PGDE Primary (Graduates only)

OVERVIEW

This programme provides the formal teaching qualification for provisional registration with the
General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) – giving you the skills, knowledge and experience to
build a career as a primary school teacher.

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

You will cover a wide range of subjects that feature in the primary school curriculum including
English/Literacy, Health and Wellbeing, and Mathematics/Numeracy.
The programme enables you to develop core skills in planning, teaching, assessment and evaluation
strategies, classroom organisation, building relationships in the classroom, and contemporary issues
in Scottish education.

PROGRAMME DETAILS

• You will gain practical experience through 18 weeks of school experience placements that
occur in at least two primary schools or education and childcare settings within local
authorities in Scotland.
• Upon graduating you will receive the formal teaching qualification necessary for provisional
registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland – a requirement for entry into
the guaranteed one-year Teacher Induction Scheme.

CAREERS
Most UWS graduates remain in mainstream teaching in the UK or abroad. Others work in specialist
educational areas including working with children with additional learning support needs, adult
training, museums, writing and publishing, health education, curriculum development and social
services.

COURSE CONTENT
For the Professional Graduate Diploma Education (PGDE), you will study the following modules:
• PGDE (Primary) Curriculum (core, 40 credits)
• PGDE (Primary) School Experience (core, 40 credits)
Plus:
• PGDE School & Professional Studies (L10) (optional, 40 credits)
Or:
• PGDE School & Professional Studies (L11) (optional, 40 credits)

ASSESSMENT METHOD

The PGDE Primary programme is an intense course, comprising 18 weeks of university teaching
and 18 weeks of placement in primary schools.
The main pedagogy is interactive lectures and workshops. Collaborative tasks and group
learning are integral to the programme.

ASSESSMENT

The module Primary Curriculum is assessed by both examination and assignment.
The module School Experience is assessed based on the GTCS Standards for Provisional
Registration.
The module School and Professional Studies is assessed by assignment.

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Primary