City life in Sunderland
Sunderland is a breath of fresh air, with a stunning coastline and breathtaking countryside nearby. Located at the heart of the North East of England, Sunderland offers all the nightlife, leisure and cultural opportunities you'd expect from a major city, as well as mile upon mile of great golden beaches. Sunderland is a historical area situated a few miles between Durham and Newcastle, and less than an hour from the Scottish border. With a population of 300,000, Sunderland is one of the main urban areas in the northeast region of England. Although it is an industrial town, Sunderland is also a resort area and seaport.

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University of Sunderland School of Education and Lifelong Learning
We are a large and diverse University School based on three sites. We have nearly 2000 full time students and many thousands of part time students. There are about 1000 school teachers in training and another 700 students, full and part-time, training for work in Further, Adult and Higher Education. We manage all the Languages provision of the University and have a thriving PT programme for serving educationalists with more than 100 schoolteachers enrolled on our Masters programmes.

Our International work includes: research partnerships, an Exchange programme with Morehead State University, Kentucky and a Middle Eastern base for our Teacher Education work. We also recruit overseas students direct to many of our Full Time Programmes. The school is an adaptive and flexible organization that is responsive to the requirements of any partner that approaches it with a proposal for collaboration. We offer a range of courses which are specifically for international students.

Visit the following to find more information on the programmes we offer.
University of Sunderland School of Education and Lifelong Learning

Our Courses for International and Overseas Based Students include;

Professional Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE)
- is a 34 week programme that offers academic training for current practicing teachers or future teachers who wish to enter teaching with an academic qualification. This full time, programme allows those who are already employed to continue with their current employment whilst studying for this qualification; those who intent to enter teaching will undertake placements in a school or other educational setting during the programme. Students must be able to devote a minimum of 6 to 10 hours of study per week in addition to their teaching practice commitment. Applicants should hold a first degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Modules are assessed by the University of Sunderland. This programme is delivered, centre-based, through a partner in Dubai for all Gulf State students or by independent distance learning directly from the University for the Rest of the world.

MA in Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (MA TESOL)
- aims to enhance the practical skills through knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the subject so that teachers can be more effective in the classroom. The programme is ideal for teachers at any level of education: primary, secondary or university/college.

The duration of this programme is a minimum of 12 months full time for students studying at the university, a minimum of 18 months for centre-based distance learning or independent distance learning or 36 months part time. Applicants should hold a first degree or equivalent and have excellent English language skills.

MA in Education (MA Ed)
- is aimed at students living in other parts of the UK and international students; it is expected that students will be practitioners from an education field. This would include working in schools, or as administrators at local or national level.

This is a 2 year programme. Applicants should hold a first degree, normally at honours level, and have some experience of an educational system post graduation would normally be expected. Modules are assessed by the University of Sunderland. This programme is delivered on campus or by independent distance learning, and IDL students need to have access to the internet to use the University’s Web CT VLE.

Our On Campus Preparation Courses for International Students include:
Masters Programmes in Education
We offer a range of masters programmes designed to enable teachers to develop their skills in specialist areas. You will be studying alongside UK based teachers studying part time on the same programme giving insights into UK approaches to teaching. The programmes include:

MA Advanced Professional Practice (Primary/Secondary)
MA Children’s Literature
MA Early Childhood Education
MA Professional Leaning and Guidance
MA Special Needs and Inclusive Education
MA Teaching and Learning with ICT
MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

The above qualifications could enhance your professional development through: promotion, employment prospects and/or improve your employability. 

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
We specialize in EAP University Preparation Courses. Our EAP Up Programme provides students with the language skills and the inter-cultural competence required to succeed in higher education in Britain.

Our EAP University Preparation Courses run from April to September. Classes focus on the development of skills for using English language for study and research purposes. In 2008, all our EAP University Preparation courses will last for five weeks. You may apply to attend one, two, three or four courses depending upon your level of English when you start and the level you plan to reach by middle of September 2008 (when almost all University of Sunderland programmes begin).

International Foundation Programme (IFP)
- is a 30 week programme which is delivered over the length of the academic year and starts in September. This programme is intended for those who would like to progress to an undergraduate programme in a British University but first wish to enhance their language and study skills in England. Upon successful completion students will be awarded a Certificate and can progress onto one of the University’s undergraduate Business or IT/Computing programmes.

The programme is available to international students from all countries of the world. Entry requirements are English language competence of IELTS 4.0/TOEFL 450 or the equivalent plus completion of high school with appropriate examinations (dependent on home country).

Research degrees (MPhil, PhD)
The School of Education and Lifelong Learning has a long standing commitment to high quality research in education. These include national, regional and international collaborations and range from large externally funded projects to small-scale activities with teachers and other professionals. We have an international reputation in social justice issues (in particular 'race', class and sexualities), family and school involvement and in teaching and learning and a growing international reputation in Post Compulsory Education and Training.

We also have a thriving postgraduate research culture involving both national and international students.

For more information please contact:
Susan Hakim on +44 (0) 191 515 3062
or email: ellinternational@sunderland.ac.uk
or visit: education.sunderland.ac.uk/courses/off-campus-degree