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PGDE Secondary (Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies)
- PGDES
- 1 Years
- Full-time
- 08/2026
- Undergraduate
- Queen Margaret University
Course summary
Are you are a graduate in a related degree to Religious Studies, Philosophy, Theology, Divinity, Sociology of Religion. Anthropology of Religion or Psychology of Religion? Are you looking for an inspiring, challenging and socially empowering career? Our one-year PGDE Secondary (Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies) course will prepare you to teach Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies in Scottish Secondary Schools and beyond, providing you with an internationally recognised Secondary teaching qualification.
If you are passionate about Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies especially with a social justice, sustainability and health and wellbeing agenda, then there has never been a more important time to learn the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to enable you to transform young lives and contribute to both community and global wellbeing. As a graduate of our unique course, you will help to prepare young people to face the challenges of 21st century citizenship.
The PGDE Secondary (Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies) course will engage you in a critical understanding of contemporary ‘real world’ issues by studying key aspects of religious and philosophical questions, and potential solutions offered by religious and non-religious perspectives. You will learn how to underpin your inclusive practices with the key themes of social justice, sustainability and health and wellbeing to enable all young people to make informed moral decisions enabling them to put their values and beliefs into action to the benefit of others and the environment. You will also learn about the role you can play as a Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies teacher to drive forward the discipline within its contemporary social, cultural, and political contexts.
Professional enquiry is an important aspect of the teacher’s role. On our course we will teach you how to conduct research in your classroom to enable you to make evidence-based decisions in support of pupils’ learning.
Modules
- Reflective and Critical Practice (Placement Modules) (40 credits)
- Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies in the 21st Century (40 credits)
- Education: Theory, Practice and Research 1 (20 credits)
- Education: Theory, Practice and Research 2 (20 credits)
Assessment method
School placements will account for some of the contact hours. You will undertake independent learning tasks and student-led lectures, presentations, debates, seminars and practicums.
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:
- Secondary
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:
- 0003
- Institution code:
- Q25
- Campus name:
- Queen Margaret University
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff
Successful applicants must, as a minimum, meet the requirements as set by the Memorandum on Entry Requirements to Courses of Initial Teacher Education in Scotland produced by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), which specifies general entrance requirements for all applicants and subject specific requirements for Secondary applicants.
Minimum entry requirements:
• a degree validated by a higher education institution in the United Kingdom or a degree of an equivalent standard from an institution outside the United Kingdom
• the degree should normally contain 80 SCQF credit points relevant to the teaching qualification being studied, including 40 credits at SCQF level 8.
80 SCQF credit points must come from two or more of the following areas: Religious Studies, Theology, Divinity, Philosophy, Sociology of Religion, Anthropology of Religion, Psychology of Religion
PLUS
• A National Qualification in English at SCQF Level 6, for example:
- Higher English Grade C or;
- A Level English, Grade D or;
- GCSE English Language AND English Literature, at 4/C IN BOTH or;
- Irish Leaving Certificate Higher English at Grade H4/C2.
AND
• A National Qualification in Mathematics at SCQF Level 5, for example:
-Standard Grade/Int 2/National 5 Mathematics Grade C or;
-GCSE Mathematics at 4/C or;
-Irish Leaving Certificate Mathematics Ordinary Grade O3/B3.
Please note National 5 Lifeskills/Applications Mathematics is accepted in place of National 5 Mathematics.
Additional entry requirements
- Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
- Interview
- Other
- By law graduates of this course must register with the GTCS before they can be employed as a teacher in a Scottish education authority nursery, primary, secondary or special school. A teacher’s fitness to teach (ie in term of conduct) will be considered at the point of application for registration.
English language requirements
IELTS with an overall score equivalent to 6.5 and with no individual component less than 6.0.
QMU English Language Requirements https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/international-students/english-language-requirements/
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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 enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| England | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| International | £9725 | Year 1 |
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
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Queen Margaret University Drive
Musselburgh
Edinburgh
EH21 6UU
Visit our website Visit our course page
Course contact details
Main Contact - Admissions
Email:admissions@qmu.ac.uk
Phone:0131 474 0000
Fax: 0131 474 0001
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