About Professional Graduate Diploma In Education (biology) in Edinburgh Napier University

If you want to make a career teaching Biology and science in secondary schools, this course is for you. Now is your opportunity to inspire young people with your enthusiasm and love of the subject.

This new course is designed to blend knowledge, research and the experiences of successful teachers. This approach will help you grow your motivation, confidence and creativity to help you succeed in the classroom.

We will also explore different teaching approaches and methodologies including interdisciplinary learning classroom research, and using technology for assessment and reflection. As a result, you will work not just with university tutors, but also the wider educational community and experts who will give you holistic advice and support on many issues affecting young people and school communities.

Course details

This is a one-year, full-time course, split into three trimesters.

Starting in August, you will spend a total of 18 weeks in University and 18 weeks in secondary school placements over the duration of your course.

Modules:

• Learning & Teaching 1
• Understanding Learning & Teaching
• Learning & Teaching 2
• Professional Enquiry

These four modules will help develop your skills as a dynamic and effective teacher. All modules are SCQF Level 11.

Learning & Teaching 1&2

These modules are related to knowledge of the curriculum and school placements. You will explore effective methodologies, curriculum design, and keep up-to-date with current initiatives from the Scottish Government’s “A Curriculum for Excellence” and “The Attainment Challenge” policies.

Understanding Learning & Teaching

This module will allow you to explore the theory and policy underpinning our educational system. We will explore keys themes such as behaviour management, additional support needs and more, both in theory and practice. Visiting experts will offer professional advice on complex issues.

Professional Enquiry

This module will prepare you to undertake an action research project. The project will be combined with an interdisciplinary project in your later placement, which will give invaluable insights into the complexities of making changes to practice and equip you with research methods.

The entry requirements for this course are a degree from a UK Higher Education Institution, or degree of an equivalent standard from an institution outside the UK. The degree should be in the subject to be taught and contain at least two graduating courses (80 credits) in the relevant subject. A minimum of 40 credits should be from Year 2 of study.

Ordinary Degrees are also acceptable.

We also require SQA Higher English at Grade C or equivalent as well SQA National 5 Mathematics or SQA National 5 Applications of Mathematics at grade C or equivalent.

SUBJECT-SPECIFIC GUIDANCE

Biology

80 credits across two modules are acceptable. These 80 credits should come from subjects such as Animal Biology, Biochemistry, Human Biology or Bio-molecular Sciences.

The following degrees are NOT acceptable: Nursing, Sports Science, Physiotherapy, Veterinary, Medicine, Nutrition, and Physiology when combined with Sports Science.

IELTS (Academic)

6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5

TOEFL Internet Based Test

80 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

Pearson’s Test of Academic English

56 overall with a minimum of 51 in each component

Edinburgh Napier University Highlights

Edinburgh Napier University Average Tuition Fees And Other Expenses

The table below shows the estimated cost of living in UK while attending the institute. The cost is presented annually and may vary according to the needs of individuals.

Edinburgh Napier University Application process

Application fee:

• Undergraduate: 13 GBP to 24 GBP
• Graduate: Not available

Supporting documents:

• Academic transcripts and certificates
• References
• English proficiency proof
• Personal statement
• CV or resume
• Interview or portfolio (if required)
• Copy of passport/visa
• Copy of CAS (if applicable)

Academic requirements:

• Undergraduate: Overall of 60% in Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) or higher in the Intermediate (10+2) (XII Standard) or the international United Kingdom equivalent.
• Graduate: Bachelor degree or its equivalent

English Proficiency Test Scores 

For taught undergraduate and graduate programs, any one of the following test scores are required:

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, other tests that are accepted by the university include TOEFL ‘At Home’ Test (same scores as of TOEFL iBT), IELTS Indicator (same scores as of TOEFL iBT), online Edinburgh Napier English Language Courses, Duolingo, and IELTS Academic tests taken more than two years but less than four years will be considered with the use of English language in work or education during that period playing a big role.

Duolingo test and its IELTS equivalent is shown below