Course contact details
Admissions Office
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
Secondary Education (Chemistry)
- Master of Arts (with Honours)
- 48 Months
- Full-Time
- 13 September 2027
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
Spark a passion for STEM in the next generation of learners to help them discover a world of possibilities and develop essential skills to unlock their future careers. Our programme offers a flexible pathway to transition from college to university and build solid grounding in your specialist subject to become a secondary teacher in chemistry.
We aim to enhance your knowledge and skills to face the challenges of 21st-century teaching to inspire young students to engage in STEM education, using a variety of teaching approaches and practical applications. Our degree offers a flexible route for HND graduates in chemistry to transition from college to complete our MA (Hons) in Secondary Education, allowing you to earn a qualification teaching STEM within secondary schools.
In the first year (Year 3) of university learning, you will undertake 60 credits in Education alongside 60 credits in chemistry courses that would build on your prior learning and give you a strong grounding to take your knowledge into schools in the final year of the MA programme. The education courses studied in Year 3 give firm foundations about policy, and STEM education that can be built on in Year 4. You can tailor your educational journey to your interests and exit at the end of Year 3 if desired.
Regulations are in place so that progression into Year 4 and teacher education is through satisfactory interview checks on relevant entry criteria (credits, English and Maths etc.) set out by the memorandum of entry. Year 4 follows the accredited PGDE Secondary programme which includes one Education course (60 credits) and one placement-based 60-credit course (18 weeks total in two different schools) teaching chemistry in secondary schools.
After completing the MA (Honours) Secondary Education with Chemistry, you will be provisionally registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and able to move into your probationary year teaching your specialism in secondary schools across Scotland.
Modules
Course Modules
You will study 120 credits in Year 3 and Year 4 of the programme. Semester 1: STEM and Computing Science in Society and Education (30 credits) and relevant subject courses from Science (30 credits) Semester 2: Conceptual Learning in STEM and Computing Science (30 credits) and relevant subject courses from Science (30 credits)
Assessment method
You are assessed in the following ways: Written assessments including essays and reflective discussions; Presentations demonstrating subject knowledge and using evidence from professional practice; Professional practice assessments in secondary schools.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- General Teaching Council for Scotland
How to apply
Apply by
13 January 2027
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:
- X1F1
- Institution code:
- A20
- Campus name:
- Main Site
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 3
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Entry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
A levelNot accepted
UCAS TariffNot accepted
Scottish HNDPass
Satisfactory completion of HND Applied Sciences (240 SCQF credit points), with B in Graded Unit 1 and A in Graded Unit 2. Curriculum to include either Ecology unit (H39A 34 or J4RA 34), AND Statistics for Science (H8XT 33). Alternatively University of Aberdeen Online Courses in "Introductory Ecology" and "Statistics".
Curriculum must include: Organic Stereochemistry: Theory and Laboratory Skills (H934 35); Instrumental Techniques 1 (J5R2 35/H930 35); Inorganic Chemistry: Theory and Laboratory Skills (H932 35/H92Y 34); Aromatic Chemistry: Theory and Laboratory Skills (H92N 35); Statistics for Science 1 (H8XT 33); Physics 2 (H93E 35); Electronics (H93M 35); Relativity and Quantum mechanics (J676 35/H93K 35); Dynamical Phenomena (J4C0 35); Linear Algebra 1 (J81W 34/J2RB 34); Linear Algebra 2 (J5WF 35/J2RC 35); Programming Foundations (H17X 34) or equivalent.
Scottish HigherNot accepted
Access to HE DiplomaNot accepted
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)Not accepted
English Minimum
• SCE Higher grade award in English* at Grade B 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.
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.
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.
Entry requirements for students joining after Year 1: This Degree is only for eligible students who have undertaken a relevant Higher National Diploma (HND) in Applied Sciences, which allows entry direct into Year 3. Certain modules MUST have been undertaken to be considered for entry so please see further details on our Online Prospectus at www.abdn.ac.uk. https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/degree-programmes/2112/X1F1/secondary-education-honours-with-chemistry/
Additional entry requirements
- Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) / Disclosure Scotland Check
- 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.https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/undergraduate-degrees-english-requirements-268.php
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 2027/2028. For guidance, the fees on the website are for 2026/27.
Sponsorship information
RUK and Ireland Entrance Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is committed to attracting the brightest students, regardless of financial circumstances. To support this commitment, we are delighted to offer an entrance scholarship for undergraduate students joining us from England, Northern Ireland, Wales, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man in September 2027. This scholarship is designed to provide meaningful support, helping students manage the cost of living and settle into life at university.
Please note, this scholarship is only available for Aberdeen campus-based students in their first year of entry to undergraduate study.
Eligible students will automatically receive:
- A £2,000 discount towards University accommodation.
- A £50 weekly catering card allowance to use in university outlets for 27 weeks of teaching and exams.
This support helps make student life in Aberdeen more affordable, while giving you access to high-quality university accommodation and on-campus dining.
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