Program Overview

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Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Biology)

Overview

The Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Biology) is a postgraduate, full-time course designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to become effective teachers of Biology and science in secondary schools.

Mode of Study

• Full-time

Duration

• 1 year

Start Date

• August

UCAS Code

• C1X2

Placement

• Yes

Course Details

This is a one-year, full-time course, split into three trimesters. Starting in August, students will spend a total of 18 weeks in University and 18 weeks in secondary school placements over the duration of the course.

Course Details

Taught Modules

• Learning & Teaching 1
• Learning & Teaching 2
• Contexts of Learning
• Professional Enquiry
• School Experience

These four modules will help develop students' skills as dynamic and effective teachers. All modules are SCQF Level 11.

Learning & Teaching 1&2

These modules are related to knowledge of the curriculum and school placements. Students will explore effective methodologies, curriculum design, and keep up-to-date with current initiatives from the Scottish Government's "A Curriculum for Excellence" and "The Attainment Challenge" policies.

Contexts of Learning

This module will allow students to explore the theory and policy underpinning the educational system. Students will explore key themes such as behavior management, additional support needs, and more, both in theory and practice. Visiting experts will offer professional advice on complex issues.

Professional Enquiry

This module will prepare students to undertake an action research project. The project will be combined with an interdisciplinary project in the later placement, which will give invaluable insights into the complexities of making changes to practice and equip students with research methods.

School Experience 1

In this placement module, students will put into practice the professional knowledge and skills gained in Teaching and Learning 1 (LT1). Students will spend 35 days in a secondary school planning, teaching, and reflecting, thus developing the professional capacities to effectively plan and teach lessons, predominantly in the senior phase (S3-S6).

School Experience 2

In this module, students will undertake 55 days of school placement to further develop the knowledge, skills, and values set out in the General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS) Standards for Provisional Registration. Students will teach a selection of classes across the senior and broad general education phases of secondary school.

Entry Requirements

What are the entry requirements for Education Biology?

The entry requirements for this course are a degree from a UK Higher Education Institution, or degree of an equivalent standard from an institution outside the UK. The degree should be in the subject to be taught and contain at least two graduating courses (80 credits) in the relevant subject. A minimum of 40 credits should be from Year 2 of study.

Ordinary Degrees are also acceptable.

We also require SQA Higher English at Grade C or equivalent as well SQA National 5 Mathematics or SQA National 5 Applications of Mathematics at grade C or equivalent.

Please note you will also be expected to attend an interview.

SUBJECT-SPECIFIC GUIDANCE

Biology

80 credits across two modules are acceptable. These 80 credits should come from subjects such as Animal Biology, Biochemistry, Human Biology, or Bio-molecular Sciences.

The following degrees are NOT acceptable: Nursing, Sports Science, Physiotherapy, Veterinary, Medicine, Nutrition, and Physiology when combined with Sports Science.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees for 2024/25

• Scotland: £1,820
• England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,250
• Overseas and EU: £22,870

Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next.

Careers

Secondary Biology and Science Teacher (Can be in Scotland, UK, or most countries of the world.)