Program Overview

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Education (Secondary STEM Subjects) (Dumfries campus) PGDE

The Education (Secondary STEM Subjects) (Dumfries campus) PGDE programme is a GTCS-accredited qualification that combines classroom learning with comprehensive placements throughout Dumfries & Galloway. This programme is designed to help students develop a career in STEM teaching within secondary schools.

Why this programme

• This programme is accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), giving students the qualification to pursue teaching roles in schools across the UK.
• The programme offers students a flexible model of learning through either a full-time or part-time pathway.
• As an aspiring teacher, this programme will provide students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to become a committed professional in today's schools.
• Building on students' subject-specific knowledge, they will be supported to develop creative ways to enthuse and educate young people.
• With an emphasis on reflective practice linked to professional standards, students will develop skills to become a reflective practitioner in the classroom.
• This programme offers the opportunity for dual qualification in two STEM subjects (dependent upon graduate qualifications of 80 SCQF credit points for each subject).

Programme structure

The PGDE STEM subjects programme offers students a flexible model of learning through either a full-time or part-time pathway.

• The full-time PGDE is a one academic year programme (August-May), incorporating two blocks of school experience placements.
• The part-time PGDE is a two academic years programme (year 1: August - May; year 2: August - May), incorporating three blocks of school experience placements.
• During school experience placements, students are required to be in school in blocks of placement following a full-time schedule (five days a week) or a part-time schedule (two/three days a week).
• The programme offers a wide range of courses in both single and dual qualification routes:
  • Single qualification route: one main subject qualification
  • Dual qualification route: registration in two subjects (subject to minimum entry requirements and discussion at interview on a case-by-case basis)

Core courses

The programme will prepare students to meet the demands of the profession through the following areas of study:

• Understanding Learning And Teaching
• Professional Enquiry
• PGDE with Teaching Qualification: School Experience

Career prospects

The School of Social & Environmental Sustainability has been in partnership with Dumfries & Galloway Council since 2008, and many graduating MA Primary Education and PGDE Education teachers find employment in the region.

• On successful completion, students will be awarded the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) teaching qualification to pursue teaching roles in schools.
• The programme is designed to address the shortage of STEM teachers in secondary schools, not just in D&G but across Scotland.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for PGDE

• International & EU: full-time fee ｣26,460
• Scotland: full-time fee ｣1,820
• Rest of UK: full-time fee ｣9,790

Additional fees

• Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): ｣370
• Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: ｣350
• Registration/exam only fee: ｣170

Funding opportunities

• Chevening Scholarship
• Commonwealth Scholarship Schemes
• Colfuturo Fundacion para el Futuro de Colombia
• Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loans England only (PTFL)
• Postgraduate Loans for Welsh Students
• Postgraduate Student Loan (Scotland and EU)
• Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans
• India Excellence Award
• Postgraduate Student Loan (NI)
• DAAD-University of Glasgow 1-year Masters grant
• Glasgow Highland Society Scholarship

Entry requirements

The programme is aimed at graduates with relevant subject content in their academic study, who have demonstrated an interest in teaching children through a range of experiences in both formal and informal settings.

Academic entry requirements

• Degree: An undergraduate degree in a recognised STEM subject.
• English: National Qualifications in English at SCQF Level 6 (for example, Higher Grade) or an accepted alternative.
• Mathematics: National Qualifications in Mathematics at SCQF Level 5 (for example, National 5, Standard Grade or Intermediate 2) or an accepted alternative.

Accepted alternative qualifications in English and Mathematics

English

• Scottish Higher English at Grade C or above
• Advanced Higher English at Grade C
• A Level English at Grade C
• GCSE/IGCSE English Language AND English Literature at Grade C / 4 (both qualifications must be achieved)
• International Baccalaureate English at HL 4 / SL 6
• Irish Leaving Certificate Higher English at Grade C2 / H4
• SQA National Units at Higher Level in both Communication (NC) and Literature 1
• SCQF Level 6 Online English Access Course offered by the University of Aberdeen
• University level modules (SCQF level 7 or above) that cover sufficient English Literature content.

Maths

• National 5 Maths (or Lifeskills Maths) at Grade C or above
• Intermediate Level 2 Mathematics at Grade C
• Standard Grade Credit Mathematics at Grade 2
• O Grade Mathematics at Grade A
• Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher Mathematics at Grade C
• A Level Mathematics at Grade C
• GCSE/IGCSE Mathematics at Grade C / 4
• International Baccalaureate Maths at HL 3 / SL 4
• Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Mathematics at Grade C3 / H5
• Irish Leaving Certificate Ordinary Mathematics at Grade B3 / O3
• SCQF Level 5 or 6 Online Mathematics Access Course offered by the University of Aberdeen at Grade C
• Open University MU123 Discovering Mathematics credits 30
• SQA National Units in BOTH Core Mathematics 4 (D11V) and Mathematics: Analysis/Algebra 1 (D11W)

Personal Statement, Experience and Reference

Applicants who meet or have the potential to meet the academic entry requirements will be considered for a place on the programme, and their personal statement and reference will be reviewed.

Interview

Interviews will be held from December, and invitations will be updated on UCAS where applicants can accept, decline, or request a reschedule.

Disclosure Scotland

If accepted to the PGDE, students must undertake a criminal conviction check prior to enrolment.

Fitness to practise

Where a programme of study requires the student to act in the course of practical training in a quasi-professional role in relation to patients, children, clients, or service-users, or where the qualification provides a direct licence to practise, the University has a duty to ensure that the student is fit to practise.

English language requirements

For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training): 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
• TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome): 90 overall with no subtest less than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
• Pearsons PTE Academic: 65 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 60; Speaking 65; Writing 60
• Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): 176 overall with no subtest less than 169
• Oxford English Test: 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
• LanguageCert Academic/ Academic Online: 70 overall with no subtest less than 65
• Password Skills Plus: 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
• Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II: Two subtests at 96 or higher, and two subtests at 80 or higher
• Kaplan Test of English: Any two subtests at 480 or higher, and any two subtests at 450 or higher
• University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses: Tests are accepted for 2 years following the date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

• Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
• Undergraduate 2+2 and 3+1 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses.