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Biology with Science (PGDE - Graduates only)

  • PGDES
  • 9 Months
  • Full-time
  • 19/08/2026
  • Undergraduate
University of Strathclyde
More about University of Strathclyde

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

The Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) is the graduate entry route to those who want to become a Primary or Secondary teacher in Scotland. The PGDE is an internationally recognised qualification, newly qualified teachers will be able to apply for qualified teacher status (QTS) or equivalent in their home country.

Applicant Information Hub
We’ve mapped out the process for applying to the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) on our website. Please read this information thoroughly before starting your application. This process applies to both the Primary Education and Secondary Education routes.
https://www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/subjects/teaching/pgde/

Why PGDE Biology with Science ? This course is a professional training course which qualifies you to teach secondary education.
The qualification is recognised throughout the world and is regulated by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and the Scottish Government.
You learn from on-campus classes and 18 weeks of placements in schools in Scotland.
The qualification allows you to teach in locations worldwide.
If you're a Scottish, rest of UK or EU student, you're guaranteed a job for one year in a Scottish school after you graduate.
Ranked Top 10 in the UK for Education (Complete University Guide 2025)

The biology component of the PGDE course builds on your existing knowledge of biology to transform it into a form which school pupils can understand. You'll work in groups with other student teachers to explore the practicalities of teaching a biology class before, during and after the lesson. What prior knowledge do the pupils have about the topic? What misconceptions are they likely to have and how can you address them?

What about behaviour management? How can you plan practical work so it engages pupils’ thinking? How can you help pupils to learn to love biology? Once you have taught the lesson, how will you reflect on what you could do better in future.

Your Career
A degree in education will equip you for a range of careers working with children and young people. Most of our PGDE graduates go on to work as teachers in secondary schools across the country.

Recent graduate job titles include:
Secondary Teacher
Head Teacher
Further Education Lecturer
Special Educational Needs Teacher

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
This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • University of Strathclyde

Study options

  • PGDES • Full-time • 9 Months

Start dates

  • 19/08/2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
8X64
Institution code:
S78
Campus name:
University of Strathclyde
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

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:
8X64
Institution code:
S78
Campus name:
University of Strathclyde
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

Scottish Higher

Higher (SCQF Level 6) English Grade C or above

GCSE/National 4/National 5

A national qualification in English at SCQF Level 6 (Higher) Grade C or above. A national qualification in Maths at SCQF Level 5 (National 5) Grade C or above. Acceptable alternative Maths and English qualifications are listed on our PGDE FAQs page: https://www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/subjects/teaching/pgde/pgdefaqs/

The entry requirements for PGDE courses are based on the requirements set by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).

An ordinary degree or international equivalent.

Degree must include:

at least 80 SCQF credits in biology. Credits should cover one subject from list A and list B below:
List A
Animal biology
Biochemistry
Human biology
Biomolecular science
List B
Botany
Plant biology
Medical-related degrees are not appropriate due to their clinical nature.

Please visit our PGDE FAQ's page for individual Maths & English entry requirements: https://www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/subjects/teaching/pgde/pgdefaqs/

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Interview
Interview process If selected you’ll be asked to an interview with a number of other candidates who have applied for places either in your own subject or that are taught in the same division as your chosen subject. If selected for interview, applicants will be notified after the UCAS deadline. Interview result After the interview, a panel will collate the grades from your presentation and the individual interview. They will then make a decision as to your suitability for the course. The possible results of the interview are: - Unconditional offer - Conditional offer (you still need to satisfy the entry qualifications in some way) - A rejection of your application The subject coordinator will send the results to the Faculty Admissions Team who will, in turn, communicate the results to UCAS. UCAS will then communicate the result to you. Watch our video on how to apply for the PGDE: http://bit.ly/PGDEapply

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

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

For further information on tuition fees, additional costs and funding for this programme, please view the "Fees and funding" section on the programme website.

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