Course summary
Spark a passion for STEM in the next generation of learners to help them discover a world of possibilities and develop essential skills to unlock their future careers. Our programme offers a flexible pathway to transition from college to university and build solid grounding in your specialist subject to become a secondary teacher in chemistry. We aim to enhance your knowledge and skills to face the challenges of 21st-century teaching to inspire young students to engage in STEM education, using a variety of teaching approaches and practical applications. Our degree offers a flexible route for HND graduates in chemistry to transition from college to complete our MA (Hons) in Secondary Education, allowing you to earn a qualification teaching STEM within secondary schools. In the first year (Year 3) of university learning, you will undertake 60 credits in Education alongside 60 credits in chemistry courses that would build on your prior learning and give you a strong grounding to take your knowledge into schools in the final year of the MA programme. The education courses studied in Year 3 give firm foundations about policy, and STEM education that can be built on in Year 4. You can tailor your educational journey to your interests and exit at the end of Year 3 if desired. Regulations are in place so that progression into Year 4 and teacher education is through satisfactory interview checks on relevant entry criteria (credits, English and Maths etc.) set out by the memorandum of entry. Year 4 follows the accredited PGDE Secondary programme which includes one Education course (60 credits) and one placement-based 60-credit course (18 weeks total in two different schools) teaching chemistry in secondary schools. After completing the MA (Honours) Secondary Education with Chemistry, you will be provisionally registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and able to move into your probationary year teaching your specialism in secondary schools across Scotland. For students entering in September 2025, the programme will follow the following variant pattern. Year 3 - BA Secondary Education and Chemistry and Year 4 - PGDE Chemistry with Science. The PGDE is fully accredited by the GTCS.
Modules
You will study 120 credits in Year 3 and Year 4 of the programme. Semester 1: STEM and Computing Science in Society and Education (30 credits) and relevant subject courses from Science (30 credits) Semester 2: Conceptual Learning in STEM and Computing Science (30 credits) and relevant subject courses from Science (30 credits)
Assessment method
You are assessed in the following ways: Written assessments including essays and reflective discussions; Presentations demonstrating subject knowledge and using evidence from professional practice; Professional practice assessments in secondary schools.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- General Teaching Council for Scotland
How to apply
29Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- X1F1
- Institution code:
- A20
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 3
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
For Year 3 entry only: Satisfactory completion of HND (240 SCQF credit points) - BA in Graded Units. Curriculum to include: Organic Stereochemistry: Theory and Laboratory Skills (H934 35); Instrumental Techniques 1 (H930 35); Inorganic Chemistry: Theory and Laboratory Skills (H932 35); Aromatic Chemistry: Theory and Laboratory Skills (H92N 35).
International applicants
In addition to tuition fees, students will require money to cover their living costs including accommodation, food, books, entertainment, clothing, phone bills, local travel, and laundry. These expenses will vary depending on your lifestyle and spending habits. In keeping with UKVI rules, we recommend that student’s budget £1,136 per month to cover their living costs and you have to evidence 9 months’ worth of maintenance (£10,224) when applying for your visa. You also have to pay the NHS health surcharge of £776 per each year of study, when applying for a visa. When you apply for your Student Visa, you will be required to evidence these funds in your personal bank account (or a parent’s personal bank account (NOT a Business Account). Therefore, you will have to evidence your 1st years tuition fees (minus the International Scholarship for self-paying students) and the maintenance amount of £10,224. These funds have to have been in your account for a minimum of 28-consecutive days immediately prior to applying for your visa. If the amount in your account drops below the required amount, the 28-day period starts over. International students who will be studying for more than 6 months are permitted to work for 20 hours per week during term-time, though this may be increased during the holiday periods. Please note this must not be relied upon as a means to fund your studies, as you have to evidence your funding when applying for your Student Visa.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
Scottish Higher
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Scottish HND - Pass
Applicants must have one or both of Maths and/or English qualifications before starting the programme. Applicants missing EITHER the Maths OR English requirements will be able to undertake ONE of these through our Online Access course during Year 3. It must be successfully completed at the required grade before entry onto the PGDE. If not achieved, progression onto the PGDE will not be permitted.
Additional entry requirements
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
A Protection of Vulnerable Group (PVG) check through Disclosure Scotland will be conducted by the University during your first year with the University (Year 3 of the BA Programme). This is required of all applicants who firmly accept an unconditional offer of admission (so their status is UF), even those who have been checked previously. For non UK applicants, or UK applicants who have lived outside the UK for any period of time, an Enhanced criminal record check through Disclosure Scotland will be conducted at the point they become UF and in addition, it will be necessary for the applicant to obtain a criminal record check from the country they are from/lived in. Applicants who firmly accept conditional offers of admission will not undergo PVG unless they move to UF on receipt of exam results. Applicants who make Aberdeen their insurance choice will not undergo PVG unless their status at Aberdeen shows UF.
Interview
An interview forms part of the selection process at Aberdeen as candidates are beginning their professional qualification from year three with placement in year 4 of the course. The information presented in the UCAS Application will be used to determine whether or not an applicant is invited for interview. Performance at interview will determine whether or not any offer will be made, and will help ensure candidates are selecting the correct pathway. For entry in September 2025 only, applicants will require to be interviewed again before commencing the PGDE in August 2026 in line with GTCS regulations.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Overall - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 5.5 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 90 | TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition: Overall - 90 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 18 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above. DI code is 0818 |
| PTE Academic | 62 | Overall - 62 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online Test is not accepted |
| Institution's Own Test | Academic English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE) - Pass (valid for one year) Academic English Preparation Programme undertaken at other UK HEI - accredited by BALEAP and within 1 year of start of course |
To study for a postgraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations. We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, through the degree you undertook or are undertaking at university, or through a recognised English language test. Postgraduate Standard requirements are used by the Schools of Biological Sciences; Engineering; Geosciences; Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition; Natural and Computing Sciences; and Psychology. Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your course, unless otherwise stated.
Please use the checklist at the following webpage to determine how you can meet our English language requirements:
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/requirements-pg-266.php
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| EU | £20800 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| International | £20800 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
EU/International Applicants: When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country, and arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs.
Sponsorship information
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen. International Students: The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme. This scholarship is in the form of a tuition fee waiver. To be eligible students must be registering for a full-time, on-campus programme and cannot be in receipt of external scholarships or other University of Aberdeen scholarships, except for awards granted by the University of Aberdeen Development Trust. Please note that the scholarship does not apply to the DPLP or Medicine. View the University of Aberdeen Online Prospectus programme page to find out about any scholarships and funding you may be eligible to apply for.
Provider information
University of Aberdeen
Directorate of External Relations
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX