Secondary (English medium)

Entry requirements

Important: Please click here to read our FAQ sheet for essential information about applying to this programme.

Applicants should hold a relevant degree at undergraduate level or above; preference will be given to those possessing a degree at honours level, though consideration will also be given to those holding ordinary degrees.

In addition to the above, applicants must hold:

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 (C/4 or above) or equivalent

There are subject specific entry guidelines for secondary teaching stipulated by GTC Scotland in the Memorandum on Entry Requirements to Programmes of Initial Teacher Education in Scotland, 2019. Details of these are available in our Frequently Asked Questions document - see link above.

Months of entry

August

Course content

The course is offered in partnership with Argyll and Bute, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Highland, Moray, Orkney Islands, Perth and Kinross, and Shetland Islands Councils, each working with the university through their local campus. The course is also offered in partnership with Aberdeen City and Scottish Borders councils, with applicants based in the Borders registered through UHI Inverness.

The PGDE (Secondary) consists of 18 weeks study at the university plus 18 weeks in professional practice in schools.

The subjects listed below can be studied at the following campuses: Aberdeen City; UHI Argyll (Oban); UHI Inverness; UHI North, West and Hebrides (Fort William, Stornoway, and Thurso); UHI Moray; UHI Orkney; UHI Perth; UHI Shetland; or the Scottish Borders.

• Art and Design* (code: X3AR)
• Biology and Science*** (code: X3BG)
• Business Education*** (code: X3BS
• Chemistry and Science*** (code: X3CS)
• Computing Science (code: X3CO)
• English*** (code: X3EN)
• Gaelic**
• History* (code: X3HS)
• Home Economics (code: X3HO)
• Mathematics*** (code: X3MA)
• Music**** (code: X3MS)
• Physics and Science*** (code: X3PS)
• Religious Education**** (code: X3RG)
• Technological Education*** (code: X3TC)

The course is sometimes available at Lochgilphead (through UHI Argyll) and at Benbecula (through UHI North, West and Hebrides). This decision is made annually and is dependent on the number of applicants in those areas.

*Not available in Aberdeen City, UHI Perth or Scottish Borders
**Gaelic is offered on the Gaelic-medium Secondary pathway (code: X130)
***Not available in Aberdeen City
****Not available in Aberdeen City or Scottish Borders

Special features

• Opportunity to undertake secondary education programme in the Highlands and Islands, Aberdeen City and Scottish Borders
• We actively encourage applications for dual registration for two secondary subjects from the above list

Fees and funding

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