Introduction to the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)

The Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) is a graduate entry route for those who want to become a primary or secondary teacher in Scotland. The PGDE is an internationally recognised qualification, and newly qualified teachers will be able to apply for qualified teacher status (QTS) or equivalent in their home country.

Key Facts

• Start date: August
• Accreditation: General Teaching Council for Scotland
• Study mode and duration: 36 weeks full-time, including 18 weeks of placement experience
• UCAS Code: 3X56
• Gaelic Medium UCAS Code: 3X75

Why this Course?

Teaching is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding careers you can pursue – you'll shape the minds of tomorrow! This course will provide the theoretical and practical starting point to your teaching career. You'll acquire the skills, attitudes, and competencies to communicate in the classroom.

What you’ll Study

You’ll learn the theories behind teaching practices and explore these throughout the year. You'll gain the skills necessary to become the best teacher you can be. You'll also see the relevance of everything you're learning come alive while on placement. Classes are held on campus, and you'll carry out three placements in two different schools throughout the year.

Course Content

• Compulsory classes
  • Education Studies; Professional Values
  • Professional Learning Through Enquiry
  • Professional Skills
    • Curriculum and Pedagogy
    • Professional Practice
• Optional classes

Learning & Teaching

The course encourages active and participative styles of learning in order to meet your professional needs and to promote a commitment to continuing professional development.

Assessment

To be awarded the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education, you must pass all course modules.

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for PGDE courses are based on the requirements set by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). The minimum entry requirements are:

• An ordinary degree, or international equivalent
• Evidence that the applicant has also studied at least two of the following areas (as well as Maths and English):
  • Science
  • Social studies
  • Expressive arts
  • Religious and moral education
  • Technology
  • Languages
• SCQF Level 6 English Grade C or above (for example, Higher Grade)
• SCQF Level 5 Mathematics Grade C or above (for example, National 5)
• Evidence of experience of working with children in a primary school or related setting
• An understanding of modern primary education
• An ability to relate to people

Fees & Funding

All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.

• Scotland: TBC
• England, Wales & Northern Ireland: TBC
• Republic of Ireland: If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status.
• International: £19,850
• Additional costs:
  • Placements & field trips: Travel to schools
  • PVG Scheme (Protection of Vulnerable Groups): £59 membership fee, £18 for existing members
  • Visa & immigration: International students may have associated visa and immigration costs.

Careers

The PGDE qualification is required for employment as a teacher in a primary school. It qualifies you to teach in locations worldwide. Following the probationary period, it can provide a starting point for a clearly defined career structure within primary education. The promoted posts in primary schools are principal teacher, depute head teacher, and head teacher.

Conclusion

The Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) is a graduate entry route for those who want to become a primary or secondary teacher in Scotland. The course provides the theoretical and practical starting point to your teaching career, and it is an internationally recognised qualification. With experience, teachers in Scotland can apply for posts as Principal Teacher, Deputy Head, or Head Teacher. A number of graduates will become lecturers on initial teacher education courses, HM Inspectors, or take on other development roles at Education Scotland or with the General Teaching Council for Scotland.

Course content

Compulsory classes

Optional classes

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Education Studies; Professional Values

In this module, you'll explore the theoretical underpinnings of education. You'll be encouraged to engage with issues of the nature and the purpose of education, social justice and equality, and practice and policy in relation to ethical and political ideas. Throughout this module, we aim to disrupt and expand your thinking about education. You'll be asked to reflect on your values and beliefs in relation to a range of educational questions and issues and you will be presented with questions designed to challenge and refine your current thinking.

The module will give you opportunities to consider how theoretical underpinnings relate to the classroom; how your developing understanding translates into the education context; and how your own values and beliefs interact with your developing professional identity. Human Rights and Learning for Sustainability together form the basic architecture of this module.

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Professional Learning Through Enquiry

This module aims to develop you as an enquiring self-reflective practitioner who is able to work collaboratively to develop skills, knowledge and expertise in an area of professional practice. You'll be supported to develop as an autonomous, transformative leader of change.

Across the globe there is a growing call for education systems to be responsive to the increasingly dynamic, complex and fast-changing nature of society. Through this module, you'll develop the skills and expertise necessary to respond to the changing circumstances of the learning communities you encounter.

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Professional Skills

Curriculum and Pedagogy

Professional Practice

Taught both on campus and in schools, this module will enable you to become an effective teacher through learning pedagogical theory, observing experienced teachers and applying your knowledge and understanding in the practical context.

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Masters Credits

You have the opportunity to achieve up to 120 credits at Masters level which can be used towards further study following the course. This is fully supported by additional input during the programme.

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Quinn Thurston

One of the biggest draws for me was that I could do my degree in under a year here whereas in Canada a post-graduate degree in education is two years in nearly every university. I didn't want to go back to school for another two years, I felt my career was already underway and so Strathclyde's single year program was the only one that felt right to me.

Find out more about Quinn

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Robin Young

You're going to learn a lot. Be ready for the information you'll have coming your way. It may not all make sense to you upfront, but your placements will put everything into perspective.

Find out more about Robin's Strathlife

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Akansha Sharma

The highlight of my PGDE was being able to build relationships with my placement classes and it’s such a satisfying moment when you’re teaching them something and that lightbulb moment happens and they just get it and they do something they couldn’t do yesterday. And that feeling as a teacher is so rewarding.

More about Arkansha's experience

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Learning & teaching

The course encourages active and participative styles of learning in order to meet your professional needs and to promote a commitment to continuing professional development.

The hours for the full-time course are 9am to 5pm. You’re expected to be working on course-related activity during those hours.

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Assessment

To be awarded the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education, you must pass all course modules.

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Course work

Each class includes course work that involves group or independent study on specified tasks. This may involve presentations and written reports. Although these are not assessed formally they are essential learning experiences and are course requirements.

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Careers

The PGDE qualification is required for employment as a teacher in a primary school. It qualifies you to teach in locations world-wide. Following the probationary period, it can provide a starting point for a clearly defined career structure within primary education. The promoted posts in primary schools are principal teacher, depute head teacher and head teacher.

With experience, teachers in Scotland can apply for posts as Principal Teacher, Deputy Head or Head Teacher. A number of graduates will become lecturers on initial teacher education courses, HM Inspectors or take on other development roles at Education Scotland or with the General Teaching Council for Scotland. While the course is directed mainly to the Scottish education system, the qualification is widely recognised in the rest of the UK, Ireland and in schools across the globe.

Many graduates from Strathclyde also enjoy the benefits of the Teacher Induction Scheme, which provides the offer of a one-year post in a local authority school to all Scottish students who have paid Home fees. The GTCS, in partnership with the Scottish Government, is responsible for the administration of the scheme. More information on the TIS can be found on the GTCS website.

Learn more about what happens after your PDGE.

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Work anywhere in Scotland

The Preference Waiver Scheme is a scheme whereby a student teacher on TIS agrees to be allocated to their one year post anywhere in Scotland. The additional financial incentive is in the region of £8,000.

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Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city

Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.

Life in Glasgow

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Overview:

• Founded in 1796 as Anderson's Institution
• Received its Royal Charter in 1964, becoming the University of Strathclyde
• Consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the UK for engineering and technology
• Home to the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), a world-leading research center in metal forming
• Notable alumni include Sir James Black (Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine), Sir David Murray (former CEO of Rangers Football Club), and Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell (astrophysicist)

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Student Life:

• Over 23,000 students from over 100 countries
• 150+ student clubs and societies, including sports teams, cultural groups, and academic societies
• Student support services include counseling, health, and disability support
• Campus facilities include a sports center, library, and student union

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Academics:

• Offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, science, business, law, and social sciences
• Faculty includes world-renowned experts in their fields
• Teaching methodologies emphasize hands-on learning and industry engagement
• Academic support services include tutoring, writing centers, and language support
• Unique academic programs include the Strathclyde MBA, which is ranked among the top 100 MBAs in the world

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

• Excellent reputation for teaching and research, particularly in engineering and technology
• Strong industry connections and opportunities for internships and placements
• Specialized facilities such as the AFRC and the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
• Vibrant student life with a diverse and inclusive community
• Located in the heart of Glasgow, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city

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Services:

• Counseling and mental health support
• Health center with a range of medical services
• Accommodation services with a variety of on-campus and off-campus options
• Library resources with over 1 million books and journals
• Technology support including IT services and free Wi-Fi
• Career development services with support for job searching, CV writing, and interview preparation