Education

Your induction to the MSci Counselling, Psychology and Education programme will commence on the week beginning Monday 14th September 2026. Across the University, this is Welcome Week for all new students starting at the University of Aberdeen. The University has a range of events organised for new students to attend.

During Welcome Week, the School of Education have organised a series of events for new MSci Counselling, Psychology and Education students to attend to support starting your learning journey at university. 

Year 1: Tuesday 15 September, 10am-12pm
Counselling Skills (Skills 1&2)
Mindfulness and Compassion for Wellbeing
Global Perspectives

Year 2: Wednesday 16 September, 10am-11:30am
Health and Wellbeing 
Child Development in Practice
Counselling Skills (Skills 3&4)

Year 3: Thursday 17 September, 12pm- 2pm
Mental Health in Education
Inclusive Practice
Counselling and Psychotherapy Theory and Research
Expressive Arts Education and Therapies

Year 4: Online (TBC)
ED401L: Introduction to Guidance and Pastoral Care 
CO4001/ CO4501: Counselling Project

MSci Counselling, Psychology and Education Team

• Terpsi Kaltsouni, Programme Director
• MSci Administration Team 
• Vicky Simpson, Disability Coordinator 
• Claire Molloy, Library Services

MA Primary Education programme

Your induction to the MA Primary Education programme will commence on the week beginning Monday 14 September 2026. The University also has a range of events organised for new students to attend during Welcome Week.

During Welcome Week, the School of Education have organised a series of events for new MA1 Primary Education students to attend to support starting your learning journey at university. Details about these events can be found below.

Monday 14 September 2026

MA1 Induction Lecture 

10.00am - 11.00am, MR051, MacRobert Building

This is the first session of your university studies. Information about the MA Primary Education programme, timetable and wider university groups will be shared with you.

MA1 Community Building Workshop

1.00pm - 3.00pm, MacRobert Building

This is a mandatory session to support all new MA1 students with their induction to the MA Primary Education programme. This session will provide a range of interactive experiences to get to know other students and work with our MA4 student teachers. We advise that you bring along a digital device to this session as well as some paper and pens.

Tuesday 15 September 2026

MA1 Support at University Lecture 

10.00am – 11.00am, MR051, MacRobert Building

This lecture aims to provide you with necessary information about how to access different forms of support while undertaking your studies on the MA Primary Education programme. During this lecture, you will hear from some guest speakers and key organisations with regards to the different forms of support available to our students.

MA1 Preparing for your studies Workshop 

12.00pm - 1.30pm, MR051, MacRobert Building

This workshop aims to provide you with some useful tips and guidance as you prepare to start your academic studies. This session will be interactive. We advise that you bring along a notepad and a pen.

Find out more information about the MA Primary Education programme in the Induction Handbook. This contains a series of information about key contacts and education courses. 

MA Induction handbook

Counselling Skills

Wednesday 16 September 2026

Counselling Skills returning students – (Online) Induction 

6pm to 8pm  – (Online) Induction 

Thursday 17 September 2026

UG Elective Student's Induction 

10.00am - 12noon, MR613, MacRobert Building

For further details on the Counselling Skills Inductions please email csk@abdn.ac.uk
Course Coordinator – Terpsi Kaltsouni  terpsichori.kaltsouni2@abdn.ac.uk

Please click on the link below to access a copy of the MA1 Timeline which contains a series of key dates regarding your studies.

In addition to your 2 core Education Courses in Term 1 (September – December), you will also undertake 2 elective courses as well. At the University of Aberdeen, there are a wide range of electives choices available for you to select as part of your studies. Information about choosing electives will be sent out to you by the University before you start your studies in September. 

Within the School of Education, we offer a range of electives choices. These have been created to support your professional knowledge, understanding and pedagogical skills as emerging teachers.

Further information about course content, assessments and the range of elective courses available for study can be located on the Course Catalogue.

Across the year, your engagement in your academic studies will be assessed in many different ways. Course assessments vary between courses and may include:

• academic essays/ reports
• group/ individual presentations
• participation in tutorial discussions
• School Experience Observations
• Academic posters

Every course will provide you with specific information about the course assessment. This information is included within individual course guides at the start of term.

Please also note that attendance at course lectures and tutorials is closely monitored by staff. Should your attendance drop without good cause, this may result in you attending a meeting with the Course Co-ordinator and Programme Director.

Starting university can be both a daunting but exciting time for you and your families. Please see below for some feedback from last year's MA1 Student Teachers about their time on the programme.

“I've really enjoyed my time on MA1. The range of tutorials and time on school experience has helped me learn more about becoming an effective primary school teacher.”

“In MA1, I really enjoyed the Early Years module. It really helped me find out more about child development which I have had very little experience of when I was on work experience in S6.”

“Having a School Experience placement in MA1 was a really good part of the course. It allowed me to find out more about the role of being a teacher and have an opportunity to work with different children in the class. My Supporter Teacher was very enthusiastic and gave me lots of advice to help me in my studies.”

“All the Tutors in the School of Education are very friendly and approachable. Any questions or queries are always well and answered.”

“My Tutors were very pleasant and were always eager to assist when I needed help.”

“I have found the whole MA1 course to be very engaging and rewarding. It can be challenging at times, but it pushes you to be the best teacher you can be.”

“I would definitely say the staff at the School of Education are a big highlight of the University of Aberdeen.”

“I can't compare to any other universities, but I already feel that studying at UoA will shape me into a strong educator with skills and ethics I may not have picked up at a different university.”

We are looking forward to welcoming you online to continue your learning journey with us.

You can get started now by working through the interactive modules on MyAberdeen course: Getting started at the University of Aberdeen which has been designed to take you through all of the essential information you will need for your student life. 

The programmes within the PGT and Pl portfolio are all unique and responsive to student needs, therefore they start at different dates and have different modes of delivery, please see MyAberdeen for the specifics for your programme.

Dr Charlaine Simpson
Head of Postgraduate Taught and Professional Learning
Charlaine.Simpson@abdn.ac.uk

Administrator
Rosemond Cochrane
Rosemond.cochrane@abdn.ac.uk