Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary)
Entry requirementsEntry Requirements A degree from a higher-education institution or a degree of an equivalent standard from an institution outside the UK. SQA Higher Grade Pass at levels A, B, C (or equivalent) in English. SQA Standard Grade (Credit Level 1 or 2) pass in Mathematics or its equivalent. Selection involves a professional interview.
Academic titleProfessional Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary)
Course descriptionProgramme
The PGDE (Primary) programme aims, in one year, to train students for all stages of the teaching in a primary school. The purpose is to enable students to become teachers who are sensitive, confident, adaptable and able to take their place in a complex and evolving education system. Eligible students generally join the Teaching Induction Scheme run by the Scottish Government.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be taught the theory and practice of teaching as well as gain teaching experience on a school placement.
How You Will Be Taught
You will be assessed on your practical teaching ability, as well as two written assignments and three oral presentations.
Programme structure
The programme involves blocks of study in the University interspersed with four blocks of placement. There are two main phases each focusing on particular themes.
• Semester 1 - Early Years
• Semester 2 - Later Years
University studies are divided into:
• Theory and Practice of Teaching
• Collaborative Projects
Together with the following Curriculum Areas:
• Language
• Mathematics
• Environmental Studies
• Religious, Moral & Philosophical Education
• Expressive Arts
• Health Education
• Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
• Modern Languages Option
School Experience. There are four school placements, one at each stage
• Nursery
• Infant
• Middle
• Upper Primary
Assessment
Assessment is continuous. Students need to satisfy the examiners in the following areas:
• Practical teaching, assessed by both University tutors and teachers in schools
• University studies, assessed through two written assignments (Children's Development and Learning, and Curriculum, Teaching and Assessment)
• University studies, assessed through three oral presentations