Why this programme

• The PGDE Primary provides a route to achieve the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) Standard for Provisional Registration, for graduates whose qualifications satisfy the requirements for entry into the teaching profession in Scotland.
• The programme closely integrates 18 weeks of on-campus learning with 18 weeks of school experience.
• Each element of our PGDE, whether University-based or school-based, encourages a research-informed approach, aligning with the criteria articulated in the GTCS Standard for Provisional Registration and the University of Glasgow’s graduate attributes.
• You will have the opportunity to develop as an engaged, reflective and empowered teacher, sensitive to the needs of children and young people, responsive to a changing education system, and committed to research-informed professional learning throughout your career.
• The programme promotes and upholds values and dispositions consonant with the broad, social purposes of education. It is research-led with a focus on social justice, challenging you to examine your values and beliefs about what it means to be a socially-just and inclusive teacher.
• If you are from Scotland, other parts of the UK or the Republic of Ireland, or are in some categories of EU status, you are eligible to enter the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS) upon completion of the degree. The TIS guarantees a one-year teaching post through which you can achieve GTCS Standard for Full Registration. The GTCS Flexible Route is also open to you.
• Education at Glasgow is ranked 6th in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2025.

Career prospects

GTCS Standards for Registration

Upon successful completion of the PGDE, you will have met the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) Standard for Provisional Registration, allowing you to begin working within a school(s) to achieve the Standard for Full Registration. Many of our graduates are teaching not only in Scotland’s primary and secondary schools, but throughout the UK and further abroad.

Those holding the Catholic Teacher’s Certificate can pursue posts which require qualification in teaching Religious Education in the denominational sector, subject to approval.

Professional Practice with PGDE, MEd 

On successful completion of your PGDE you will have the opportunity to transfer your 90 Masters-level credits from your PGDE into this programme. For further information, please see:

• Professional Practice with PGDE

Career-Long Professional Learning (CLPL) for Teachers

The School of Education also provides an extensive range of career-long professional learning opportunities for teachers and others involved in education. Our CLPL is designed to be as flexible as possible, including daytime, twilight, weekend and vacation modes, and ranging from one-off courses to full programmes. For further information, please see:

• CLPL For Teachers

Fees & funding

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

The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

Entry requirements

Academic Entry

The minimum academic entry requirements for admission to a teaching qualification are:

• Degree: An undergraduate degree validated by a higher education institution in the United Kingdom or an undergraduate degree of an equivalent standard from a higher education institution outside the United Kingdom. All degree classifications are considered, however, priority is given to candidates with a 1st or 2:1 honours degree.
• English: National Qualifications in English at SCQF Level 6 (for example, Higher Grade) or an accepted alternative from the list below.
• Mathematics: National Qualifications in Mathematics at SCQF Level 5 (for example, National 5, Standard Grade or Intermediate 2) or an accepted alternative from the list below.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants are required to have met the English and Maths qualifications PRIOR to application. Pending degree qualifications are considered.

The minimum academic requirements are set by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). Further info at: Memorandum on Entry Requirements to Programmes of Initial Teacher Education in Scotland September 2019

Evidence of completed qualifications

When you submit your UCAS application form, you must include ALL of your qualifications. This includes your qualifications in English and Maths (see above). If you have omitted any qualifications, there may be a delay in processing your application. Upload of missing documents is permitted via the Applicant Self Service portal within 7 days of application submission.

Due to the competitive nature of this course and the high volume of applications received, unfortunately if we do not receive the required documents within the 7-day timescale, your application will be rejected.

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.

Applicants should use the personal statement to demonstrate their suitability to join the teaching profession and to talk about their interests and wider achievements and the extent to which they match the skills and attributes desirable in a teacher. The GTCS advise that applicants should show that they have the capacity to meet the Standard for Provisional Registration which specifies what is expected of a student teacher at the end of Initial Teacher Education.

Relevant experience with children or young people should also be noted with preference given to those with recent experience shadowing a primary school classroom.

Interview

Interviews will be held from December and invitations will be updated on UCAS track where applicants can accept, decline or request a reschedule.  Reschedules are not permitted due to the number of suitable applicants available to attend. A communication will be sent out shortly after the UCAS invitation is received and will contain details of the interview structure. Please note that we will be unable to provide feedback to applicants who are unsuccessful at interview stage.

Catholic Teacher's Certificate

Working in partnership with the Scottish Government and the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, the School of Education has the mandate to provide teachers to teach in Catholic schools in Scotland. This PGDE programme (X102) provides support for, and emphasis on, the initial teacher education of those who intend to teach in Catholic schools through the Catholic Teacher's Certificate route. The design of this pathway necessarily reflects the sector requirements for teaching Religious Education in the Catholic school and prospective applicants should consider this before applying. Applicants are encouraged to consult guidance from the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland about the approval process for teaching in Catholic Schools in Scotland. Further detail available from the Scottish Catholic Education Service.

Disclosure Scotland

If you are accepted to the PGDE you must undertake a criminal conviction check prior to enrolment. It is your responsibility to pay for the check.

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. Fitness to Practise is assessed not only in terms of academic attainment but also in accordance with relevant professional standards and expectations. Students registered to study on initial teacher education degrees are subject to separate Fitness to Practise procedures and will be expected to familiarise themselves with the appropriate procedures and information upon enrolment.

International students

We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.

• Find out more about entry requirements and other country-specific information
• International student support & visas

How to apply

Programmes starting August 2025

Whilst the PGDE programmes are only open to postgraduate students, unlike all other postgraduate degrees, all PGDE applications must be made online through the UCAS website.

Apply online at www.ucas.com

Applications are accepted from September with a closing date of 29 January 2025. Late applications will not be considered.

The University of Glasgow UCAS codes (required for online UCAS application) are:

• PGDE Primary Education: X100
• PGDE Primary Education including Catholic Teachers’ Certificate: X102

Note that these codes represent different routes through the same programme of study. Applicants should apply only once using the appropriate UCAS code.

You should apply for X102 only if you:

• are eligible to teach RE in the Catholic school (further detail available from the Scottish Catholic Education Service)
• seek to qualify for the Catholic Teacher’s Certificate, and
• meet the entry requirements.

In the selection procedures for interview, priority is given to such applicants.

Please note that degree level 'Undergraduate' must be selected, in order to locate the PGDE programmes on UCAS.

If your application is successful you will be invited for interview. If you would like further information please Enquire online.

For the PGDE Primary programmes, the University does not normally permit deferral of entry to a later term/year. However, you may request a deferral of entry, where unforeseen and unforeseeable circumstances will prevent you from taking up your offer. Please Enquire online.

For more information about applying for a Teaching degree, see our Teaching Admissions Guidance.