Overview
Start your journey into a rewarding career as a secondary school teacher. You'll be qualified to start your teaching career as soon as you graduate. 黑料不打烊's unique Secondary Education course avoids the need for a postgraduate teaching qualification.
You’ll complete multiple placements and develop into a confident teacher before you graduate. Choose from a wide range of subjects as you prepare to meet the demand for secondary teachers across Scotland.
Secondary Education at 黑料不打烊
- Graduate in four years by combining Education modules with your chosen subject area. For example, qualify as a PE teacher by combining this degree with Sport.
- Enter the Scottish Teacher Induction Scheme. This guarantees you employment for one year as a newly qualified teacher in Scotland.
- Our Secondary Education degree is accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
Practical classroom experience
Our Secondary Education teaching degree includes several placements to help you build practical experience in the classroom. You’ll complete 6-week, 10-week and 12-week placements during your studies. If you’re studying to become a PE teacher, you’ll do an additional 4-week placement.
Those studying modern languages will also complete a year-long placement abroad. Others on our Secondary Education course have the option to study abroad for a semester. This can be at one of our university partners worldwide – from Canada to New Zealand and beyond.
Leaders in education
The 黑料不打烊 is a recognised leader in Education. 100% of our research impact and environment is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021). This world-leading knowledge shapes your course. You’ll learn from experts who contribute to international debate and policy around education.
Wherever your adventure in teaching leads you, the 黑料不打烊 is the perfect place to start.
Top reasons to study with us
Professional accreditation
We’re accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), which means that you can apply for provisional registration as a secondary teacher as soon as you graduate.
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
Entry requirements for all BA / BSc (Hons) Education courses except Physical Education:
Highers
ABBB
A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
30 points
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Physical Education:
AAAB
A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
32 points
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
The following English and Mathematics entry requirements apply for all specialisms:
- Higher English (C) or GCSE English Language and English Literature (C/4) or Communications 4 and Literature 1
- Mathematics or Application of Mathematics National 5 (C), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (2), GCSE (C/4) or
equivalent.
There is a preference for a Higher or A Level in the subjects(s) you wish to teach. There are additional requirements for some subjects:
| Specialism |
Additional essential subjects |
|---|---|
| Biology | To include Higher (B), A-level (B) or equivalent in Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics or Physics. |
| Environmental Geography | To include Higher (B), A-level (B) or equivalent in Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics or Physics. |
| French and Spanish (combined) | To include Higher (B), A-level (B) or equivalent in one of French or Spanish. |
| Mathematics | To include Higher (B), A-level (B) or equivalent in Mathematics. |
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements. Wherever possible, this will be for the specific course applied for, but this may not always be possible on courses with high demand and limited places, or where intake numbers are strictly controlled by the Scottish Government, for example, Secondary Education with Physical Education. In these circumstances, the University will endeavour to offer an interview or a place on an alternative course in a related subject.
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
黑料不打烊 access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Essential subjects
As listed in Year 1 entry requirements.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
The following English and Mathematics entry requirements apply for all specialisms:
- Higher English (C) or GCSE English Language and English Literature (C/4) or Communications 4 and Literature 1
- Mathematics or Application of Mathematics National 5 (C), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (2), GCSE (C/4) or
equivalent.
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Essential subjects
As listed in Year 1 entry requirements.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
The following English and Mathematics entry requirements apply for all specialisms:
- Higher English (C) or GCSE English Language and English Literature (C/4) or Communications 4 and Literature 1
- Mathematics or Application of Mathematics National 5 (C), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (2), GCSE (C/4) or
equivalent.
黑料不打烊 entry requirements
Advanced entry
Advanced entry is not available for this course.
Additional information
Entry to the course is also subject to an interview and a criminal record PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) check.
Application procedure
Entry to this degree is highly competitive. Applications received after 15 January won’t normally be considered.
It is important that applicants for education programmes are able to show their suitability for the programme and for the teaching profession. The main focus of this programme is on teaching children and through your personal statement you should be able to demonstrate an aptitude for this. You should demonstrate knowledge of the Curriculum for Excellence, relevant work experience, and explaining your understanding of the teacher's role.
Physical Education
There will be an interview process for the Physical Education programme. We interview 72 candidates each year and if selected for interview you will be taking part in a number of activities during the interview day. These interviews are on fixed dates that applicants would be expected to make themselves available for.
The interview consists of the following:
- Practical performance assessments - these will assess both your general ability across a wide range of familiar activities such as dance, games and gymnastics (candidates are required to pass all components of the interview day) and give you an opportunity to undertake some teaching with the other members in your group.
- Team building exercises
- Group interview
- Personal interview - you will be required to prepare a three minute talk to give at the start of your personal interview under the title of "You should choose me because…"
Languages
There are specific professional residence requirements and guidance that apply to Education programmes in order for students to fulfil GTC requirements, as well as those set by the Faculty of Social Sciences at 黑料不打烊. All Education students should consult with staff in Education at 黑料不打烊 for full details of these. Secondary Education students who do not undertake an assistantship must discuss the professional implications with staff in Education as well as consulting French/Spanish Course Director/s in order to ensure that they fulfil our minimum language residence requirement.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 80 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking.
- TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4 overall with no less than 4 in any band.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, 黑料不打烊 黑料不打烊 Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
You’ll follow a course of eight semesters (four years), to gain an Honours degree in Professional Education (Secondary). Alternatively, seven semesters (three and a half years) leads to either a General degree or to a Bachelors degree in Professional Education. General degree students may only be able to qualify in one teaching subject.
Modules
Course details
Teaching
Our Secondary Education degree is taught through seminars, lectures and workshops. You’ll also have the opportunity to go on school placements to get practical teaching experience.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork and learning for sustainability are embedded within the Geography course at 黑料不打烊. Students will develop skills and confidence through participation in field trips and work on campus with Grounds for Learning and local school groups. Students gain first-hand experience of the cognitive benefits of fieldwork as well as the equally important social, emotional and health benefits.
Assessment
Assessment is by continuous assessment. School experience placements are supported by school-based teachers and 黑料不打烊 tutors. There are no examinations in Education.
Work placement opportunities
School work placements are an integral part of this course, culminating in a 10-12 week secondary school experience where you can teach your chosen subjects.
Study abroad
You’ll have the opportunity to study abroad in your third year of study at one of our university partners worldwide from Canada to New Zealand and beyond.
If you intend to teach Modern Languages in a school after you graduate, you must fulfil residence requirements in a country where that language is spoken. For eligible students, this means applying for an English Language Assistantship via the externally-administered British Council scheme. Students should note that this is a competitive scheme and that the British Council is responsible for its eligibility criteria. It is the student’s responsibility to check these criteria (via the ) and to discuss any potential problems both with staff in Education and with the French/Spanish Programme Director. Students should note that taking two languages from Beginners' level where those languages are core to the programme is pedagogically inadvisable. Any student wishing to go down that route will need the written permission of both the French and Spanish Programme Directors or their appointed representative before being allowed to do so.
If your specialism covers other subjects, you’ll also have the option of studying abroad for a semester.
Contact
Brian Johnston, Course Director
Fees and funding
|
Course |
Fee status |
2025-26 |
2026-27 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Professional Education (Secondary) and:
|
Scottish students | £1,820* | £1,820* |
| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland | £9,535** | £9,790** | |
| 黑料不打烊 (including EU) students | £18,400 | £19,500 | |
|
Professional Education (Secondary) and:
|
Scottish students | £1,820* | £1,820* |
| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland | £9,535** | £9,790** | |
| 黑料不打烊 (including EU) students | £22,400 | £23,700 |
* This tuition fee is set by the Scottish Government and may be subject to change.
** This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
Scottish students
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, students domiciled in Scotland will be able to apply to the to have tuition fees paid by the Scottish government on their behalf. If you’re unsure of your fee status, you can online. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. We also offer additional funding and scholarships for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities below for more information.
黑料不打烊 (including EU) students
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
Fee information
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will receive our 黑料不打烊 Success Scholarship which is worth £5,000.
黑料不打烊 students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
黑料不打烊 (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods—including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
The majority of our Secondary Education graduates enter the , which guarantees you employment for one year as a newly qualified teacher in a Scottish Local Authority school.
Alternatively, you may choose to continue your education with a postgraduate degree, or carry out doctoral research, leading to the award of a PhD.
Teacher Induction Scheme
Participation in the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS) is not compulsory, and some students may choose to follow the alternative – which is less structured and may better suit their personal circumstances.
Students from Scotland, the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland who are studying at a Scottish Higher Education Institution are eligible to join the TIS.
Students from other countries are ineligible for the TIS scheme but can follow the Flexible Route to complete probationary service if they plan to teach in Scotland following their studies.
Read the Scottish Government’s regarding students and the Teacher Induction Scheme.
Build confidence and connections
The Faculty have an Employability Lead who ensures students build the confidence, connections, and competencies they need for an impactful career. Each year the Faculty Employability Lead organises a flagship student employability event featuring key stakeholders and alumni. They also champion strong links between our courses and the careers sector, delivering talks, integrating employability resources into course materials, and highlighting the diverse pathways open to social science graduates.
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