Program Overview

Program Overview

The Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) is a well-recognised teaching qualification worldwide, regulated by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and the Scottish Government. This program prepares students for a career in teaching, focusing on secondary education in business studies.

Key Facts

• Start date: August
• Study mode and duration: Full-time: 36 weeks, including 18 weeks of placement experience; Part-time: two years, including 18 weeks of full-time placement experience
• UCAS code: 8X53
• Gaelic Medium UCAS code: 8X54

Why This Course?

The PGDE in Business Education course equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to teach business education. Students learn from on-campus classes and 18 weeks of placements in schools, becoming qualified to teach in locations worldwide. The course offers the opportunity to achieve 80 Masters-level credits, and funded places are available for Scottish/Home students.

Course Content

The PGDE is modular in structure, with students studying three modules across the year:

• Education Studies; Professional Values
• Professional Learning Through Enquiry
• Professional Skills, including Curriculum and Pedagogy, and Professional Practice

Placement

Students spend 18 weeks of the course on placement in a school within Scotland, where they are continually assessed to meet the requirements for the Standards for Provisional Registration. Placement is an opportunity for students to put their learning into practice, explore their teaching style, and develop relationships with pupils.

Future Employment

Graduates are eligible to join the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS), which provides a guaranteed one-year training post in a local authority. The PGDE is a well-recognised teaching qualification worldwide, and graduates can teach in another country by contacting the relevant education authority to check their eligibility.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements include:

• An ordinary degree or international equivalent
• At least 80 credits at Level 7 or 8 from at least two of the following subject areas: Accounting, Economics, Business or Business Management
• Evidence of Information Technology skills
• Higher (SCQF Level 6) English Grade C or above
• National 5 (SCQF Level 5) Mathematics Grade C or above
• A suitable minimum level of competency in the English language if the first language is not English

Fees and Funding

• Scotland: To be confirmed
• England, Wales & Northern Ireland: To be confirmed
• 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
• Available funding: Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities

Careers

A degree in education equips students for a range of careers working with children and young people. Most PGDE graduates go on to work as teachers in secondary schools across the country. Typical jobs include Secondary Teacher, Head Teacher, Further Education Lecturer, and Special Educational Needs Teacher. The skills required for these roles include excellent communication, a good imagination and creativity, organisational and time-management skills, patience, and the ability to work as part of a team. The current main salary scales for secondary school teachers range from £31,584 to £47,565.