PROFESSIONAL GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN EDUCATION (BIOLOGY) PGDE



Think differently about teaching and stand in the classroom confident, experienced and equipped from day one.

Overview

If you want to make a career teaching Biology and science in secondary schools, this course is for you. Now is your opportunity to inspire young people with your enthusiasm and love of the subject.

This new course is designed to blend knowledge, research and the experiences of successful teachers. This approach will help you grow your motivation, confidence and creativity to help you succeed in the classroom.

We will also explore different teaching approaches and methodologies including interdisciplinary learning classroom research, and using technology for assessment and reflection. As a result, you will work not just with university tutors, but also the wider educational community and experts who will give you holistic advice and support on many issues affecting young people and school communities.

Apply for this course now through UCAS

Two students of the School of Applied Sciences working in one of the University's laboratories

Mode of Study:

Part-time (available as Full-time)

Duration:

2 years

Start date:

Aug

Course details

This is a two year, part-time route to gain your PGDE qualification. On successful completion of the Diploma, you will have met the requirements to apply for teacher registration and will need to fulfil a probationary role before becoming a fully qualified teacher in Scotland. 

Each year, starting in August, you will attend part-time for a total of 18 weeks in University and 18 weeks in secondary school placements.

Taught Modules:

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

Learning & Teaching 1&2

These modules are related to knowledge of the curriculum and school placements. You 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 you to explore the theory and policy underpinning our educational system. We will explore keys themes such as behaviour 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 you to undertake an action research project.The project will be combined with an interdisciplinary project in your later placement, which will give invaluable insights into the complexities of making changes to practice and equip you with research methods.

These four modules will help develop your skills as a dynamic and effective teacher. All modules are SCQF Level 11.

You are also required to pass each of three part-time placement blocks teaching in school.  (In order to pass your School Experience module, you must complete ALL school placements satisfactorily.) This comprises 18 weeks of teaching experience in total.

In this route, your placement hours are split across two years, enhancing the flexibility of this route to gain your professional accreditation. 

 

 

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    How you’ll be taught

    You will be taught by a team of experienced lecturers who have extensive knowledge of both the Higher Education sector and Secondary schools.

    The University-based work consists of four Modules and is based around the school curriculum and the way it is taught (Curricular Pedagogy and Educational Studies).

    During school placements you will undertake a variety of tasks to help you understand and develop the skills needed to be a professional teacher.

     
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    Assessments

    You will be assessed in a variety of ways across four academic modules, from critical reflection to literature reviews.

    On placement, you will also complete formal classroom observations, which will assess your placement time as a whole.

    You will also complete classroom-based research that will contribute to a formal report, and attend a practitioner conference where your projects will be presented.

    Placement opportunities are subject to UK and Scottish Government health and travel advice.
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    Facilities

     

     

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.



Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.
We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2024/25 2025/26
Scotland £910 £910
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £4,625 £4,625
Overseas and EU £11,435 £12,010
You study this course over two academic years, fees listed are per annum.
Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers

Scientist standing behind shelves of laboratory equipment

Secondary Biology and Science Teacher (Upon successful completion of a probationary role before becoming a fully qualified teacher in Scotland.)

After registration as a qualified teacher by the General Teaching Council Scotland you can teach in Scotland, (and generally across the UK, or most countries of the world.)