Primary (English medium)

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a degree at undergraduate level. An honours degree at 2:2 or above is preferred, as the teaching on the course sits at honours and masters level

Applications will be considered from those not holding honours who are able to evidence sufficient academic capacity to undertake the course, by providing a transcript of their undergraduate degree.

In addition to the above, applicants must hold the following qualifications prior to application to the course:

English:

• Scottish Higher (C or above), OR
• A level (D or above), OR
• GCSE English Language (C/4 or above) and English Literature (C/4 or above) or equivalent, PLUS

Mathematics or Applications of Mathematics:

• National 5 (C or above), OR
• SQA Intermediate 2 (C or above) or Standard grade Credit OR
• GCSE Mathematics (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent

We recognise the current difficulties in gaining direct work or voluntary experience with primary-aged children. We expect your personal statement and supporting reference to clearly demonstrate what has informed your sense of readiness to apply now to become a primary teacher.

Months of entry

August

Course content

The PGDE consists of 18 weeks study at the university, plus 18 weeks of professional practice in schools. The placements in schools are arranged nationally and you will be placed in schools within travelling distance of your home or term-time address.

This course is offered at eight of our UHI campuses who work in partnership with their local authority. You will be required to have a home or term-time address in the local authority area of your chosen campus. It is also offered in partnership with the Scottish Borders council for applicants based in the Borders, who become registered through UHI Moray.

You will benefit from studying in small, locally based groups while collaborating remotely with other student teachers and tutors across the university’s network of centres. The programme overlaps significantly with the PGDE Secondary to offer a cross-sector perspective.

A mandatory three-day residential induction is held at the start of the course, with a further residential in March which focuses on STEM and outdoor learning. Each local cohort will also organise a showcase event at the end of the course, as part of developing teacher leadership.

Special features

• The course will prepare you for life as a reflective professional, supporting high quality learning for the children you teach
• The course also offers the option of gaining up to 40 masters level credits by submission of assignments at SCQF level 11
• Our integrated and blended teaching model provides the framework for integrated assessment of all four modules and the consequent achievement of the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) (2021) Standard for Provisional Registration

Information for international students

If you would like to study in a country of outstanding natural beauty, friendly communities, and cities buzzing with social life and activities, the Highlands and Islands of Scotland should be your first choice. We have campuses across the region each one with its own special characteristics from the rich cultural life of the islands to the bright city lights of Perth and Inverness. Some courses are available in one location only, for others you will have a choice; we also have courses that can be studied online from your own home country.

Find out more: International - UHI

Fees and funding

For information, please view our Fees/Funding tab: PGDE Primary (English Medium) (uhi.ac.uk).

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.