Why this programme

• The PGDE Secondary 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 closely aligned to 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 in a modern, diverse Scotland.
• 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.
• Watch: PGDE Secondary programme overview

Career prospects

GTCS Standards for Registration

On successful completion of the programme, you will have achieved the General Teaching for Scotland (GTCS) Standard for Provisional Registration. Students from Scotland, the UK, the Republic of Ireland and those who are EU citizens with settled status are eligible for the one-year Teacher Induction Scheme, a guaranteed year of full-time employment to achieve the Standard for Full Registration (SFR), on a probationary salary of £32k. As fully-qualified teachers, having achieved the SFR, 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.

• 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.

• 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. The degree should contain 80 SCQF credit points overall in the subject which you intend to teach, of which 40 must be at Year 2 level or above (see subject specific requirements below). Graduates will be allowed to top-up the number of SQCF credits by a maximum of 30 credits which must be obtained before entering the PGDE programme. You must upload a copy of your degree transcript to your application via Applicant Self Service to evidence that you meet the credit requirement for your chosen subject. If you do not provide this your application may be rejected as incomplete.
• 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.

The minimum academic requirements are set by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).
Further information can be found at: Memorandum on Entry Requirements to Programmes of Initial Teacher Education in Scotland September 2024.

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 the PGDE programme 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 young people should also be noted with preference given to those with recent experience shadowing a high school class in the subject they wish to teach. Applicants may also discuss their interest in the subject they wish to teach.

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 guaranteed 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. The Catholic Teacher’s Certificate pathway provides support for, and emphasis on, the initial teacher education of those who intend to teach in Catholic schools, reflecting the denominational sector requirements. The School welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. In the selection procedures for interview, priority is given to those who meet the entry requirements and who indicated in their personal statement, their intention to teach in Catholic schools and to seek the Catholic Teacher's Certificate in Religious Education.

You can find out more about eligibility from the Scottish Catholic Education Service

Subject specific requirements

The degree requirements for the PGDE Secondary Education are based on SCQF credits – this is because credits are standard across all Scottish universities. A credit point is a measure of the amount of learning you have done. You will find your completed modules and the number of credits awarded for each module on your degree transcript. Please assess this to check if you have the desired number of credits in the correct subjects and at the correct SCQF level before you apply for the PGDE Secondary Education programme.

It is worth noting that 10 SCQF credits = 5 ECTS credits

The degree should contain 80 SCQF credit points overall in the subject which you intend to teach, of which 40 must be at Year 2 level or above. Please note that due to the high demand for places there is no guarantee that meeting the minimum academic qualifications will ensure an invite to interview or an offer of a place.

Priority will be  given to those with a 2:1 honours degree and the highest number of related credits.

Art & Design

A degree with 80 SCQF credit points, 40 of these credit points must be at Year 2 Level. The 80 SCQF credit points should cover a range of courses in both Fine (or contemporary) Art and Design and come from a range of the following practical subjects: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Textiles, Photography or Environmental Art.

Biology

A degree with 80 SCQF credit points, 40 of these credit points must be at Year 2 Level. The 80 credit points should cover a range of courses from Animal Biology, Biochemistry, Human Biology or Biomolecular Sciences.

Business Education

A contemporary* Business related degree with 80 SCQF credit points, 40 of these SCQF credit points must be at Year 2 Level. Your degree must have at least 20 credits in each of the following subjects: Accounting, Economics and Business Management. For each area you need to have covered the following detailed content: Economics - macro and micro economics theory. Accounting – financial accounting, management accounting and double entry book-keeping. Business Management - Marketing, Human Resources, Management Theory.

Applicants must  also provide evidence of Information Technology skills - Databases, Spreadsheets, Office IT. This can be from relevant degree/HNC/HND credits, Scottish Higher Administration and IT at grade B, a PDA Information Technology in Business or a completed ECDL qualification. 

* graduated within the last 20 years

Chemistry

A degree with 80 SCQF credit points, 40 of these SCQF credit points must be at Year 2 Level. The 80 credit points should cover a range of courses from organic, physical and inorganic chemistry.

Computing

A degree with at least 80 SCQF credit points, 40 of these credit points must be at Year 2 Level. The 80 credit points should be from at least two of the following: Computer Systems, Software Development, Databases or Information Systems. You will also need 40 SCQF credits in a computing subject relevant to the Computing curriculum taught in Scottish schools.

English

A degree with at least 80 SCQF credit points, 40 of these credit points must be at Year 2 Level. At least 40 of these credit points must be in English or Scottish Literature. A maximum of 20 SCQF credit points in Media Studies will be accepted.

Geography

A degree with at least 80 SCQF credit points, 40 of these credit points must be at Year 2 Level. The 80 credit points should cover a range of courses from Physical Geography, Human Geography and Environmental Geography.

History

A 2.2 Honours degree or above with at least 80 SCQF credit points, 40 of these credit points must be at Year 2 Level. The 80 credit points should be in British History, Scottish History, European History and World History. A maximum of 40 SCQF credits points in Ancient History will be accepted.

Mathematics

A degree with at least 80 SCQF credit points, 40 of these credit points must be at Year 2 Level. The 80 credit points should be in maths related modules such as Algebra, Analysis, Calculus, Geometry, Statistics, Differential Equations or Probability.

Modern Foreign Languages

1. Entry requirements for first language

• a degree with at least 80 SCQF credit points in the first language you want to teach
• before starting the course, you must have lived for six months in a country where the language is spoken
• you will have to prove to the University that you are competent at speaking the language

The scope of your language degree must allow you to contribute to wider programmes of study in schools – such as literature, cultural studies, area studies or languages in work.

While you lived abroad, you must have taken full part in the language and culture of the country. You must normally have lived in the country for blocks of at least three months. So if you have spent one of your study years abroad, you will be fine.

2. Entry requirements for second languages

• a degree with at least 80 SCQF credit points in the second language you want to teach
• before starting the course, you must have lived for at least three months in a country where the language is spoken
• you will have to prove to the university that you are competent at speaking the language

Of course, you will also meet all the requirements for your first foreign language.

The scope of your language degree must allow you to contribute to wider programmes of study in schools – such as literature, cultural studies, area studies or languages in work.

While living abroad the applicant must have fully taken part in the language and culture of the relevant country. The period of three months must either be consecutive or in blocks of at least four weeks.

While you lived abroad you must have taken full part in the language and culture of the relevant country. The period of three months must either be consecutive or in block of at least four weeks.

If you have any questions about the registration and residency requirements for second languages, get in touch with the GTCS.

3. Native speakers of a modern foreign language

If you are a native speaker of a modern foreign language and you have a degree in your own language, you may be qualified to train to teach that language. Your degree must meet the requirements outlined above (entry requirements for first language).

If you are a native speaker and have a degree in an additional language which meets these requirements, you may train to teach that language as well as your mother tongue. For example, a French student with a degree in German can train to teach German and French.

Modern Studies

A 2.2 Honours degree or above with at least 80 SCQF credit points, 40 of these credit points must be at Year 2 Level. The 80 credit points should be from two separate subjects from the list below. At least 40 SCQF credit points must be from either Politics or Sociology.

• Criminology
• Economics
• Geography
• History or Economic History
• International Relations
• Law
• Politics
• Sociology
• Social Policy

Physics

A degree with at least 80 SCQF credit points, 40 of these credit points must be at Year 2 Level. The 80 credit points should be from a range of the following subjects: Electricity and Magnetism, Electronics, Optics, Mechanics, Dynamics, Nuclear and Atomic Physics.

Religious Education

A degree with at least 80 SCQF credit points, 40 of these credit points must be at Year 2 Level. The 80 credits points should come from two or more of the areas listed below:

• Religious Studies
• Philosophy
• Theology
• Divinity
• Sociology of Religion
• Anthropology of Religion
• Psychology of Religion

Applicants wishing specifically to teach Religious Education in Catholic schools must have an undergraduate degree with at least 80 SCQF credit points in:

• Religious Studies
• Theology
• Divinity

which may include a maximum of 20 credit points in Philosophy related to religion.

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

Most PGDE Secondary subjects remain open after the UCAS deadline of 29 January 2025. When a programme is closed, the list below will be updated to show this.

Open for 2025 entry:

• Art & Design W1X1
• Biology C1X1
• Business Education N1X1
• Chemistry F1X1
• Computing G5X1
• English Q3X1
• French R1X1
• French with German RX11
• French with Italian RX1C
• French with Spanish RXD1
• Geography F8X1
• History V1X1
• Mathematics G1X1
• Modern Studies V9X1
• Physics F3X1
• Religious Studies V6X1
• Spanish X1R4
• Spanish with French RX41

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 Secondary 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.