Program Overview
The Master's (Master's Degree) in Professional Graduate Diploma in Education at University of the West of Scotland is a rigorous postgraduate programme delivered on-campus at University of the West of Scotland. Designed for graduates and professionals seeking advanced expertise in education, the programme develops both theoretical foundations and applied skills essential for today's competitive environment.
Spanning 9 months, students engage with cutting-edge research, industry-relevant case studies, and practical projects. Instruction is delivered in English by research-active faculty with professional expertise.
The programme culminates in a dissertation or capstone project. Graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles, research careers, and doctoral study in education.
Key Program Features
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
- You will gain practical experience through school experience placements, normally 18 weeks in at least two primary schools or education and childcare settings within local authorities in Scotland
- Upon graduating, you will receive the formal teaching qualification necessary for provisional registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland. This is a requirement for entry into the guaranteed one-year Teacher Induction Scheme (for eligible graduates only).
Career Opportunities
Career Prospects
You receive the formal teaching qualification necessary for provisional registration with the GTCS, a requirement for entry into the guaranteed one-year Teacher Induction Scheme (for eligible graduates).
Most UWS graduates remain in mainstream teaching in the UK or abroad. Others work in specialist educational areas including working with children with additional learning support needs, adult training, museums, writing and publishing, health education, curriculum development, and social services.
Program Curriculum
PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES AT UWS
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
- 10-week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.0 with no element below 4.5.
- 5-week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.5 with no element below 5.5.
- English Language for University Study - entry criteria UKVI IELTS with an overall score of 4.0, plus a score of 4.0 in all sub-tests (10-month course), or an overall score of 4.5, plus no score below 4.0 in all sub-tests (7-month course).
Find out more about our English language Courses.
Admission Requirements
Entry Requirements
What qualifications do you need?
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our Postgraduate Entry Requirements page which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.
Interview preparation
You are advised to visit both the The General Teaching Council for Scotland and Teach in Scotland websites for full information on what is required to become a teacher in Scotland.
You are also advised that recent experience of working/assisting in a Scottish primary school classroom is normally required and is certainly desirable.
Important Information
An offer of a place on the PGDE is made on the basis of:
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 2100
Tuition fees for this course 2025/26
Scottish £1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
All other UK & Republic of Ireland £9,535 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
Channel Islands & Isle of Man £9,535 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
International (all other EU plus Non-EU) £15,500 per year of study
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Financial Aid & Funding Opportunities
A range of funding options may be available to students enrolling at University of the West of Scotland. Explore all options early — many scholarships have deadlines months before programme start.
- University Scholarships: University of the West of Scotland may offer merit-based, need-based, or programme-specific scholarships for postgraduate students. Contact the international or financial aid office for current awards.
- Government Scholarships (): National governments often fund outbound and inbound student mobility. Check your home country's government scholarship schemes (e.g., national student loan bodies, ministry of education awards).
- International Scholarships: Major funders include: Commonwealth Scholarships, Fulbright (USA programmes), Chevening (UK), Erasmus+ (Europe), DAAD (Germany), Campus France, Australia Awards, and many more.
- Employer Sponsorship: Professionals returning to study may negotiate tuition sponsorship with their employer, particularly for MBA or executive programmes.
- Graduate Assistantships / Fellowships: Some universities offer funded research or teaching assistant positions that include a stipend and partial or full tuition waiver.
- External Foundations: Rotary Foundation, Aga Khan Foundation, Ford Foundation, and many discipline-specific bodies fund postgraduate study globally.
- Payment Plans: Flexible instalment plans may allow you to spread tuition payments across the academic year.
About University of the West of Scotland
University of the West of Scotland
Paisley, United Kingdom
University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is a large, modern public university in south-western Scotland and London, UK, tracing its roots back to 1897 and taking its current name in 2007 after the...
University Profile- Language English
- Duration 9 months