PGCE (Top-Up) Primary/Early Years/Secondary

The PGCE Top-up course enables you to achieve the academic award of Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) if you have already successfully gained QTS through the Graduate Teacher Programme, School Direct or similar. This PGCE is accredited by the General Teaching Council Scotland which means on successful completion you will have met the requirement to be eligible to apply for registration as a teacher in Scotland.

If you are interested in doing this, information about the rest of the requirements for registration can be found on the GTCS website. In addition, QTS holders in the UK and internationally will benefit from this one year programme, designed to meet the needs of practicing teachers and increase your employability around the world.

Dr Helen Caldwell talks about the programme. For more information you can email Dr Helen Caldwell.

To apply for October 2023:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Early Years) Top Up
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) Top Up
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Secondary) Top Up

• Flexible schedule to fit around work schedules.
• Course is accredited by the General Teaching Council Scotland.
• Achieve PGCE status if you have already completed the required credits.

We accept the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university,
• Successful completion of a recognised pre-Master’s programme.

Please contact us or check the Course information pages for the specific grades or points you will need or if you have a qualification not listed above.

Most PGCE top-up students will already be professional teachers, however this qualification will allow you to teach in other countries, subject to their own regulations, and opens up opportunities for career progression such as leadership and management.

We would encourage you to check visa requirements if you are intending to use the course to enable you to teach in a different country.

You can apply by clicking on the ‘apply now’ button on each course page of the website. If more than one intake or placement option is available, make sure you select the option you want.

Please note that the system does not check your application for completeness or accuracy, which could mean it takes longer to receive a decision than if you receive advice from a local representative.