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Secondary (English Medium)

  • Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Scotland)
  • 2 Years
  • Part-time
  • August 2026
  • Undergraduate
Inverness
Awarded by:
University of the Highlands and Islands
More about University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Course options

2026-2027
Apply directly to the university/college

Course summary

What is special about this course?

This PGDE Secondary (English Medium) (Part-time) programme is aimed at graduates wishing to follow a part-time route to become a Secondary teacher in Scotland.

It begins with online study, Monday evening online seminars and one day per week in school, and builds up to five-day weeks in school placements, between April and June of year 2. Please read the FAQs to see a draft calendar and for more detail about the course structure.

Secondary subjects available on the part-time programme:

◾ Biology and Science
◾ Chemistry and Science
◾ Computing Science
◾ English
◾ Gaelic
◾ Home Economics
◾ Mathematics
◾ Physics and Science
◾ Religious Education
◾ Technological Education

Special features
◾ Can be studied from anywhere in Scotland
◾ Course team of experienced teachers
◾ School based mentors
◾ School placements offered locally

How long will my course last?
Part-time (structured): 2 years @ 16 hours per week (up to approximately 35 hours per week in April-June of the second year)

Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, including time spent on individual study, in lectures and tutorials, and on placement.

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

Please note:

◾There are equivalent qualification entry guidelines for primary teaching stipulated by GTC Scotland. These are available from the GTC Scotland website: Memorandum on Entry Requirements to Programmes of Initial Teacher Education in Scotland (GTCS 2024) (Appendix A)
◾This is a Category 1 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required to successfully achieve target qualification, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in key elements of the course. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage
◾This course does not accept applications for deferred entry; if you wish to take a year out, for example, you must apply next year.
◾Applications for this course must be made through the link on our webpage.
◾Our full-time programmes are not available by distance learning.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Inverness

Study options

  • Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Scotland) • Part-time • 2 Years

Start dates

  • August 2026

Entry requirements

A level
D

English - must be held prior to application to the course

Scottish Higher
C

English - must be held prior to application to the course

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Must be held prior to application to the course:

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 (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent

You must hold an undergraduate degree and meet these subject specific requirements - https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/t4-media/one-web/university/courses/pdfs/pgde-secondary-subject-specific-requirements.pdf in addition to the English and Maths requirements.

There are subject specific entry guidelines for secondary teaching stipulated by GTC Scotland in the 2019 Memorandum on Entry Requirements to Programmes of Initial Teacher Education in Scotland. Details can be found in our FAQ document - https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/t4-media/one-web/university/courses/pdfs/pgde-secondary-subject-specific-requirements.pdf

You should only apply for either the part-time or full-time programme, whichever best suits your circumstances.

It is essential that you read the Frequently Asked Questions document on the University website prior to submitting your application: https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/t4-media/one-web/university/courses/pdfs/pgde-secondary-subject-specific-requirements.pdf

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Successful applicants will be required to complete a PVG Disclosure Check and become PVG Scheme Members in order to undertake this course. Applicants who have lived outside the UK for a period of six or more consecutive months in the past 5 years will also be required to provide a criminal record check(s) from all the relevant country(-ies) prior to enrolment on the programme.
Interview
Selection events are usually held virtually

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.

UHI is committed to achieving widening access, and achieving a fair balance of entrants to higher education. Widening access can be broadly defined as ‘ensuring fair access to higher education’. Widening access is principally about ensuring that those who have the ability and potential to benefit from a higher education, irrespective of their background or economic circumstances can do so.

Learn more on the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) website

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.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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

For full information on fees please see our Undergraduate Tuition Fees page at https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/studying-at-uhi/first-steps/how-much-will-it-cost/ug/
For course specific fees information please refer to the Fees/funding tab on the university website course page.
You can also find information on additional funding available such as bursaries and scholarships at https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/studying-at-uhi/first-steps/how-much-will-it-cost/funding-your-studies/bursaries-and-scholarships/

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