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Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Scotland)
PGDE Primary (Graduates only)
University of the West of Scotland
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the PGDE Primary (Graduates only) course at University of the West of Scotland.
We're still busy gathering entry requirements for PGDE Primary (Graduates only) at University of the West of Scotland. Look out for more info soon.
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: 222V
Here's what University of the West of Scotland says about its PGDE Primary (Graduates only) course.
OVERVIEW
This programme provides the formal teaching qualification for provisional registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) – giving you the skills, knowledge and experience to build a career as a primary school teacher.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
You will cover a wide range of subjects that feature in the primary school curriculum including English/Literacy, Health and Wellbeing, and Mathematics/Numeracy. The programme enables you to develop core skills in planning, teaching, assessment and evaluation strategies, classroom organisation, building relationships in the classroom, and contemporary issues in Scottish education.
PROGRAMME DETAILS
• You will gain practical experience through 18 weeks of school experience placements that occur 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 – a requirement for entry into the guaranteed one-year Teacher Induction Scheme.
CAREERS 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.
COURSE CONTENT For the Professional Graduate Diploma Education (PGDE), you will study the following modules: • PGDE (Primary) Curriculum (core, 40 credits) • PGDE (Primary) School Experience (core, 40 credits) Plus: • PGDE School & Professional Studies (L10) (optional, 40 credits) Or: • PGDE School & Professional Studies (L11) (optional, 40 credits)
ASSESSMENT METHOD
The PGDE Primary programme is an intense course, comprising 18 weeks of university teaching and 18 weeks of placement in primary schools. The main pedagogy is interactive lectures and workshops. Collaborative tasks and group learning are integral to the programme.
ASSESSMENT
The module Primary Curriculum is assessed by both examination and assignment. The module School Experience is assessed based on the GTCS Standards for Provisional Registration. The module School and Professional Studies is assessed by assignment.
Source: University of the West of Scotland
Course details
There are a few options in how you might study PGDE Primary (Graduates only) at University of the West of Scotland.
Check the
2 course options available.
Qualification
Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Scotland)
Department
Education and Social Sciences
Location
Ayr Campus | Ayr
Duration
1 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Primary teaching
Start date
August 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
University of the West of Scotland reviews
Showing 29 reviews
1st year student
I haven't been to the union yet but from what I've seen it seems good but we still need more events and activities for Ayr campus.
2 years ago
1st year student
There are some good opportunities, but it would be nice if we had more activities to do available to us.
2 years ago
1st year student
The financial support is helpful enough for students considering the fees are all paid for and there is a possibility for extra money which depends on your household income.
2 years ago
1st year student
The support is good enough we usually get things resolved quite quickly.
2 years ago
1st year student
Most of the computers work well. The library is easy to access. The classes have enough space. The equipment we need is available to us most of the time.
2 years ago
1st year student
We have enough time to complete Assessment and tasks. A lot of group work which makes it easier to get things done rather than working alone. The lecturers are nice and approachable. The course is interesting and we learn a lot.
2 years ago
National Student Survey (NSS) scores
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
Here you can see ratings from University of the West of Scotland students who took the PGDE Primary (Graduates only) course - or another course in the same subject area.
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
93%
high
Teaching on my course
93%
high
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
98%
high
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
98%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
89%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
89%
high
Learning opportunities
91%
med
Learning opportunities
91%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
92%
med
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
97%
high
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
96%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
92%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
77%
low
Assessment and feedback
87%
med
Assessment and feedback
87%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
87%
high
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
86%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
78%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
95%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
89%
high
Academic support
97%
high
Academic support
97%
high
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
98%
high
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
96%
med
Organisation and management
88%
high
Organisation and management
88%
high
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
96%
high
How well organised is your course?
80%
med
Learning resources
89%
med
Learning resources
89%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
86%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
90%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
92%
med
Student voice
87%
high
Student voice
87%
high
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
79%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
95%
high
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
87%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
55%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.
89%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
60%
low
Student information
See who's studying at University of the West of Scotland. These students are taking PGDE Primary (Graduates only) or another course from the same subject area.
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
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Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
Facts and figures about University of the West of Scotland graduates who took PGDE Primary (Graduates only) - or another course in the same subject area.
Graduate statistics
75%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
80%
In work, study or other activity
80%
Say it fits with future plans
65%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
65%
Teaching Professionals
10%
Sales occupations
5%
Animal care and control services
5%
Business and public service associate professionals
Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from University of the West of Scotland graduates who took PGDE Primary (Graduates only) - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£28.8k
First year after graduation
£33.9k
Third year after graduation
£39.8k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to PGDE Primary (Graduates only).
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
Discussions
Discussions
Students are talking about University of the West of Scotland on The Student Room.
University of the West of Scotland open days
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