Program Overview

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Introduction to the Religious Education by Distance Learning Programme

The Religious Education by Distance Learning (CREDL) programme is a postgraduate certificate designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Catholic Christian theology and its application in educational settings. This programme is particularly suited for Catholic teachers seeking to teach Religious Education in Catholic schools.

Programme Overview

The CREDL programme is delivered online through distance learning, allowing students to complete the certificate in 12 months on a part-time basis. The programme focuses on the main tenets of Catholic Christian theology, the Catholic vision of education, and the methodology appropriate to Catholic religious education in primary and secondary schools.

Programme Structure

The programme consists of two core courses:

• CREDL: Aspects of Theological Education 1
• CREDL: Aspects of Theological Education 2 For each course, students will produce a portfolio and a 1,500-word essay.

Programme Outcomes

Upon completion of the programme, students will:

• Gain knowledge of the scriptures, doctrines, morals, and practices of the Catholic faith
• Understand the roles of scripture, language, liturgy, signs, and symbols in the traditions and insights of Catholic education
• Appreciate the stages of personal religious and moral development and the appropriate educational responses to these
• Explore approaches to learning and teaching in religious education, relating methods and practices to subject content, curriculum development, and faith formation
• Interpret and contextualize a range of biblical, doctrinal, and religious principles and beliefs, and develop and implement appropriate educational experiences based upon these
• Gain positive, varied, and motivating contexts for learning and personal growth in religious education, based upon confidence in using the syllabus, resources, and strategies of the subject area
• Continual critical enquiry and personal development in values and religious education
• Develop sensitivity to culture, authority, belonging, and tradition in religion
• Research into the relationship of faith to life, to religious practice, to tolerance, and to respect for difference
• Develop reflective professional practice in the broad interpersonal, spiritual, and philosophical dimensions of education

Fees and Funding

The tuition fees for the CREDL programme are as follows:

• UK part-time only fees: ｣455 per 30 credits Scottish Government funding includes this route to gaining the Catholic Teaching Certificate, and there will be no charge for anyone applying for this course if they currently hold a teaching post in Scotland or are enrolled on an ITE programme at a Scottish University.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for the CREDL programme, applicants must:

• Hold a teaching qualification or be a student on a programme of initial teacher education
• Meet the English language requirements, which include:
  • IELTS Academic and Academic Online: 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
  • TOEFL (ibt, mybest, or at home): 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

Applicants may also demonstrate their English language proficiency through:

• A degree from a majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI), where the applicant has studied for a minimum of their final year at the undergraduate level or 9 months at the master's level, and has completed their degree within the last 6 years
• Undergraduate 2+2 and 3+1 degrees from a majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI), where the applicant has completed their final year of study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years

Pre-sessional Courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. These courses provide direct entry to the university programme for successful students, essential academic skills to help students study effectively at the university, and flexible entry dates to join the right course for their level.