Our entry requirements, UCAS links, further guidance on your personal statement and what to expect after applying. Applications to the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education must be made through UCAS. James Mcclintock explains the process and entry requirements for those applying to our PGDE Primary and Secondary programmes. Application deadlinesPGDE Primary: The UCAS deadline for equal consideration is 29th January 2025. As this is a competitive programme, we recommend you submit your application by the UCAS deadline.PGDE Secondary: Deadlines vary. Please see your chosen subject's UCAS page for deadline information.Entry requirementsFor both PGDE Primary and Secondary Education applications, we expect you to have experience of working with children in formal or informal settings (both employment and volunteering roles will be considered) and an ability to reflect thoughtfully on that experience in. You should have some knowledge and understanding of the Scottish curriculum.All applicants must also meet the University of Edinburgh English language requirement. We accept a wide range of qualifications, detailed on the programme's Degree Finder page.Degree Finder: English language entry requirementsPGDE PrimaryA UK undergraduate degree, or its international equivalentSQA Higher English at grade C or above (or equivalent) or GCSE English (Language) and English Literature both at C/4 or aboveSQA National 5 Mathematics or Applications of Mathematics (formerly Lifeskills Maths) at grade C or above, or GCSE Mathematics at grade C/4 or above, or equivalentApply through UCAS: PGDE Primary - X100PGDE SecondaryA UK undergraduate degree, or its international equivalent. You should hold at least 80 UK credits, at least 40 of which should be at SCQF level 8 or above, in the subject you wish to teach. These credits can either be as part of your undergraduate degree, or completed through additional university study. Please contact the admissions office for further advice.SQA Higher English at grade C or above (or equivalent) or GCSE English (Language) and English Literature both at C/4 or above.SQA National 5 Mathematics or Applications of Mathematics (formerly Lifeskills Maths) at grade C or above, GCSE Mathematics at grade C/4 or above, or equivalent.Information about each subject's entry requirements is available below.You can find links to apply through UCAS on our Degree Finder.PGDE Secondary on the Degree FinderApply through UCASArt and DesignTo be considered for PGDE Art and Design, applicants must have a minimum of 80 credits from degree level study in Fine Art (or Contemporary Art) or Design. 20 credit points may come from Digital Art/Design or Photography. It is essential that the study includes substantial studio-based practical experience.BiologyTo be considered for PGDE Biology, applicants must have a minimum of 80 credits from degree level study in Biology.Degrees suitable for PGDE BiologyIn some cases, applicants with the following degrees may be admitted to the programme depending on their content and qualification levels:MedicinePhysiotherapyVeterinaryApplicants should include a full transcript of degree courses to demonstrate depth and breadth of Biology studied within the programme and send to the Admissions Office for review.Email the Admissions OfficeIf you have an undergraduate degree in any of the following subjects, these would NOT be suitable for PGDE Biology without additional relevant study:NursingNutritionPhysiology when combined with Sports ScienceSports ScienceChemistryTo be considered for PGDE Chemistry, applicants must have a minimum of 80 credits in Chemistry. At least 40 of these credits should be in Chemistry specifically, with the remaining credits in a Chemistry-related subject.Design and TechnologyTo be considered for PGDE Design & Technology/Technological Education, applicants must have a minimum of 80 credits in a relevant Design & Technology discipline. This degree should include:A minimum of 20 credit points from Technological subjects such as Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronic Engineering/Sciences, Mechatronics, Architecture, Construction Technology, Building Services.A minimum of 40 credit points from Design and Graphics-related subjects such as Computer-Aided Design, Graphic Design, Computer-Aided Design/Manufacture, Industrial Design, Product Design.Degrees suitable for PGDE Design and TechnologyIf you have an undergraduate degree in any of the following subjects, these would be suitable for PGDE Design & Technology:Product Design Engineering, Product Design Innovation, Design for Industry, Consumer Design, Design and Manufacture, Construction Management, Architecture, Architecture Technology, Interior Design, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical, Environmental Engineering, Manufacture Technology, Quantity Surveying.We seek applicants capable of crossing boundaries and that have some design and engineering/technological knowledge and understanding. Applicants will be required to show the University their practical craft skills.DramaTo be considered for PGDE Drama, applicants must have a minimum of 80 credits in Drama. At least 40 of these credits should be in the practical aspects of Drama or performance such as devising, playwriting or performing. Applicants should also have some experience of collaborative practice.Degrees suitable for PGDE DramaRelevant degrees vary widely, but we look for a degree which reflects both the practical and theoretical nature of Drama and Theatre Arts - providing the appropriate training, practical skills base, knowledge and understanding required for teaching Drama in Education within the context of the Scottish National Curriculum Framework.Degrees in Drama, Acting, Theatre Studies or Theatre and Performance are ideal.EnglishTo be considered for PGDE English, applicants must have a minimum of 80 credits in English Literature and related subjects. A minimum of 40 credits must be in Literature (this could include texts translated into English), with a maximum of 40 credits can be taken from any of the following areas:Media StudiesFilmCreative WritingJournalismEnglish LanguageAdvertisingLawDegrees suitable for PGDE EnglishDegrees in English Literature and Scottish Literature are suitable.Full degrees in English Language are NOT acceptable.GeographyTo be considered for PGDE Geography, applicants must have a minimum of 80 credits relevant to Geography. Degrees suitable for PGDE GeographyIf you have an undergraduate degree in any of the following subjects, these would be suitable for PGDE Geography if there are sufficient credits in courses directly relating to Geography (other than research courses):GeologyGeosciencesEarth ScienceEnvironmental ScienceSustainable DevelopmentApplicants presenting with a degree other than a Geography degree should include a full transcript of degree courses to demonstrate the depth and breadth of Geography studied within the programme and send it to the Admissions Office. Email the Admissions Office (CAHSS.UGAdmissions@ed.ac.uk) HistoryTo be considered for PGDE History, applicants must have a minimum of 80 credits in History or Ancient History. A maximum of 40 credits can be taken from relevant Archaeology study.Entry to the PGDE History programme is competitive and most successful applicants have substantially more History in their degree than the minimum requirement.Successful applicants will normally have course credits in their degree in the historical topics relevant to the history curriculum followed in most Scottish schools and the rest of the United Kingdom; namely aspects of Scottish, British, European and 20th Century World History. Consideration will also be given to applicants who have the relevant history credits but lack this breadth in their degree, for example, those who have degrees in American History, Scottish History, Ancient History or Medieval History.Courses such as social anthropology will not count as history credits.Please note that applicants applying with Social Sciences degrees should email their degree transcripts to Admissions to assess their suitability onto the PGDE History programme.Email the Admissions Office (futurestudents@ed.ac.uk)In an interview, all applicants will be expected to prove their ability to gain the knowledge relevant to teach the history curriculum in Scottish schools.Language EducationTo be considered for PGDE Language Education applicants must have a minimum of 80 credits in relevant language study.We welcome applications from those who wish to study one language or a dual combination of the languages offered as given below:Any two from French, German and ChineseFrench and SpanishGerman and SpanishChinese and SpanishFrench and ItalianGerman and ItalianNB: Spanish and Italian can only be taken as second subjects. Chinese with Italian is not possible.Please contact the Programme Director for further information about dual qualification and to check the availability of your second subject. Entry requirements for the first language offeredFor the first language offered, applicants must:Have at least 80 credit points in the language they want to teachHave lived for six months in a country where the language is spoken before starting the course (this could be from your university year abroad), andEvidence that they are competent in speaking the relevant languageThe applicant’s academic study must include an element which will allow them to contribute to the wider aspects of programmes of study in schools, such as literature, cultural studies, area studies or languages in work.While living abroad the applicants must have fully taken part in the language and culture of the relevant country. Applicants must normally live in the relevant country in blocks of at least three months.Applicants who have spent one of their study years abroad will be considered as having met the residency requirement in the language in question.Entry requirements for second languages if you wish to earn a dual qualificationApplicants must fully meet the requirements for their first language. They must also:Have at least 80 credits in the second language they want to teachHave lived for at least three months in a country where the language is spoken before starting the course, andEvidence that they are competent in speaking the relevant language.As with the first language, the applicant’s academic study must include an element which will allow him/her to contribute to the wider aspects of 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 applicants must normally live in the relevant country in blocks of at least four weeks.The GTCS will answer any questions about registration and residency requirements for the second language.Native speakersNative speakers of a language (other than English) who have finished a degree in a language-based subject which meets the requirements above may train to teach their native language.For example, a native French-speaking student with a degree in German can train to teach German and French in Scotland, presuming the applicant meets the residency requirements for both languages.MathematicsTo be considered for PGDE Mathematics, applicants must have a minimum of 80 credits in Mathematics courses. The contributing courses within the degree must be recognised Mathematics courses, explicitly titled as such rather than embedded within other disciplines, however numerate or mathematical those may appear to be.Course content should be related and relevant to parts of the secondary school curriculum, including the study of statistics where possible, as that branch of Mathematics is now very firmly located within national qualifications.Degree relevancy for PGDE MathematicsEngineering degrees are considered on an individual basis. Applicants should include a full transcript of degree courses to demonstrate the depth and breadth of Mathematics studied within the programme and send it to the Admissions Office to be assessed.Email the Admissions Office (futurestudents@ed.ac.uk)The following undergraduate degrees are usually NOT suitable if Mathematics is not explicitly studied as a distinct course within the degree programme:Accountancy and/or FinanceEconomicsMusicTo be considered for PGDE Music, applicants must have a minimum of 80 credits in music, and it must include the study of music over at least three years.The study must:(i) demonstrate intellectual music skills (some of which would be advanced) across the following:musical repertoire and musical contextsan understanding of interdisciplinary approaches (e.g. music and the relationship to other disciplines)analysing, synthesising and interrogating musical materials(ii) demonstrate that they are competent in practical musical skills (some of which should be advanced) across the following:instrumental performancevocal performancekeyboard performance(iii) Have experience of music technology in some format (e.g. use of microphones, experience of recording and producing).It would be expected that all applicants should meet the requirements of (i). Applicants who do not meet the requirements of (ii) or (iii) will have to demonstrate competence through an interview process.Physical EducationTo be considered for PGDE Physical Education, applicants must have a minimum of 80 credits coming from:subjects related to physical education and involving a great deal of practical performance, such as sport, dance or outdoor pursuitssubjects involving analysis of the aspects of physical education, including:movement analysischoreographysports coachingbiomechanicssports scienceexercise physiologysports psychologyhealth and fitnessstudies in sports or dance or outdoor educationsports developmentspecial needs in movement educationHowever, whilst the above outlines the minimum that relevant study should contain, in reality only those with full Sports-related degrees will be seriously considered, with Sports and Exercise Science the most commonly accepted degree, provided it contains sufficient practical performance.Applicants should also provide evidence of their personal involvement in relevant activities through:regularly taking part in appropriate physical activitieshaving experience of coaching, instruction or leadershipachieving national governing body awards or the equivalentexperience of training and performing at a high levelPlease note that Physiology and Sports Science is not an accepted degree.BASI qualification (of any number of credits or level) will not meet the degree requirement for entry to our PGDE Physical Education degree. BASI courses do not comprise the equivalent of an undergraduate degree programme and although they provide applicants with an indication of their ability to work and engage with study at degree level, applicants to the programme would need to meet the requirements for entry for an initial teacher education programme.PhysicsTo be considered for PGDE Physics, applicants must have a minimum of 80 credits in physics.Applicants who wish to apply to PGDE Physics and who have studied a wide range of modules in their degree, such as applicants who hold an Engineering degree, should email the Admissions Office their full degree transcript, including any pending modules prior to making an application to the following email address: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk.Email the Admissions Office (futurestudents@ed.ac.uk)Dual QualificationWe offer Dual Qualification status in selected subject areas. Dual qualification means that a teacher is qualified to teach two different subject areas within secondary schools, such as History and Geography, or Mathematics and Physics.In your UCAS application, please state your second subject in your personal statement. At the same time as submitting your UCAS application, please inform Admissions of your stated preference.Contact Admissions (futurestudents@ed.ac.uk)You must have an additional 80 credits in the second subject area and meet the GTCS requirements for teaching this subject.Writing your Personal StatementAs part of your UCAS application, you will submit a personal statement outlining your commitment, motivation and suitability. The information in your personal statement will be considered alongside all the other information you supply in your application. It is important you evidence the following:Why you are applyingExplain why you want to be a teacher and why you think you are suited to the teaching profession. Be specific about why you have chosen your particular primary/secondary subject area.Relevant work experience with childrenDetail this in chronological order, including dates stating the number of hours spent per week over the number of weeks/months, and list the school(s) you worked. Also include any other work experience you have done with children, e.g. nursery, after-school clubs, youth work, sports coaching, volunteering, employment training.Reflection on working with childrenComment and reflect on what you learned during your school work experience; specifically the skills, attributes and understanding that you gained from this.Understanding of the role of a teacherExplain what you understand the role of a teacher to be. You can use examples of your experience to reinforce this section.Knowledge of the Scottish Curriculum for ExcellenceElaborate on your knowledge of the education system in Scotland and of the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence.Transferrable skills and outside interestsGive an indication of your work/life balance by including any long-term hobbies or interests you have, e.g. playing a musical instrument, drama, sports, Duke of Edinburgh Award or any voluntary work you do. Explain why this enhances your application to your chosen course.This list is taken from the following UCAS resource: UCAS Personal statement guidance for Teacher Education applicantsAfter you applyAfter you apply, we will be in touch with an initial decision either via UCAS Track or an email from our admissions team.If successful at the first stage of application, you will be invited to interview. This is an opportunity for you to showcase your passion for teaching and your subject, and for you to meet tutors. Candidates will also be expected to discuss their understanding of the Scottish Curriculum. Further information about what to expect at the interview will be included in the invite to interview email.We will be in touch as soon as possible after interview with a decision. This article was published on 2024-11-21