Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications - Teaching and Learning 5881 - Syllabus for 2025-2030 - Version 3.1

Oct 23, 2026

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Cambridge International Certificate Teaching and Learning 5881 syllabus outlines the 2025–2030 examination framework for a Cambridge Professional Development Qualification (PDQ) designed for teacher continuing professional development. It explains how candidates engage critically with teaching and learning concepts, apply ideas through reflective practice, and formatively evaluate experiences to plan further growth. The document positions the PDQ as integrated into school planning and culture, and includes research-informed characteristics of effective professional development, plus guidance on programme structure, eligibility, assessment, evidence, and a reflective journal.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages29

Reading Time1 h 13 min

AccessFree to download

Why choose Cambridge?

Purpose of this document

Quality

The Cambridge teacher

Cambridge School Leader and Teacher Standards

Cambridge Teacher Standards

How to use the Standards

Syllabus overview

The PDQ Programme Leader

The Certificate syllabus

Eligibility

Language requirements

What is the qualification structure?

What does the Certificate involve?

How is the Certificate assessed?

Evidence requirements

Reflective journal

Certificate in Teaching and Learning

Introduction to the Certificate

Module 1 Exploring learning and teaching

Unit 1 Understanding the basic principles of learning and teaching

Unit 2 Teaching an effective lesson

Unit 3 Teaching effective lessons

Assessment criteria

Support and resources for PDQ programmes

What is PDQ Connect?

Glossary

| Cambridge Professional Development | | --- | | Cambridge International Certificate | Syllabus Cambridge International Certificate Teaching and Learning 5881 For examination in 2025 to 2030 Version 3.1 Why choose Cambridge? Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications (PDQs) provide a strong framework to support the effective continuing professional development of candidates (teachers) . They help candidates to: • engage critically with relevant concepts, principles, theories and best practices from around the world • apply new ideas and approaches in reflective practice in their own teaching and learning context • formatively evaluate experiences to plan further development • transform the quality of teaching and school leadership to improve the outcomes of learners. Cambridge PDQs are designed to be integrated into schools’ professional development planning, activities and culture. They help schools to improve through cost-effective, sustainable programmes that benefit teachers and their learners. They demonstrate to parents, the school community and stakeholders that the school values and nurtures staff development. The Cambridge International Certificate in Teaching and Learning is for candidates who want to: • engage with the principles and concepts of teaching and learning to improve their effectiveness as teachers • gain the knowledge, skills and understanding to support an inclusive approach to teaching and learning • use opportunities to try something new in their classroom practice • engage with colleagues to improve professional knowledge and practice • develop a reflective approach to the development of their professional practice • progress their teaching career. Research indicates that effective teacher professional development: • is integrated into the everyday life of the school and the teacher • considers teachers’ prior knowledge and experience • offers opportunities for reflection and learning from experience • encourages and supports innovation and collaboration • helps teachers to develop their existing knowledge, skills and understanding of teaching and learning • enriches teachers’ learning through critical engagement with the theories of others • is sustained over time and supported by people with expertise. The Certificate is designed to provide for such professional development. School feedback: ‘Over the three years we have run the PDQ, we have seen how the programme has been a catalyst for exciting conversations about Teaching and Learning across the school. The PDQ candidates are envoys in their departments for the reflective and rigorous approach that we want to see in all staff, and that collaboration at department level has allowed the benefits of the PDQ to blossom beyond those who have participated in the course. By engaging with educational research and theories, and embedding these in their practice, the PDQ candidates have been role models to their departmental colleagues. In particular, the high-quality evidencebased research in the diploma programme has challenged teachers across the school to be bold and ambitious as they reflect on their own practice, striving for excellence.’ Feedback from: Bianca Wright, PDQ Programme Leader, Head of Teaching and Learning, Hebron School, Tamil Nadu, South India © Cambridge University Press & Assessment January 2022 Cambridge International Education is the name of our awarding body and a part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which is a department of the University of Cambridge. Cambridge University Press & Assessment retains the copyright on all its publications. Registered centres are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own internal use. However, we cannot give permission to centres to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within a centre. Contents Why choose Cambridge? ..................................

FAQs

What is the Cambridge Professional Development Qualification (PDQ) Teaching and Learning 5881 designed to do for candidates?

It supports teachers’ continuing professional development by helping candidates engage critically with teaching and learning principles, apply new ideas through reflective practice, and evaluate experiences to plan further development.

How does the syllabus describe effective teacher professional development?

Effective professional development is integrated into everyday school life, considers teachers’ prior knowledge, includes reflection and learning from experience, encourages innovation and collaboration, and is sustained over time with expert support.

What does the PDQ Certificate involve and how is it assessed?

The Certificate syllabus covers the qualification structure, what the Certificate involves, and the assessment approach, including evidence requirements and a reflective journal, alongside assessment criteria for modules and units.

Oct 23, 2026

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