Course summary
The Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary) is a one year (36 weeks) full-time course of professional training accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland to meet the latest demands of contemporary primary and nursery schools. If you are interested in embarking on a rewarding and fulfilling career, where you can really make a difference, our PGDE programmes give you the opportunity to get a teaching qualification in just 36 weeks. The aim of the programme is to produce adaptable, flexible teachers who are able to collaborate and cooperate with other professionals, ready to the face challenges of teaching in the 21st century and to commit to the notion of life-long learning. The University of Aberdeen offers an innovative PGDE programme that brings together primary and secondary specialists, in order to learn together, to share common experiences, and to debate current educational issues. The development of the programme aims to produce inclusive practitioners who will be able to face the challenges of the 21st century classroom, by adopting innovative pedagogies that support all learners and foster collaborative working. The PGDE programme is offered on a full-time basis over 36 weeks with 18 weeks spent on placement in schools in our partner Local Authorities, and the other 18 weeks spent on campus. The Programme is accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland. The PGDE Primary full-time programme offers students a blended model of learning. During campus-based weeks, students will be on campus for up to five days, Monday through to Friday. Beyond this, students will engage with online learning at a time and place of their choice. This structure is designed to offer individuals flexibility, whilst being committed to the requirements of the full-time PGDE programme. During school experience placements, students are required to be in school on a full-time basis, with the exception of Placement+ days. On these 10 Placement+ days, (5 in each placement) students work from home, where they meet online with their University tutor, and tutorial group, in order to discuss the essential links between theory and practice. These LinC (Learning in Context) tutors will provide consistent relational support across the whole PGDE year. The programme is aimed at graduates who have demonstrated an interest in teaching children through a range of experiences in both formal and informal settings. Applying The method of applying for the PGDE programme within the School of Education is different from the standard postgraduate application process. All applications should be made through the main Undergraduate UCAS scheme and not through Teacher Training. This applies to all institutions in Scotland delivering the PGDE, not just Aberdeen.
Modules
The PGDE Primary programme at Aberdeen aims to support student teachers as they embark on their professional journey of becoming an inclusive practitioner and facilitating the learning of all young people whilst developing a reflective, reflexive and enquiring disposition.
Assessment method
There are two 5000-word in-course assignments within the programme. The first focuses around the student's professional development towards becoming an inclusive practitioner, and the second a reflective enquiry into an aspect of a student's professional practice. Students are assessed on School Experience courses through a combination of Tutor (after observation visits) and School Reports on their progress.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- General Teaching Council for Scotland
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Primary
How to apply
31Jan
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:
- X100
- Institution code:
- A20
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
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 to arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs. Students who pay overseas or full fees are not in publicly funded places and are therefore not eligible to join the Teacher Induction Scheme. An Induction Year post will therefore not be allocated after successfully completing the PGDE Programme.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
Scottish Higher
GCSE/National 4/National 5
For entry to the University of Aberdeen, all PGDE Primary applicants must have, by the time term commences, the following: 1. Degree; 2. English and 3. Maths (further details shown below). Preference may be given to those who have, by the date of entry, an honours degree. In addition, preference is most likely to be given to those holding the English and Mathematics qualifications at the time of application. 1. DEGREE: An undergraduate degree validated by a University in the United Kingdom or an undergraduate degree of an equivalent standard from a higher education system outside the United Kingdom. 2. ENGLISH - SCE Higher grade award in English at Grade C or above. Please note that Higher ESOL is NOT accepted for entry onto the PGDE Primary or MA Primary Education. 3. MATHS - National 5 Mathematics at Grade C or above - equivalencies for English and Maths are accepted and are detailed in the PGDE Primary Information Leaflet. 4. Language/Science In addressing the Scottish Government Languages Working Group report; Language Learning in Scotland A 1+2 Approach (2012) and the STEM Education and Training Strategy, the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) encourage universities to expect at least one SCQF Level 5 (e.g. National 5) qualification in either a modern language and / or a science subject. 5. Educational Background Universities are required to ensure that an applicant’s educational background (including the content of the undergraduate degree), provides a good basis for becoming a primary teacher. The University of Aberdeen will therefore look for evidence that an applicant has studied at least two of the following areas (as well as English and Mathematics) – science, social studies, expressive arts, religious and moral education, technology and modern foreign languages. Therefore you should be prepared to provide a copy of the full TRANSCRIPT of your Undergraduate Degree once you have submitted your application through UCAS. University of Aberdeen Online English and Mathematics The University of Aberdeen has launched three online access courses, one in English at SCQF Level 6 and two in Mathematics, one at SCQF Level 6 and one at SCQF Level 5. All three are accepted by the University of Aberdeen for entry to teacher education. We ask for Grade C3 or better for English and Maths so this is Grade A1, A2, A3 or Grade B1, B2, B3 or Grade C1, C2, C3. Full information on the Online provision, including costs, can be found at www.abdn.ac.uk/study/online/accesscourses.php Previous Initial Teacher Education Study The University of Aberdeen requires that applicants who have failed the PGDE Programme, or any programme of Initial Teacher Education at the University of Aberdeen, or elsewhere, or who have withdrawn from a programme whilst making unsatisfactory progress, must wait 3 years before applying for PGDE study at Aberdeen. If reapplying, candidates must provide evidence prior to interview that they have taken action to address previously unsatisfactory performance. In all cases, applicants are required to read our PGDE Primary Information Leaflet before submitting an application.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/degree-programmes/991/primary-education/
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 prior to final acceptance. This is required of all applicants who accept an offer of admission, 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, in accepting an offer of admission, an Enhanced criminal record check through Disclosure Scotland will be conducted and in addition, it will be necessary for the applicant to obtain a criminal record check from the country they are from/lived in.
Interview
Not all who apply will be invited for interview. Selected applicants are invited to attend an interview to gauge suitability for entry to initial teacher education. Following the interviews, and based on the number of places available, offers are made via UCAS. Offers will either be unconditional or conditional. All entrants to the PGDE programme must hold the relevant entry requirements prior to commencement of studies. Places available are set by the Scottish Government, through the Scottish Funding Council and Universities are advised of their allocated places, usually in the February of each year. Under the UCAS protocols, those who apply by the UCAS Equal Consideration Deadline in January, should receive a decision by May of the same year. Interviews, will generally be held online via Microsoft Teams. If you are invited to interview you will receiveadditional guidance about the process.
Other
Applicants for the PGDE programme must first demonstrate that they will be able to meet the minimum entry requirements. The University of Aberdeen expects to see in the Personal Statement reference to significant mainstream Primary classroom experience and that applicants reflect upon this as appropriate when they are applying for the Primary programme. The duration and length of each experience should be detailed in the Personal Statement. Consideration is then given to the content of the application and the skills and experience relevant to teaching. References: References for applications to the PGDE should be Academic or Professional in nature (for example a University Tutor or Employer). Where applicants have gained recent experience in a mainstream school setting, it is recommended that a reference is given from School Staff. The referee should have had contact with the applicant within the past 5 years. References will not be accepted from family, friends or acquaintances.
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 | £9250 | Year 1 |
| EU | £20800 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | 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
View the University of Aberdeen Online Prospectus programme page to find out about any scholarships and funding you may be able to apply for.
Provider information
University of Aberdeen
Directorate of External Relations
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX