Single Virtual University Space (SVUS)

The Postgraduate Diploma in Education Programme comprises year one (1) of the Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT). The nature of the programme is pedagogical training in particular specialization (subject) areas for persons with at least a first (undergraduate) degree who do not have prior teacher training. (Applicants to the programme who are already trained teachers are encouraged to apply to the Master in Education Summer & Online Programme instead). Upon completion of the programme, students are awarded a postgraduate diploma in education. (As such, the programme is also referred to as the Dip. Ed. Programme or the MAT Part 1 Programme). The programme is one (1) year: January to December.

The programme is offered through the Single Virtual University Space (SVUS) which comprises sites across Jamaica and the Caribbean. All sites connect to classrooms located at Mona via videoconferencing technology. The 2016 cohort sites are Mona, the Western Jamaica Campus (WJC) in Montego Bay, Eastern Jamaica Open Campus sites, St. Lucia, Bermuda, Dominica, & Montserrat. Seven specializations are offered for the 2017 cohort: Mathematics Education, English Language Education, Information Technology Education, Science Education, Modern Languages Education, History Education, and Social Studies/Geography Education.

Please note that the viability of a specialization is contingent upon the number of registered students.

Each specialization carries five (5) taught courses: three (3) specialization courses, and two (2) core education courses. The two (2) courses are delivered in Session I (January to May), and the remaining three (3) are delivered into two (2) Summer Sessions (mid-June to mid-August). During the final stage of the programme (Session II, September to December), students complete the practicum of one hundred and forty-four (144) hours of teaching practice in a secondary school (no exceptions) under the guidance of an assigned supervisor. The practicum is followed by the completion and submission of an action-based research study which is informed by students’ practicum experience.

If students’ commute to their respective sites is difficult or inconvenient, students have the option to join their specialization course(s) from their personal locations/stations (such as home) via Zoom (videoconferencing software similar to Skype). In this case, students need a personal computer/laptop, reliable internet connection, and audio/visual facilities. The week before classes begin, students will be trained in the use of the Zoom technology by our education technologist/information technology option coordinator. Students are expected to attend core education courses on site.

In order to apply to the PGDE Programme, these are the steps to take:

  1. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. regarding the online application.
  2. You will be required to submit ** NOTARIZED COPIES ** of your: 
    • Birth and/or marriage certificate(s); 
    • Undergraduate and/or postgraduate certificate(s); 
    • Official transcript(s) from past tertiary institution(s) if you are not a past student of the UWI. If you opt to send the transcript via snail mail, the transcript must be sent in a ** STAMPED & SEALED ENVELOPE ** addressed to:
      Masters in Education Summer and Online Programme School of Education University of the West Indies,
      Mona Kingston 7
      Attention: Ms. Schontal Moore, Programme Coordinator
    • Two (2) recommendations/referee reports (see attached for Referee Report form). Both references/recommendations/referee reports must be affixed with the signature of the person making the recommendation.

      If you are a UWI graduate, the only supporting documents you are required to submit are two (2) recommendations/referee reports.


Please scan and email or send via air mail all the documents listed above to this email address. Please send your official transcript (via air mail) to the address noted above. Please note that if your under/postgraduate degree(s) is not in the same specialization area that you intend to pursue in the PGDE Programme, you will be required to take between one (1) and two (2) undergraduate co-requisite content courses if you have not been teaching the specialization subject for five (5) or more years (proof required).

    The programme costs for the 2017 cohort are: Jamaica: JM$310,000.00 Overseas Sites: US$4,800.00*

*Bermudian students will be required to pay an additional service charge determined by Bermuda College. Payment plans will be available via BOSS (Bursary Online Student System):  apps.mona.uwi.edu/bursary

      The conditions for applying to the payment plan are:
      (1) Acceptance to the programme;
      (2) Acceptance of the offer for entry on the Student Administrative System (SAS); and 
      (3) Registration for courses

Registration for courses is compulsory before applying for the payment plan.

If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us via email or the numbers below.

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The School of Education looks forward to reviewing your application to the fourth (4th) cohort of the PGDE Programme beginning in January 2017.