Career opportunities in PGDE Secondary

Graduates from the PGDE Secondary programme are qualified to teach, and eligible for provisional registration from the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).

Registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS)

On successful completion of this programme, students are recommended to contact the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) for provisional registration.

Full registration is awarded on the completion of one satisfactory year of teaching the subject(s) for which qualification has been gained through this programme.

Eligibility for the Teacher Induction Scheme

Students from Scotland, other parts of the UK and the Republic of Ireland, who are studying at a Scottish Higher Education Institution are eligible to join the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS), a guaranteed and paid one-year probationary teaching post, organised by the General Teaching Council for Scotland.

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.

Participation in this scheme is not compulsory and some may choose to follow the alternative Flexible Route which is less structured and may better suit personal circumstances. Students from overseas countries who study on a teacher education programme with us can also follow the Flexible Route to complete their probationary service if they are able to remain in Scotland on completion of their studies.

Find out more about the Flexible Route

Preference Waiver Payment Scheme 

If you join the General Teaching Council’s Preference Waiver Payment Scheme - which means you agree to work in any Scottish local authority for your induction post - in return, you will receive £8,000 if you are a secondary teacher, or £6,000 if you are a primary teacher. This payment will only be made if you complete your Teacher Induction Scheme year in the local authority to which you were allocated. 

Careers Service

The University of Edinburgh's Careers Service supports all current students (and graduates for up to 2 years) to develop their potential and achieve satisfying and rewarding futures.

Join in and make use of:

  • individual appointments
  • group sessions
  • wider campus-based activity
  • online services and resources

We also deliver a diverse programme of face-to-face and online events throughout the academic year.

Career-long professional learning

As you progress through your career in teaching you may apply the Masters-level credits (60 credits) earned on your PGDE towards our MEd Leadership and Learning. The MEd Leadership and Learning is a Master’s degree comprised of a suite of Postgraduate Certificates for teachers that enhance your career-long professional learning, enquiry and research. These include an extended work-based project and a course for moving Into Headship, amongst others. Applications for the MEd Leadership and Learning are made through your local authority.

MEd Leadership and Learning

Related Links

General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS)