Course Overview

The Teachers of Children with Hearing Impairment programme from University of Birmingham aims to meet the needs of the wide range of people working with deaf children. The Mandatory qualification, which has been approved by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL), is open to teachers who are qualified to teach learners in England (from 0 to 25 years of age) and it aims to equip teachers who are already qualified to teach learners in England to meet the relevant standards to achieve qualified teacher of the deaf status. 

The Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Special Education for the Education of Learners with a hearing impairment, is also open to other professionals who do not wish, or are not eligible, to obtain qualified teacher of the deaf status – for example lecturers of deaf students, communication support workers and educational psychologists. If you are not a qualified teacher of school-aged pupils, you may take this award but will not be eligible to obtain qualified teacher of the deaf status from the NCTL.

General Eligibility

• Applicants are required to have a first degree or diploma (or equivalent) or 5 years relevant professional experience. 

• Those wishing to gain recognition from the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) as a qualified teacher of the deaf must be teachers who are qualified to teach learners in England (from 0 to 25 years of age). Additionally, they are expected to have a minimum of two years teaching or other appropriate professional experience prior to commencing the programme. 

• The course is designed for practising teachers, and some of the course materials are written in a way that assumes regular contact with deaf pupils. Applicants who do not have regular contact with deaf pupils will need to establish links with a local school for the deaf, resource base or service for deaf pupils during the programme to enable them to carry out some of the required activities.

Part Time Work Details

20 Hours of Work permit weekly for international students.

Language Requirement

• English requirements

  IELTS - 6.5

  TOEFL - 88