Awarded byScottish Qualifications AuthorityProfessional Global Diploma in Education (PGDE)
An SQA-accredited Professional Global Diploma in Education — classroom achievement, inclusive curriculum design, and the teacher as leader and professional.
Program Overview
This qualification aims to provide learners with knowledge and skills that will enable them to be effective in a senior level role within a school or equivalent learning environment.
There are four intakes for the SQA PGDE qualification in a year — January, April, July & October. The program is delivered online.
Who is it for?
- Practising teachers formalising their expertise
- Educators building toward a Master's
- Career changers entering the classroom
- International school staff
What each module covers
Expand any module to read its description and intended learning outcomes.
Module Description
The focus of this module is helping K-12 practitioners advance their expertise in the field of teaching by expanding their knowledge and skills in three major areas:
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module, the students should be able to:
- LO1Discuss research and theory on the process of learning in education.
- LO2Apply effective learning practices in the classroom.
- LO3Analyze findings from neuroscience as they relate to learning.
Module Description
In this module, practitioners will learn about the challenges of students who have disabilities and those who have significant difficulty with learning but do not qualify for special education services. Practitioners will learn how to adapt curriculum, instruction and assessment to maximize learning for students of determination
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module, the students should be able to:
- LO1Critically evaluate the implications of inclusion and special needs legislation at your school.
- LO2Assess ways to improve inclusive teaching processes.
- LO3Evaluate the role of an educational practitioner in helping students develop social skills and form positive peer relationships.
- LO4Assess how the design of a curriculum for students with special needs has evolved.
Module Description
In this module, practitioners are introduced to the teacher leadership concept and the value it holds in the educational field. In the wake of current educational challenges practitioners will learn the critical importance of expanding their knowledge of educational research and theory to guide leadership decisions. To effect a positive change in their learning community and cultivate the attributes and attitudes of a leader teacher, practitioners will also engage in personal assessment and analysis.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module, the students should be able to:
- LO1Discuss leadership theories as they apply to educational settings.
- LO2Analyze your skill-set against the research on teacher leadership.
- LO3Develop a plan for continuous acquisition and improvement of your teacher leadership skills.
- LO4Analyze aspects of an educational institution involved in a change initiative.
Module Description
In this module, practitioners learn what it means to be a professional in today’s diverse and rapidly changing educational landscape. They examine their values, beliefs, vision, mission and their role in the broader context of the teaching profession. They learn the importance of collaboration in the professional learning community and the need to advocate for students, in the field of education. Practitioners also learn on how professional stance influences student learning.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module, the students should be able to:
- LO1Evaluate the qualities that make an expert teacher.
- LO2Evaluate your own teaching performance to identify areas of professional development.
- LO3Analyze the effectiveness of professional partnerships and networks and their impact on student learning.
- LO4Design an educational weblog resource for teachers.
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About Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), UK
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), UK
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is an international leader in education and qualifications development. It is the executive public body of the Scottish government responsible for accrediting educational awards and is accredited by the UK government to offer educational qualifications. SQA has over 100 years of experience in developing qualifications and qualifications systems, and over 20 years of experience working internationally in partnership with schools, colleges, universities, employers, training organizations, industry professionals, professional bodies, and governments. Through these partnerships, SQA continuously enhances its skills and expertise through mutual and shared learning and in turn shares its knowledge, technical expertise and skills, and other educational pursuits for the global good. SQA helps individuals realize their potential and achieve their ambitions by providing a wide range of high-quality, internationally recognized qualifications, and associated services. Based in Glasgow, SQA is also recognized by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) in England, UK. SQA is also one of the four partners of The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SQCF) which is the national credit transfer system for all levels of qualifications in Scotland, UK.
Professional Global Diploma in Education (PGDE)
Issued and conferred by Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), UK on successful completion. Specimen shown for illustration — names and dates appear on the issued certificate.
How to qualify
Eligibility
What you'll need to apply- Age 20+ and Gender is no bar. Be currently teaching and have access to a classroom (if not we will provide placement support).
- Be committed to developing their teaching and learning skills through reflective practice in the field of education.
- Be graduates of an approved university or other institution of higher education.
- Applicants for whom English is not the medium of instruction of their first degree must have achieved a British Council IELTS average final score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in any element no more than two years prior to admission.
- Applicants with lesser qualifications may be considered for ‘exceptional entry’. If you do not meet these criteria you may contact us about a non-standard entry
How you'll learn
A flexible, mentor-led online experience — built so busy educators can upskill without a career break.
- Live & interactive lectures by expert faculty
- Recorded sessions for offline viewing
- World-class curriculum by eminent faculty
- Practical learning through seminars & workshops
- Assignments for module assessments
- Easy-to-use LMS, accessible anywhere
- Online library to further enhance your knowledge
- Real-world skills for a well-rounded experience
Where this qualification takes you
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A twelve-month, fully online diploma that aims to give learners the knowledge and skills to be effective in a senior-level role within a school or similar learning environment. It is worth 84 credits across four modules, and the award is issued by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), UK.
Twelve months, delivered online. The page states four intakes a year for this diploma: January, April, July and October. The programme totals 84 credits across four modules of 21 credits each. An advisor can confirm the next intake and talk you through the application.
Applicants should be aged 20 or over, currently teaching with access to a classroom, and graduates of a university or other higher education institution. Where English was not the medium of instruction of the first degree, an IELTS average of 6.5 with no element below 6.0, taken within the past two years, is required.
The page asks applicants to be currently teaching and to have access to a classroom, and says placement support is provided if you do not. It also asks for a commitment to developing your teaching and learning through reflective practice. Applicants with lesser qualifications may be considered for exceptional entry.
Four modules of 21 credits each: Increasing Learning and Achievement in Classrooms; Designing Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment for students with special education needs; Teacher as a Leader; and Teacher as a Professional. They cover learning research and neuroscience, inclusive design, teacher leadership and professional practice, totalling 84 credits.
The programme is delivered online and is mentor-led: live interactive lectures with faculty, recorded sessions for offline viewing, seminars and workshops, assignments for module assessment, an easy-to-use learning platform and an online library. It is built so practising teachers can study without a career break.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), UK. The award is the Professional Global Diploma in Education (PGDE), issued and conferred by SQA on successful completion of the programme. Speak to an advisor about how the diploma fits your own plans.