Secondary Education with Biology

Program Overview

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Secondary Education with Biology, BA

Introduction

Spark a passion for STEM in the next generation of learners to help them discover a world of possibilities and develop essential skills to unlock their future careers. Our programme offers a flexible pathway to transition from college to university and build solid grounding in your specialist subject to become a secondary teacher in biology.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: BA
• Duration: 24 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• Location of Study: Aberdeen
• UCAS Code: X1C1

We aim to enhance your knowledge and skills to face the challenges of 21st-century teaching to inspire young students to engage in STEM education, using a variety of teaching approaches and practical applications. Our degree offers a flexible route for HND graduates in biology to transition from college to complete our BA in Secondary Education, allowing you to earn a qualification teaching STEM within secondary schools.

In the first year (Year 3) of university learning, you will undertake 60 credits in Education alongside 60 credits in biology courses that would build on your prior learning and give you a strong grounding to take your knowledge into schools in the final year of the BA programme. The education courses studied in Year 3 give firm foundations about policy, and STEM education that can be built on in Year 4. You can tailor your educational journey to your interests and exit at the end of Year 3 if desired.

Regulations are in place so that progression into Year 4 and teacher education is through satisfactory interview checks on relevant entry criteria (credits, English and Maths etc.) set out by the memorandum of entry. Year 4 follows the accredited PGDE Secondary programme which includes one Education course (60 credits) and one placement-based 60-credit course (18 weeks total in two different schools) teaching biology in secondary schools.

After completing the BA Secondary Education with Biology, you will be provisionally registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and able to move into your probationary year teaching your specialism in secondary schools across Scotland.

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Semester 1: STEM and Computing Science in Society and Education (30 credits) and relevant subject courses from Science (30 credits)
  • Semester 2: Conceptual Learning in STEM and Computing Science (30 credits) and relevant subject courses from Science (30 credits)

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • PGDE Secondary Education with professional practice courses (120 credits)

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Lectures
• Professional Placements
• Workshops

Assessment Methods

You are assessed in the following ways:

• Written assessments including essays and reflective discussions.
• Presentations demonstrating subject knowledge and using evidence from professional practice
• Professional practice assessments in secondary schools.

Why Study Secondary Education with Biology?

• You can opt into the GTCS induction scheme to undertake a probationary year teaching your specialism in secondary schools across Scotland.
• Gain 18 weeks of experience teaching in secondary schools to transform your practice in the classroom.
• Encounter and explore diverse perspectives to teaching among peers.
• Develop your subject knowledge and engage with theory to support your practice.

Entry Requirements

You require Higher English (or equivalent) or National 5 Mathematics (or equivalent) with a pass at Grade C or above by the end of Year 3. If you do not have all the relevant English and Maths qualifications to get into university, you can study our Access courses to get the grades you require. The courses are delivered online, 24/7, so you can start anytime and study at your pace to access Higher Education.

Qualifications

The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.

• Entry requirements for applicants from various countries are available.

English Language Requirements

To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

• IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
• PTE Academic: OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
• Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Fees and Funding

You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.

• Fee information:
  • EU / International students: £20,800
  • Home Students: £1,820
  • England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535

Scholarships and Funding

• UK Scholarship: Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding.
• Aberdeen Global Scholarship: The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

Careers

Once you graduate, you will gain provisional registration to enter the GTCS induction scheme* for a one-year probationary teaching your specialism in a secondary school across Scotland. Once you have completed your probationary year, you will meet the standard for full registration as a secondary teacher.

Our Experts

• Programme Coordinator: Miss Leigh Bjorkvoll
• Head of Department: Dr John Mynott
• Other Expert: Mr Alan Grieve

Related Undergraduate Degrees

• BA Secondary Education with Chemistry
• BA Secondary Education with Computer Science
• BA Secondary Education with Physics