The IB is an education organisation founded in 1968 that has developed international education programmes for students from 3 to 18 years of age, through the participation of educators, universities and organisations from around the world. Currently its programmes are taught in over 4,300 public and private schools in 150 countries.

The IB stands apart from other programmes because:

• It encourages students to think critically and question what they are told
• It stimulates students to examine both their local surroundings and take interest in international topics
• It is independent from governments and national educational systems, enabling it to adopt best practices from a wide variety of education frameworks and curricula from different countries.

In order to teach IB programmes, schools must obtain accreditation. When schools receive authorisation to teach IB programmes it is awarded the IB World School distinction.

What are the IB certificates?

There are four certificates:

IB teaching-learning certificates

These certificates are considered a distinction of excellence globally. All teachers strive to show how the theoretical can be applied practically, but IB teachers exceed these expectations by far. With an international mentality, IB educators work as catalysts to instil higher thought skills in a new generation of students and leaders. In order to prepare students to be world leaders, educators base their work on a prestigious curriculum in line with IB research in education.

• IB teaching-learning certificates The IB teaching-learning certificates offer students the opportunity to examine the principles and practices associated with one of the three IB programmes (Primary, Middle Years and Diploma Programme). This type of certificate helps new and experienced educators become thoughtful and inquiring teaching professionals. Students must decide in which IB programme they wish to specialise in at the beginning of the course: PYP, MYP or Diploma.
• Advanced IB certificate in research in teaching-learning It offers students the opportunity to round off their knowledge of IB programmes they already hold with the added component of rigorous and systematic research to broaden their knowledge and experience. Participants study the development of the curriculum, teaching methods and assessment in detail, using the relevant literature and their own IB experience.

IB leadership certificates
The IB certificates on leadership practices affirm the principles and practices of school management leadership at IB schools, in addition to rigorous research to afford educators and principals an in-depth understanding of leadership capacities and responsibilities.

• The IB Certificate in Leadership Practice enables students to improve leadership skills and professional aspirations in an IB context, in addition to developing and refining their capacity to play a role in guiding a school through IB authorisation.
• The IB Advanced Certificate in Leadership Research provides a more profound understanding of leadership responsibilities and capabilities through rigorous investigative work. It includes research within IB leadership contexts as well as deep reflection on the students’ own leadership practice.

How to obtain certificates?

In order to obtain IB certificates you should enrol in one of the programmes offered by the UCJC. Your coordinator will explain the process at the beginning of the course.

Master’s Degree in International Education and Bilingualism (60 ECTS) IB Advanced Certificate in Teaching and Learning Research

Certificate fees

Certificates fees: The IB charges fees for issuing these certificates (US$265 per certificate, these fees may vary, please check the IB website), that students must pay on completion of their UCJC programmes.

Methodology

• Learning sessions combine various different methodologies: lectures, practical case studies, group dynamics and the analysis and discussion of written papers and audiovisual materials.
• The virtual platform enables students to take the subject online to continue with their studies.
• It encourages the active participation of students and facilitates the integration of knowledge acquired through individual study, adapted to the personal concerns and professional development of each student.
• It prompts permanent reflection about the meaning of international and bilingual education as a social activity that creates more adequate and creative ways of educating and, more specifically, it promotes students’ theoretical and practical skills that will enable them to lead the way in innovative teaching processes and allows them to undertake their training with greater flexibility and adaptation to the European education scene.
• The course is designed including common material and activities from the three IB programmes, PYP, MYP and Diploma and other material and activities that are specific to each of them.

Practicum

The syllabus also includes on-the-job training at an IB school. Teachers who have worked for at least a year at an IB school automatically pass this subject. They only need to present a certificate from the school to attain accreditation. We also have agreements with schools where students can do 63 hours of on-the-job training over approximately 2 weeks.

Schedule compatible with the exercise of professional activity

Candidate profile

Aimed at university graduates (Bachelor’s Degree, engineers, architects and graduates) who wish to go into teaching in the field of bilingualism and international education in any of its programmes.

Candidates should be those with an interest in the field of education in international and bilingual contexts, with scientific curiosity and an interest in general culture, good writing and speaking skills, in addition to interest in researching different subjects and acquiring skills related to understanding, interpreting and a career in such things as: interpersonal skills, communications skills, curiosity, critical thinking, autonomy, speaking in public, tolerance to stress, creativity, initiative, among others.

Requirements for accessing this qualification are, according to article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, to possess an official university degree from a higher education institution from the European Higher Education Area and that grants access to master’s degrees in the country of origin. Furthermore, students with qualifications from education systems from outside the European Higher Education Area will not be required to standardise their qualification if the university deems they are able to prove equivalent education to official Spanish university qualifications and that the country issuing the degree authorises access to post-graduate education.

The University’s access requirements for this degree, according to article 17 of the aforementioned Royal Decree, are:
People with primary or early childhood teaching degrees with level B2 in English as set out in the European Framework of Reference for Languages
Bachelor’s and graduates in English Philology and Translation and Interpretation
Bachelors and graduates in any subject who aspire to teach in the field of bilingualism and international education (minimum level B2 in English required)
Education professionals that fulfilling the three previous points want to continue their studies and culminate with a doctorate in this field (minimum English level B2)
The access routes for people over 25 and 45 and foreigners, as well as those over 40 (Royal Decree 1892/2008 of November 14 and Order EDU / 1161/2010 of May 4), respectively, have also been considered.

Job outlets

There is a growing demand for bilingual schools in Spain’s different autonomous regions and that requires professionals with the abilities and skills to teach integrated studies and with a sound knowledge of English culture and the multicultural nature of the world we live in.

The Master’s in International Education and Bilingualism + the IB Certificate in Teaching and Learning and the IB Advanced Certificate in Teaching and Learning Research empowers those possessing it to enter the jobs pool of schools that teach IB throughout the world.

Our students also have a separate jobs bank and a careers advisory service that facilitate entry into the job market or allow them to improve their job prospects.