Introduction
Spark a passion for STEM in the next generation of learners to help them discover a world of possibilities and develop essential skills to unlock their future careers. Our programme offers a flexible pathway to transition from college to university and build solid grounding in your specialist subject to become a secondary teacher in biology.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MA
- Duration
- 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
We aim to enhance your knowledge and skills to face the challenges of 21st-century teaching to inspire young students to engage in STEM education, using a variety of teaching approaches and practical applications. Our degree offers a flexible route for HND graduates in biology to transition from college to complete our MA (Hons) in Secondary Education, allowing you to earn a qualification teaching STEM within secondary schools.
In the first year (Year 3) of university learning, you will undertake 60 credits in Education alongside 60 credits in biology courses that would build on your prior learning and give you a strong grounding to take your knowledge into schools in the final year of the MA programme. The education courses studied in Year 3 give firm foundations about policy, and STEM education that can be built on in Year 4. You can tailor your educational journey to your interests and exit at the end of Year 3 if desired.
Regulations are in place so that progression into Year 4 and teacher education is through satisfactory interview checks on relevant entry criteria (credits, English and Maths etc.) set out by the memorandum of entry. Year 4 follows the accredited PGDE Secondary programme which includes one Education course (60 credits) and one placement-based 60-credit course (18 weeks total in two different schools) teaching biology in secondary schools.
After completing the MA (Honours) Secondary Education with Biology, you will be provisionally registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and able to move into your probationary year teaching your specialism in secondary schools across Scotland.
For students entering in September 2025, the programme will follow the following variant pattern. Year 3 - BA Secondary Education and Biology and Year 4 - PGDE Biology with Science. The PGDE is fully accredited by the GTCS.
What You'll Study
- Year 1
-
Compulsory Courses
You will study 120 credits in Year 3 and Year 4 of the programme.
- Semester 1: STEM and Computing Science in Society and Education (30 credits) and relevant subject courses from Science (30 credits)
- Semester 2: Conceptual Learning in STEM and Computing Science (30 credits) and relevant subject courses from Science (30 credits)
- Year 2
-
Compulsory Courses
- PGDE Secondary Education with professional practice courses (120 credits)
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Lectures
- Professional Placements
- Workshops
Assessment Methods
You are assessed in the following ways:
- Written assessments including essays and reflective discussions.
- Presentations demonstrating subject knowledge and using evidence from professional practice
- Professional practice assessments in secondary schools.
Why Study Secondary Education (Honours) with Biology?
- You can opt into the GTCS induction scheme to undertake a probationary year teaching your specialism in secondary schools across Scotland.
- Gain 18 weeks of experience teaching in secondary schools to transform your practice in the classroom.
- Encounter and explore diverse perspectives to teaching among peers.
- Develop your subject knowledge and engage with theory to support your practice.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.
View the Aberdeen Global ScholarshipEntry Requirements
You require Higher English (or equivalent) or National 5 Mathematics (or equivalent) with a pass at Grade C or above by the end of Year 3. If you do not have all the relevant English and Maths qualifications to get into university, you can study our Access courses to get the grades you require. The courses are delivered online, 24/7, so you can start anytime and study at your pace to access Higher Education.
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
General Entry Requirements
- 2024 Entry
-
SQA:
Higher English and N5 Mathematics or Applications of Mathematics required as part of the entry requirements. See detailed entry requirements for more information.
Standard: ABBB from S4 and S5. Those seeking to qualify over S5 and S6 will be expected to exceed this minimum.
Adjusted: BBBC by the end of S6 those who meet one or more Widening Access criteria.
- HNC/HND: Qualifications such as an HNC or HND (eg Education and Childcare) will be accepted as one subject alongside 3 additional subjects at Higher. You must still meet the English and Maths requirements.
- Foundation Apprenticeship: this will count as one SCQF Level 6 (Higher) subject at grade A. You must still meet the English and Maths requirements.
NOTE: We require a minimum of 4 separate SCQF Level 6 subjects.
A Levels:
A Levels: BBB English and Mathematics as below.
International Baccalaureate:
Minimum of 32 points including at least 5, 5, 5 at HL. SL in Maths/Maths Studies at 4 or above.
HL in English at 5 or above.Irish Leaving Certificate:
Four subjects at Higher, with 1 at H2 and 3 at H3. O4 in Maths minimum required. H3 in English minimum required. English and Mathematics as below.
English and Mathematics Entry Requirements
All applicants are required to meet the English and Mathematics entry requirements for our MA Primary Education degree, in addition to those mentioned above. These can be found in our detailed entry requirements..
UNIVERSITY GRADUATES:
Graduates wishing to apply for primary teaching training must apply for the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE). PGDE Courses in both primary and secondary education are available and are professionally accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GCTS). More information on the PGDE can be found here.
- HNC/HND: Qualifications such as an HNC or HND (eg Education and Childcare) will be accepted as one subject alongside 3 additional subjects at Higher. You must still meet the English and Maths requirements.
- 2025 Entry
-
SQA:
Higher English and N5 Mathematics or Applications of Mathematics required as part of the entry requirements. See detailed entry requirements for more information.
Standard: BBBB from S4 and S5. Those seeking to qualify over S5 and S6 will be expected to exceed this minimum.
Adjusted: BBBC by the end of S6 those who meet one or more Widening Access criteria.
- HNC/HND: Qualifications such as an HNC or HND (eg Education and Childcare) will be accepted as one subject alongside 3 additional subjects at Higher. You must still meet the English and Maths requirements.
- Foundation Apprenticeship: this will count as one SCQF Level 6 (Higher) subject at grade A. You must still meet the English and Maths requirements.
NOTE: We require a minimum of 4 separate SCQF Level 6 subjects.
A Levels:
A Levels: BBC English and Mathematics as below.
International Baccalaureate:
Minimum of 32 points including at least 5, 5, 5 at HL. SL in Maths/Maths Studies at 4 or above.
HL in English at 5 or above.IRISH LEAVING CERTIFICATE/ARDTEISTIMEIREACHT
Four subjects at Higher, with one at H2 and three at H3. Must have English at H3 minimum and Maths at O4 minimum.
English and Mathematics Entry Requirements
All students are required to fulfil the English and Mathematics entry requirements for entry to our MA Primary Education degree, in addition to those mentioned above. These can be accessed here.
UNIVERSITY GRADUATES:
Graduates wishing to apply for primary teaching training must apply for the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE). PGDE Courses in both primary and secondary education are available and are professionally accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GCTS). More information on the PGDE can be found here.
- HNC/HND: Qualifications such as an HNC or HND (eg Education and Childcare) will be accepted as one subject alongside 3 additional subjects at Higher. You must still meet the English and Maths requirements.
The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Education degrees, see our detailed entry requirements section.
English Language Requirements
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Fitness to Practice Guidelines
Students undertaking Education, Medicine or Dentistry programmes must comply with the University's fitness to practise guidelines.
Fees and Funding
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| EU / International students | £20,800 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | |
| Home Students | £1,820 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | |
| RUK | £9,535 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year |
Additional Fees
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships and Funding
UK Scholarship
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme. More about this funding opportunity.Funding Database
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
Careers
Once you graduate, you will gain provisional registration to enter the GTCS induction scheme* for a one-year probationary teaching your specialism in a secondary school across Scotland. Once you have completed your probationary year, you will meet the standard for full registration as a secondary teacher.
*Please note: International Fees students are not entitled to an Induction Year Post and will not be permitted to join the Teacher Induction Scheme after graduating.
The programme also provides ideal preparation for postgraduate study in education and STEM subjects.
Our Experts
- Head of Department
- Dr John Mynott, The University of Aberdeen
- Other Expert
- Mr Alan Grieve, The University of Aberdeen
- Programme Coordinator
- Miss Leigh Bjorkvoll, The University of Aberdeen
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX