Course contact details
Student Recruitment & Admissions
Email:futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
Phone:0131 650 1000
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
Old College
South Bridge
Edinburgh
EH8 9YL
PGDE Primary (Graduates only) (Taught)
- Scotland
- 1 Years
- Full-Time
- August 2027
- Postgraduate
- Central area campus
Course summary
This Professional Graduate Diploma in Education is for graduates wishing to enter the teaching profession in Scotland at primary level. The one-year programme is the Scottish route to qualified teacher status. We aim to produce successful, reflective teachers, sensitive to the demands of pupils, responsive to changes within the education system and committed to their own continuing professional development. The 36-week primary programme is an intensive programme of study, half of which is spent in placement schools, with the other half spent studying on campus. Your learning follows the chronological sequence of pupil development – the focus is initially on early years, moving to the middle primary and then upper primary years.
The detailed information on the University of Edinburgh course page is for 2026 entry. Information for 2027 entry will be published in early October.
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:
- Has qualified teacher status
How to apply
This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you're eligible to apply.
- Republic of Ireland does not have vacancies
- Rest of UK does not have vacancies
- Scotland does not have vacancies
- International does not have vacancies
- EU does not have vacancies
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:
- X100
- Institution code:
- E56
- Campus name:
- Central area campus
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
A levelNot accepted
Scottish HigherNot accepted
Access to HE DiplomaNot accepted
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)Not accepted
A UK undergraduate degree, or its international equivalent and a high level of experience in a primary school classroom setting. You should also hold the following:
• SQA Higher English at minimum grade C or GCSE English Language AND GCSE English Literature, both passed at grade C/4 or above,
• SQA National 5 Mathematics or Applications of Mathematics (formerly Lifeskills Maths) at grade C or above, GCSE Mathematics at grade C or above, or equivalent.
We also expect you to have experience of working with children in formal or informal settings (both employment and volunteering roles will be considered) and an ability to reflect thoughtfully on that experience. You should have some knowledge and understanding of the Scottish curriculum. Please note selection involves a professional interview. http://www.ed.ac.uk/pg/123
Additional entry requirements
- Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) / Disclosure Scotland Check
- Interview
- Other
- We also expect you to have experience of working with children in formal or informal settings (both employment and volunteering roles will be considered) and an ability to reflect thoughtfully on that experience. You should have some knowledge and understanding of the Scottish curriculum.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | total 92 with at least 23 in each component (before 21 Jan 2026); total 4.5 with at least 4.5 in each component (from 21 January 2026). We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. | |
| Cambridge English Advanced | total 176 with at least 169 in each component | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | total 176 with at least 169 in each component |
You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following: an English language test; a degree that was taught and assessed in English (conditions apply); certain professional qualifications. We accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. We also accept other English language tests and qualifications from around the world. See our website for all the qualifications and tests we accept, and their expiry dates (how old your English language requirements can be).https://study.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/applying/entry-requirements/english-language
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland | £1820 | |
| England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland | £10050 | |
| EU & International | £31100 |
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
Scotland - Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.
England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) students commencing or continuing their studies in September 2027, the tuition fees will be £10,050.
EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.
Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme
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At The University of Edinburgh
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