Course summary
Accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland, this professional qualifying programme provides initial teacher education to meet the latest demands of contemporary primary and nursery schools. The aim of the programme is to produce adaptable, flexible teachers able to collaborate and cooperate with other professionals, ready to face challenges of teaching in the 21st century and 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. It is also offered on a part-time basis, over 18 months, in conjunction with specific local authorities. Where a degree qualification is an undergraduate degree, preference may be given to those who have, by the date of entry, an honours degree. In addition, preference may be given to those holding the English and Mathematics qualifications at the time of application. 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
You can no longer submit a new application for courses starting in 2023.
If you already have a 2023 application and are in Clearing, you can add this course as a Clearing choice – contact the university or college first to check they have places.
25Jan
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. 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. 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. 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. In all cases, applicants are required to read our PGDE 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/education/documents/PDGE%20Primary%20Information%20Leaflet%202021.pdf
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. 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. The PVG check is required because the first placement takes place in the January following the start of term in the September.
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. Interviews, face to face, take place in Aberdeen - the normal location is within the School of Education, based in the MacRobert building. Interviews by Skype will be arranged in exceptional cases and only for those who are overseas or who are living outside the EU. All other applicants invited for interview will be expected to travel to Aberdeen. 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 15 January 2020 should receive a decision by 31 March 2020.
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. 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 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. Meeting the minimum entry requirements does not entitle an applicant to an interview or an offer of admission. The Personal Statement plays a critical role in determining suitability to be invited for interview. Selected applicants are invited to attend an interview to gauge suitability for entry to initial teacher education.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 5.5 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 90 | Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 18 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above. |
| PTE Academic | 62 | Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. |
| Institution's Own Test | Academic English Pre-sessional Programmes - Pass (valid for one year) OR Academic English Preparation Programme - Pass at Level Four (valid for one year). |
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 | £20800 | Year 1 |
| International | £20800 | Year 1 |
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