Course contact details
Directorate of External Relations
Email:study@abdn.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0) 1224 272090
University of Aberdeen
Directorate of Global Engagement, Marketing and Recruitment
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX
Primary Education
- MA (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Full-time
- 14 September 2026
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
The MA Education (Hons) degree in Primary teaching at Aberdeen produces creative, confident, motivated and reflective primary teachers. You will benefit from opportunities to engage with placement learning from year one whilst on-campus learning develops your understanding of theory and research. Your academic studies will be supported by exceptional staff within the School and the wider University so that, with experience in school each year, you can become equipped to inspire and guide young minds in the 21st century.
The School of Education has a long and distinguished record in the education of teachers with a culturally stimulating creative environment within the School, the University and across our wide networks. Our MA Primary Education programme is accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), so on graduation you can apply for provisional registration as a primary teacher. You will be embarking on both an academic degree and a professional qualification from the start and consequently, part of the application process will be an opportunity to attend an interview. There are also many exciting professional learning and development opportunities with us beyond graduation.
Teaching is an exciting and demanding job that requires a range of personal and professional qualities. You will gain an in-depth understanding of what motivates younger students. You will explore teaching methods and issues not only within the core curriculum areas of literacy, numeracy and health and well-being but in terms of contemporary and global issues such as inclusion, social justice, diversity, sustainability and creativity.
Our highly qualified, experienced staff bring a wide range of expertise in learning and teaching. Many are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for research and development work in their particular specialist fields and you will benefit from the partnerships built over many years with communities, education authorities and other professionals.
Graduates wishing to apply for primary teaching training, should apply for the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE). PGDE courses in both primary and secondary education are available and are professionally accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).
More information on the PGDE, can be found at abdn.ac.uk/pgt/secondary and abdn.ac.uk/pgt/primary.
PVG Check
A Protection of Vulnerable Group (PVG) check through Disclosure Scotland will be conducted by the University prior to final acceptance. The PVG check will also evidence residency in Scotland. This is required of all applicants who accept an offer of admission for PGDE Online Primary, even those who have been checked previously. For UK applicants, resident in Scotland, who have lived outside the UK for any period of time, in accepting an offer of admission, an Enhanced criminal record check through Disclosure Scotland will be conducted and in addition, it will be necessary for the applicant to obtain a criminal record check from the country they are from/lived in. The PVG check is paid for by the applicant and is processed after an applicant confirms their firm acceptance of their place.
Modules
View all modules on the programme page to find out more about what you will be studying and when. University of Aberdeen modules are designed to give you breadth and depth to your degree. The range of modules you study will allow you to become proficient in all subjects which are directly relevant to your degree giving you greater career options.
Assessment method
The use of various forms of assessment and learning environments facilitates the development of generic transferable skills enhancing student employability.
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods: coursework such as essays, reports, group presentations and portfolios completed throughout the course; practical assessments of skills, competencies and professional knowledge, and individual presentations, poster presentations, essays and examinations at the end of a course. The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- General Teaching Council for Scotland
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
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
How to apply
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- X120
- Institution code:
- A20
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
In addition to tuition fees, students will require money to cover their living costs including accommodation, food, books, entertainment, clothing, phone bills, local travel, and laundry. These expenses will vary depending on your lifestyle and spending habits. In keeping with UKVI rules, we recommend that student’s budget £1,136 per month to cover their living costs and you have to evidence 9 months’ worth of maintenance (£10,224) when applying for your visa. You also have to pay the NHS health surcharge of £776 per each year of study, when applying for a visa.
When you apply for your Student Visa, you will be required to evidence these funds in your personal bank account (or a parent’s personal bank account (NOT a Business Account). Therefore, you will have to evidence your 1st years tuition fees (minus the International Scholarship for self-paying students) and the maintenance amount of £10,224. These funds have to have been in your account for a minimum of 28-consecutive days immediately prior to applying for your visa. If the amount in your account drops below the required amount, the 28-day period starts over.
International students who will be studying for more than 6 months are permitted to work for 20 hours per week during term-time, though this may be increased during the holiday periods. Please note this must not be relied upon as a means to fund your studies, as you have to evidence your funding when applying for your Student Visa.
Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff Not accepted
A level BBC
A minimum of 3 A Levels at BBC.
Mathematics and English are required, as stated below.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) Not accepted
Scottish Higher BBBB
A minimum of 4 Highers at BBBB from S4 and S5. Those seeking to qualify over S5 and S6 will be expected to exceed this minimum. Higher English required, and Nat 5 Maths or Nat 5 Application of Maths required as part of your entry qualifications.
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) Not accepted
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 32 points
32 points at 5, 5, 5 at HL. Maths and English required, as stated below.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) H2, H3, H3, H3
A minimum of 4 subjects at Higher Level with one subject at H2 AND three subjects at H3 minimum. Must include English mininum of H3 and Maths minimum O4.
Scottish HNC
Qualifications such as Early Education and Childcare will be accepted as one subject alongside 3 additional subjects at Higher Level or equivalent. We require a minimum of 4 separate SCQF Level 6 subjects. So an HNC or an HND in any subject counts as one. Three more SCQF Level 6 subjects are required. This must include Higher English at Grade B (or an equivalent as detailed below), plus two further separate subjects at SCQF Level 6. If these are Highers, grade C or above is required. Where a Foundation Apprenticeship is presented, this will count as an SCQF Level 6 subject at grade A. In addition, a Maths qualification, as detailed below, must be achieved.
Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6)
One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.
English Minimum
• SCE Higher grade award in English* at Grade C or above; or
• A Level English, Grade C or above; or
• GCSE English Language AND English Literature, at Level 6 (previously Grade B) or above IN BOTH; or
• O Level English Language AND English Literature, Grade B or above or pass IN BOTH; or
• International Baccalaureate English at HL Grade 5; or
• Irish Leaving Certificate English at Higher Grade 3 or above; or
• National Course award (Higher Still) in English and Communication at Grade B or above; or
• National Units – Communication (NC) at Higher level and Literature 1 at Higher level **; or
• University of Aberdeen Online English (see below) or
• English of an equivalent academic standard from outside the UK.
*Higher ESOL acceptable for entry to PGDE Secondary only, NOT PGDE Primary or undergraduate Primary.
** Previously known as National Certificate Modules Communication 4 & Literature 1
Mathematics Minimum
• National 5 Mathematics at Grade C or above; or
• National 5 Applications of Mathematics (previously known as Lifeskills Maths) at Grade C or above; or
• Core Maths 4 Pass; or
• GCSE Mathematics at Level 4, or Grade C or above or Pass; or
• O Level Mathematics at Grade C or above or Pass; or
• International Baccalaureate Maths at SL Grade 4; or
• Irish Leaving Certificate Mathematics at Ordinary Grade 4; or
• National Course Award Intermediate Level 2 Mathematics at Grade C or above; or
• SCE Standard grade (credit level) award in Mathematics at Grade 2 or above; or
• SCE Ordinary grade award in Mathematics at Grade C or above or Pass; or
• Open University Course – MU123 Discovering Mathematics#, Pass; or
• University of Aberdeen Online Maths (see below) or
• Mathematics of an equivalent academic standard from outside the UK.
Please note that with regard to OU MU123 – the course generally starts in January each year with exam results issued in the December of the same year.
The following are not accepted as a Mathematics qualification at the University of Aberdeen: Standard Grade 3 or below, GCSE Grade D or below, CSE Grade 1, O Level Grade 3.
The University will consult UK ENIC (The UK National Information Centre for global qualifications and skills), to determine whether or not qualifications achieved outside the UK meet the entry requirements detailed above.
University of Aberdeen Online English and Mathematics
The University of Aberdeen has launched online access courses, in English and in Mathematics. English is at SCQF Level 6 - the equivalent to Higher English and there are three Maths courses - SCQF Level 5, Level 6 and Level 7. All are accepted by the University of Aberdeen for entry to teacher training. For MA Primary we would require Aberdeen Online Access English (SCQF6) at Grade B3 or above and Aberdeen Online Access Maths (SCQF5) at Grade C3 or above. Full information on the Online provision, including costs, can be found at www.abdn.ac.uk/study/online/access-courses.php.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Additional entry requirements
- Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
- A Protection of Vulnerable Group (PVG) check through Disclosure Scotland will be conducted by the University. This is required of all applicants who firmly accept an unconditional offer of admission (so their status is UF), even those who have been checked previously. For non UK applicants, or UK applicants who have lived outside the UK for any period of time, an Enhanced criminal record check through Disclosure Scotland will be conducted at the point they become UF and in addition, it will be necessary for the applicant to obtain a criminal record check from the country they are from/lived in. Applicants who firmly accept conditional offers of admission will not undergo PVG unless they move to UF on receipt of exam results. Applicants who make Aberdeen their insurance choice will not undergo PVG unless their status at Aberdeen shows UF. The PVG check is required because the first placement takes place in the January following the start of term in the September.
- Interview
- An interview forms part of the selection process at Aberdeen as candidates are beginning their professional qualification from year one with placement in every year of the course. The information presented in the UCAS Application will be used to determine whether or not an applicant is invited for interview. Performance at interview will determine whether or not any offer will be made.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | Overall - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 5.5 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 78 | TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition (online) - DI code is 0818: Overall 78 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 18 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above. |
| PTE Academic | 59 | Overall - 59 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online Test is not accepted. |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | Pass overall at ISE II with a distinction in writing and merit in the other three skills. |
| Institution's Own Test | Academic English Pre-sessional Programmes - Pass (valid for one year) OR Academic English Preparation Programme - Pass at Level Four (valid for one year) | |
| Cambridge English Advanced | C | Overall - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing -169. |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | C | Overall - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing -169. |
To study for an undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations.
We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, or through a recognised English language test. Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your degree programme, unless otherwise stated.
Please use the checklist at the following webpage to determine how you can meet our English language requirements: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/undergraduate-degrees-english-requirements-268.php
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
We are keen to encourage students from the widest possible range of backgrounds to participate in University studies, and we appreciate that not all students have the same opportunity to meet our advertised entry requirements.
For this reason we take contextualised information into account when making decisions on the applications we have received. Decisions are made in line with the University's Contexualised Admissions Policy.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not available
Historical entry grades data is not currently available for University of Aberdeen - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
Fee information is not yet published for entry in Academic Year 2026/2027. For guidance, the fees on the website are for 2025/26.
Sponsorship information
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.
International Students: The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme. This scholarship is in the form of a tuition fee waiver. To be eligible students must be registering for a full-time, on-campus programme and cannot be in receipt of external scholarships or other University of Aberdeen scholarships, except for awards granted by the University of Aberdeen Development Trust. Please note that the scholarship does not apply to the DPLP or Medicine.
View the University of Aberdeen Online Prospectus programme page to find out about any scholarships and funding you may be eligible to apply for.
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