Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)

Study for your Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) at one of the best schools in the UK. The PGDE is the qualification you need to become a teacher in Scotland. It’s a well-recognised qualification which will prepare you to teach here or further afield.

Accreditation with the General Teaching Council for Scotland

Our teaching qualification is recognised around the world.

Graduates of our Initial Teacher Education programmes are eligible for provisional registration from the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). GTCS awards full registration once teachers complete one satisfactory probationary year of teaching at primary or secondary education level. Eligible graduates can apply for a probationary teaching role through the GTCS's Teacher Induction Scheme or the Flexible Route.

General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS)

Female teacher talking to a young student

Graduates from Scotland, other parts of the UK, and Ireland who attended a Scottish Higher Education Institution can join the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS). TIS is a guaranteed, paid, one-year probationary post organised by the GTCS.

Students from the European Union (EU) are also eligible if they:

hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) or
have applied for settled or pre-settled status but have not yet received a decision

The scheme is not compulsory; some may choose to follow the Flexible Route instead. The Flexible Route is a way to complete probationary service for teachers who:

choose to opt out of the TIS
are not eligible to join the TIS
cannot commit to a full-time post
wish to complete their probationary year somewhere other than a Scottish state school
are already registered in one or more subjects and want to gain Professional Registration in another subject
are from overseas countries who studied on a teacher education programme in Scotland and are able to remain in Scotland after their studies

The Flexible Route is less structured than the TIS and may better suit some people’s circumstances. Those using the Flexible Route are responsible for finding their own employment for their probationary year.

Learn more about the Flexible Route

Graduates may join the GTCS's Preference Waiver Payment Scheme. Those who join the scheme agree to work in any Scottish local authority for their induction post. In return, secondary teachers receive £8,000 and primary teachers receive £6,000. Only students who complete their TIS year in their allocated local authority receive this payment.

Students from overseas can apply for a graduate visa once they successfully complete their PGDE programme. Visit the University's Graduate Visa page for more information.

Graduate visa information

It's important to note that PGDE graduates with a graduate visa must use the Flexible Route for their probationary period in order to teach in Scotland. Those using the Flexible Route are responsible for finding their own employment for their probationary year.

What is the Flexible Route? (gtcs.org.uk)

You may apply the masters-level credits (60 credits) earned on your PGDE towards our MEd Leadership and Learning masters degree. This degree consists of Postgraduate Certificates that enhance teachers' professional learning, inquiry, and research. These include an extended work-based project and a course for moving Into Headship.

MEd Leadership and Learning

Our students

Former PGDE primary and secondary students talk about their time on the programme.

Hear from our PGDE students

Isabel Bradbaart

'I know I will stay in touch with the friends I’ve made for a long time – not just because they are colleagues who share educational interests and values.'