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Secondary Education, PGDE

Introduction

The Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) is a one year (36 weeks) full-time course of professional training accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland.

This programme is studied on campus.

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.

Aberdeenshire Student Incentive Scheme for Teaching (ASIST)

The Aberdeenshire Student Incentive Scheme for Teaching (ASIST) supports you in your new career through mentorship and financial support. Crucially, it also guarantees you employment experience for two years after Probation, setting your new career on a firm footing.

If you are intending to apply for a PDGE place with us, once you hold an offer from the University of Aberdeen you will be eligible and apply to the ASIST scheme.

Find out more about ASIST

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Key Programme Information

At a Glance

Learning Mode
On Campus Learning
Degree Qualification
PGDE
Duration
10 months
Study Mode
Full Time
Start Month
August

Related Information

What You'll Study

Please contact study@abdn.ac.uk for more information about this programme.

Course Availability

We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to timetabling and other constraints. Please see our InfoHub pages for further information.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

  • Lectures
  • Research
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Assessment Methods

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.

Interested in this Degree?

Call +44 (0)1224 272090 Enquire Now Using an online form Next Steps Find out how to apply

Entry Requirements

Please ensure that you read in full the PGDE Information Leaflet available at the top of the page. In addition to the following entry requirements, a PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Group) check through Disclosure Scotland will be conducted by the University prior to final acceptance.

Qualifications

The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.

A degree from a higher education institution in the United Kingdom (including Open University), or a degree of an equivalent standard from an institution outside the United Kingdom. The degree should minimally contain 80 SCQF credit points relevant to the teaching qualification or qualifications being studied. 40 of the credit points must have been studied at SCQF level 8 or above.

In addition formal qualifications are required in English and Mathematics, please see the information leaflet (linked on this page).

The University of Aberdeen Online Access Courses are suitable to meet the English and Mathematics requirements for this programme.

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 - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

TOEFL iBT:

OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

PTE Academic:

OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 51; Reading - 51; Speaking - 51; Writing - 54

Cambridge English Advanced & Proficiency:

OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; 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 Transcript
a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)

International Applicants

Fees and Funding

You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.

Fee information
Fee category Cost
Home / EU £1,820
Tuition Fees for 2019/20 Academic Year
International Students £15,300
Tuition Fees for 2019/20 Academic Year
RUK £9,250
Tuition Fees for 2019/20 Academic Year

International non-EU Applicants

Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen

Additional Fees

  • In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
  • For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our InfoHub Tuition Fees page.

Our Funding Database

View all funding options in our Funding Database.

Careers

Please see attached PGDE information leaflet for further career information.

Career Opportunities

  • Teacher

Accreditation

General Teaching Council of Scotland

This degree holds accreditation from

What our Alumni Say

Callum Kerry

Callum Kerry

Callum Kerry

Job Details
Biology Teacher
Graduated 2018

I selected PGDE at University of Aberdeen due to the combined primary and secondary student classes and because the themes of social justice and inclusion were threaded right through the course. I also liked that each secondary subject gets a whole day in their own subject with a specialist tutor. This allows student groups to bond and get to know each other very well and creates a great support group throughout PGDE and beyond.

Find out More

Our Experts

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; please see our InfoHub pages for further information.

Get in Touch

Contact Details

Address
Student Recruitment & Admissions Service
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX