Dawn Parry
Pastoral Care, Guidance & Pupil Support, MEd, PgCert or PgDip
Introduction
This online programme aims to develop knowledge and skills in the field of support and pastoral care. All participants are expected to have some practical experience to offer and have the opportunity to be involved in aspects of supporting young people in their educational workplace setting or other appropriate agency.
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- Online Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MEd, PgCert or PgDip
- Duration
- 12 months, 24 months or 36 months
- Study Mode
- Part Time
- Start Month
- September or January
This postgraduate programme is open to all professionals who have a caring role with young people.
It meets the continuing professional development needs of those who wish to extend their skills and knowledge into new areas of guidance, care and support which pertain within their establishment, but in particular, within an educational setting.
The general aims of the programme are to extend the skills, knowledge and understanding of the participants in the following ways:
- critical evaluation and application of advanced professional knowledge and understanding;
- commitment to critical self-evaluation and development;
- enhanced and highly effective professional performance;
- personal and professional commitment to an extended professional role and wider professional vision;
- advocacy of change and professional action aimed at the development and improvement of practice;
- development of professional values and knowledge through reflective and evidence-based practice;
- working with others to bring about change and improvement to practice;
- bridging theory and practice and critically applying and challenging research findings.
In addition, each module has specific aims relevant to the content covered.
Available Programmes of Study
- MEd
-
Pastoral Care, Guidance & Pupil Support
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start MonthMEd 36 months Online Learning Part Time September or January More - PgCert
-
Pastoral Care, Guidance & Pupil Support
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start MonthPgCert 12 months Online Learning Part Time September or January More - PgDip
-
Pastoral Care, Guidance & Pupil Support
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start MonthPgDip 24 months Online Learning Part Time September MoreStage 1
Optional Courses
Select ONE course from EACH of the following options:
- ED501U Care and Support in Action (30 credits points) OR ED50BZ Managing Personal Support in Schools (30 credit points)
AND
- ED50CB Counselling and Mentoring Approaches in Educational Settings (30 credit points) OR ED502Y Mentoring in Professional Contexts (30 credit points)
Stage 2
To gain a Postgraduate Diploma, in addition to the requirements for Postgraduate Certificate, you will require:
To take both of the following 15 credit research based modules: Critical Approaches to Academic Literature and Research Methods plus one of the option modules below.
Option modules are Personal and Social Development, Health and Wellbeing or Curriculum, Careers Guidance and Education for Enterprise.
Compulsory Courses
- Research Methods for Professional Learning (ED505S)
-
30 Credit Points
This course aims to provide participants with a critical working knowledge of the key aspects of research and enquiry, in the context of professional learning and the enhancement of professional practice. Participants will source and critically engage with relevant literature and other evidence to provide a backdrop to the design of a small-scale enquiry in professional context. Decisions taken during all aspects of enquiry design will be justified using evidence. Enquiry processes implemented will be critically evaluated, and implications for future practice uncovered.
Optional Courses
Students may choose 30 credit points from the following:
- ED554C Personal and Social Development, Health & Wellbeing (30 credit points) OR ED55CA Curriculum, Careers Guidance and Education for Enterprise (30 credit points)
- Personal and Social Development, Health and Wellbeing (ED554C)
-
30 Credit Points
Personal and social development linked to health and wellbeing is increasingly recognised as central to an effective education in which the potential of the whole individual is developed.
Curriculum for Excellence and Health and Wellbeing E&O’s emphasize the importance of planned approaches. This module is therefore designed to increase competence in identifying and meeting the developing needs of young people through effective planning.
The module covers aspects below:
- planning, development and delivery of inter-disciplinary programmes of PSHE including assessment, evaluation and improvement planning
- learner-centred approaches and the importance of a supportive climate
Programme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost EU / International students £2,300 Tuition Fees for 2023/24 Academic Year Charged on a modular basis. Fee quoted is per 30 credits. Home / RUK £790 Tuition Fees for 2023/24 Academic Year Charged on a modular basis. Fee quoted is per 30 credits.
We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to change. Further information about potential changes can be viewed here.
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programmes section above.
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including our refund policy, please visit our InfoHub Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships
Eligible self-funded international Masters students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Visit our Funding Database to find out more and see our full range of scholarships.
How You'll Study
Students and tutors work in a MyAberdeen virtual leading environment. A reasonable ability in ICT will therefore be necessary to cope with blended or e-learning delivery. Communication by web cam will be expected in addition. Modules will be taken on a part-time basis and participants are required to reach PG Diploma level (120 credits) normally within 2 years - 3 at the outset. It is expected that participants will have had some practical experience to share, be willing to work collaboratively in study buddy groups on set discussion tasks and have the opportunity to be involved in aspects of support in their workplace setting or other appropriate agency.
Learning Methods
- E-learning
- Individual Projects
- Research
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
A wide range of assessment instruments are deployed within and across courses to ensure the validity, reliability and vitality of assessment in support of personal growth and professional development.
Formative assessment is an important component of modules and programmes. Formative assessment may involve tutor, peer or self-assessment. Formatives are worth 25% each and the summative submission is worth 50% of the final grade.
Why Study Pastoral Care, Guidance & Pupil Support?
- This programme is held in high regard nationally and in particular by agency managers.
- The additional in-house practical experience can be a possible promotion route to the area of Guidance/Support.
- The programme is delivered online, enabling students to participate from all over Scotland and beyond.
- Few Universities offer a similar programme.
What Our Students Say
Entry Requirements
This postgraduate programme is open to all professionals who have a caring role with young people. It aims to provide a response to the continuing professional development needs of those who wish to extend their skills and knowledge into new areas of guidance, care and support which pertain within their establishment, but in particular, within an educational setting.
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Entry requirements for this programme as with other PGT programmes is an honours degree at 2:2 or above from a recognised university or body. In exceptional circumstances applicants without this qualification may be admitted at the discretion of the Programme Director subject to having an alternative qualification, or an approved level of experience, appropriate to the field of study.
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Certificate
- a degree certificate showing your qualifications
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
- Reference x 2
- two reference letters, one of which should be from your university discussing your academic ability. If you have been out of education for a long time you may wish to use your current or most recent employers, or other professional individuals
International Applicants
Should your programme necessitate a visit to the University you may find the following information helpful.
Careers
Qualifications gained by successful candidates often leads to enhanced promotional prospects in the candidates work place setting.
Career Opportunities
- Depute Head Teacher
- Faculty Head
- Guidance Teacher
- Head Teacher
Professional Links
Accreditation
This part-time, online programme is accredited by the University of Aberdeen and participants are drawn from full time teachers, mainly from the secondary educational sector, although it is open to primary and FE colleagues to join us. In addition, this programme is open to professionals in Health, Social Work and Community Education.
Our Experts
- Director
- Ms Sandra Paterson
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. Staff changes will occur from time to time.
Facilities
All course work is delivered within the MyAberdeen Ultra Virtual Learning Environment and through Blackboard Collaborate online meeting rooms.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
School of Education
University of Aberdeen
MacRobert Building
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 5UA