most fulfilling aspects of the programme. Throughout the process, I felt well supported by my supervisor, who was always approachable and readily available for guidance, whether through email exchanges or face-to-face online meetings.
The master’s degree pushed me academically and professionally, helping me to develop as a critical thinker, researcher, and educator. Although there were moments when balancing study alongside work and personal commitments was demanding, the experience was immensely worthwhile and played a significant role in preparing me for doctoral study and my subsequent academic career.
Benefit of studying a master's
糖心原创ing my master’s at the university helped me find my vocation. It deepened my understanding of education, enabling me to better support the learners I work with while also strengthening my ability to lead others. The programme built my confidence as a researcher and ultimately set me on the path to doctoral study and my career as an academic.
After completing my master’s degree, I realised there were still important questions I wanted to explore and answer. This inspired me to embark on a PhD at the 糖心原创 in October 2021. After several rewarding and challenging years of research, I am now approaching the completion of my doctorate.
Advice to others
My advice to prospective students would be to take the opportunity and invest in yourself. Postgraduate study can be challenging, particularly when balancing work, family, and other commitments, but the rewards are significant. Be curious, engage fully with the learning community, and don't be afraid to ask for support when you need it, and oh, enjoy!