Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) PGDE

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: Education

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Mode of study

On campus

Full-time
  • PGDE Art and Design | 1 year | Start date: August 2026
  • PGDE Biology | 1 year | Start date: August 2026
  • PGDE Chemistry | 1 year | Start date: August 2026
  • PGDE Design and Technology | 1 year | Start date: August 2026
  • PGDE Drama | 1 year | Start date: August 2026
  • PGDE English | 1 year | Start date: August 2026
  • PGDE Geography | 1 year | Start date: August 2026
  • PGDE History | 1 year | Start date: August 2026
  • PGDE Mathematics | 1 year | Start date: August 2026
  • PGDE Music | 1 year | Start date: August 2026
  • PGDE Physical Education | 1 year | Start date: August 2026
  • PGDE Physics | 1 year | Start date: August 2026
  • PGDE Chinese | 1 year | Start date: August 2026
  • PGDE French | 1 year | Start date: August 2026
  • PGDE German | 1 year | Start date: August 2026

Key facts

School

Moray House School of Education and Sport

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study location

Holyrood campus

Accreditation

Available

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About the degree programme

The Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) Secondary is for graduates who want to become subject-specialist teachers in the secondary sector. This programme is the Scottish route to qualified teacher status.

This is an intensive programme of study, divided equally between University-based and school-based activities.

We designed the programme to prepare you for the range of roles that teachers are expected to play:

  • A competent, reflective classroom practitioner
  • A collaborator who contributes to the wider informal curriculum of the school
  • A subject specialist and a curriculum developer
  • A teacher in society, whether building strong relationships with parents or contributing to national policy debates

You will develop the capacity to become a transformative teacher, making a positive impact on the outcomes of learners, with the capacity to become a future leader in the profession. To this end, we focus on teaching student teachers to use their powerful subject knowledge to create interesting, relevant and progressive teaching.

We currently offer our secondary programme in the following subjects:

  • Art and Design
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Design and Technology
  • Drama
  • English
  • Geography
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Language Education (Chinese, French, German)
  • Music
  • Physical Education
  • Physics

Dual Qualification status

Dual qualification means that a teacher is qualified to teach two different subject areas within schools, such as Mathematics and Physics.

We welcome applications for dual subject qualification and can accommodate the following combinations:

  • Geography and History
  • Mathematics and Physics
  • any two science subjects, for example, Physics and Chemistry.
  • and Language Education:
    • Any two from French, German and Chinese
    • French and Spanish
    • German and Spanish
    • Chinese and Spanish
    • French and Italian
    • German and Italian

NB: Spanish and Italian can only be taken as second subjects. Chinese with Italian is not possible.

Applying for dual qualification status

In your UCAS application, simply make your application for the first subject and state your second subject in your personal statement. At the same time as submitting your UCAS application please inform Admissions of your stated preference via 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.

Programme rankings

Moray House is one of the top 20 Schools in the world for Education and Training (2025 QS World University Rankings). We rank 4th in the UK for Education in the 2025 Times Good University Guide and the 2025 THE World University Ranking.

See our latest rankings

The best thing about the teaching programme at Moray House was learning from the very supportive, experienced tutors and being a part of a diverse, friendly cohort of other students.

Rebecca PGDE Secondary (Chemistry) student

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time

Deposit

You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme.

Costs

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.

Living costs include:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.

University postgraduate accommodation options and costs

Funding opportunities

Funding for PGDE follows the undergraduate model and your tuition fees and the amount of help you can get with these and other costs will vary depending on your fee status.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for your studies

Tuition fee status

Tuition fees for eligible students from Scotland or a non-UK European Union country are paid by Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). Check your fee status to see whether you are eligible.

Tuition fees

For tuition fee purposes, the PGDE is treated in the same way as an undergraduate programme.

One scholarship will be awarded to an applicant accepted onto a PGDE programme who intends to make contributions to the effective teaching of Scottish secondary school curriculum in mathematics or science-based subjects.

Value: £1,500
View details: Tom and Maureen Fairlie Scholarship

One scholarship will be awarded to an applicant accepted onto a PGDE programme from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) background

Value: £1,000
View details: Saroj Lal Scholarship

If you are changing career to teach or if you are currently considering a change, the Teaching Bursary in Scotland can help. The Teaching Bursary is a £15,000 incentive to ease your transition into Initial Teacher Education.

Value: £15,000
View details: Teaching Bursary in Scotland

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

 

These entry requirements are for the 2026/27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027/28 academic year will be published on 1 July 2026.

Qualifications

A 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.

You should also hold the following:

  • SQA Higher English at grade C or GCSE English Language AND GCSE English Literature, both at grade C/4
  • SQA National 5 Mathematics or Applications of Mathematics (formerly Lifeskills Maths) at grade C or GCSE Mathematics at grade C/4

Please contact the admissions office for advice on equivalent qualifications.

futurestudents@ed.ac.uk

We also 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. You should have some knowledge and understanding of the Scottish curriculum. Selection involves a professional interview.

For subject-specific entry requirements, visit the School website 'How to apply' page:

Subject-specific entry requirements and how to apply 

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 6 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 145 with at least 135 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

This programme is comprised of three blocks. Each block contains a balance between University-based and school-based activities.

Campus activities will include lectures and workshops, with a focus on student-centred learning in a multidisciplinary setting.

Professional Placements in schools include observation and analysis of teaching and learning, and teaching practice.

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Full-time

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Placements

Combining campus-based courses taught at Moray House and experiential Professional Placements undertaken in schools, this programme provides an excellent foundation for an impactful career in education.

Professional Placement courses address classroom knowledge and skills; and experience of planning, managing, organising, assessing and evaluating pupil learning and taking on the role of a class teacher for increasing periods of time.

Professional Placements constitute approximately half of the programme, with students allocated a placement usually within one of six key local authorities.

Teaching and assessment

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.  

How we support you

Accreditation

Graduates from this programme are qualified to teach, and eligible for provisional registration from 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.

Career opportunities

Eligibility for Teacher Induction Scheme

Students from Scotland, other parts of the UK (RUK), and Ireland who attended a Scottish Higher Education Institution are eligible to join the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS). TIS is a guaranteed, paid one-year probationary teaching post, organised by the General Teaching Council for Scotland. They may also choose to take up a Flexible Route.

GTCS Teacher Induction Scheme eligibility and details

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 an £8,000 payment made if you complete your Teacher Induction Scheme year in the local authority to which you were allocated.

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a Masters programme:

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

How to apply

As this programme is for initial teacher education, it is processed by the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

You apply to this programme through UCAS.

UCAS: How do I apply

For more information please contact the CAHSS UG Admissions office.

Contact the central admissions team

When to apply

The equal consideration application deadline is 14 January 2026.

Some subjects may remain open beyond this deadline - please contact the Admissions office for further information.

We do not accept applications for deferred entry to this programme.

Application fee

To send your application through UCAS, you will need to pay an application fee.

This fee is £28.95 for 2026 entry.

What you need to apply

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. You should have some knowledge and understanding of the Scottish curriculum. Selection involves a professional interview.

For subject-specific entry requirements and guidance on writing your personal statement, visit the School website 'How to apply' page:

Subject-specific entry requirements and how to apply

Interview

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. You will also be expected to discuss your understanding of young people and the role of a teacher and show some knowledge of Scottish Education. 

Further information about what to expect at the interview will be included in the invite to interview email.

After you apply

After 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. 

We will be in touch with a decision as soon as possible after interview.

Protecting Vulnerable Groups

If we give you an offer, you will need to join Disclosure Scotland's Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme before you start this degree programme.

We will send you information on how to join the PVG scheme.

PVG scheme information on the Scottish Government website

If you live outside the UK

If you live outside the UK, or have spent more than one year living outside the UK, then you will need to provide proof from the relevant national authority.

What our students say

As a newcomer to Edinburgh, I have spent almost every spare minute exploring the city and everything it has to offer. It is a beautiful, interesting and vibrant city, rife with museums, lovely hikes and walks and is a great base for exploring the rest of Scotland... This programme has enabled me to meet people from all over the UK and Ireland whose hometowns I’ve had the opportunity to visit (or am planning to over the summer!).

Emily Bell PGDE Secondary (English) graduate

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Contact our enquiry team about your eligibility or how to apply.

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Admissions Office

Academic contact

Steve McLeister

Programme Director

  • School of Education and Sport (Moray House)

Contact details

Address

Moray House School of Education and Sport
Old Moray House
Holyrood Campus
Edinburgh
EH8 8AQ

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