Join our flexible online mindfulness course for teachers.
Learn how to implement a safe and effective mindfulness strategy for children, to enhance learning and wellbeing.
Now that wellbeing is part of the UK and Scottish curriculum, mindfulness in schools is growing in popularity. As teachers, we need to understand the wider implications of bringing mindfulness into the classroom, and how we can do so safely.
This course takes you through fundamental mindfulness principles and theory so you can evaluate and deliver these techniques in your classroom with confidence.
We’ll help you differentiate between the apps, resources, information and misinformation to build an evidenced and ethical approach to using mindfulness with your pupils.
- You’ll cover the research base for, science behind, and impacts of a range of common practices.
- You’ll discover how to integrate mindfulness into processes, policies and pedagogy in the classroom.
- And you’ll learn to build a mindful teacher presence to enhance learning and address teacher stress.
Course options
You can choose between a credit-bearing version of this course with assessments, and a zero-credit version without assessments.
You can use the credits you earn on the credit-bearing course towards our MSc Studies in Mindfulness and Mindfulness Professional Recognition, a qualification recognised by the General Teaching Council of Scotland (GTCS).
Who is this online mindfulness course for?
This course is for all teachers interested in using mindfulness to enhance learning and wellbeing in their classrooms.
It’s ideal for those working in, or keen to work in:
- education, healthcare or social care involving children.
Why study mindfulness online with the University of Aberdeen?
Mindfulness pioneers
Join the first university in Scotland to offer postgraduate study in mindfulness.
An always-on course
Available 24/7. Study when it suits. Complete anytime within 12 months.
You’re in expert hands
We’ve been delivering online and distance learning for decades.
What you’ll study
Mindfulness in the Classroom is divided into six modules. They blend academic and experiential learning, enabling you to both understand and experience mindfulness.
The six modules you’ll study are:
- Cultivating Mindfulness
- Cultivating Heartfulness
- Mindful Teacher Presence
- Integrating Mindfulness
- Best Practice Mindfulness
- Mindful Wellbeing in the Classroom.
You’ll explore a range of mindfulness and heartfulness practices. You’ll examine their purpose, method, benefits and underpinning science. This will help you evaluate apps and organisations that provide mindfulness resources and strategies for the classroom.
You’ll develop skills and awareness of best practice to safely and effectively integrate mindfulness into your classroom, enhancing learning and wellbeing.
With your tutors’ help, you’ll also learn to apply mindfulness to your presence in the classroom, supporting the development of good relationships.
Carry out valuable research
If you choose the credit-bearing version of the course, you’ll also complete a professional enquiry report into mindfulness in the classroom. You’ll carry out either:
- a piece of work-based research, or
- an in-depth literature review of an area of mindfulness that interests you.
This will support your professional learning, and give you the opportunity to contribute useful research to this emerging field.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to...
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Describe the purpose, benefits and science behind a range of mindfulness practices.
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Evaluate the strengths and limitations of a range of mindfulness resources and apps by drawing on neurobiological research.
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Apply your understanding of best practice in mindfulness to the safe and effective implementation of mindfulness and wellbeing in your classroom.
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Apply your learning to the development of your own mindful presence and professional practice in the classroom.
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Positively impact relationships with peers and pupils and address stress through mindful presence.
How you’ll study
Online learning
Our distance-learning Mindfulness in the Classroom course is delivered part-time, 100% online. You can study with us anywhere in the world without a visa, and manage your study hours to suit you.
This course is taught at Masters level.
Your teaching
Your teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of resources at your fingertips, including:
- videos, including video lectures to stream and download
- interactive learning materials
- reading materials
- the online resources of our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library
- discussion boards with colleagues and tutors.
University staff will guide you through six course modules with recordings of lectures and guided practices. You can engage with these at your own pace.
Your tutors
You’ll learn from mindfulness experts from our School of Education. You’ll also learn from your fellow students. You’ll be studying online alongside individuals from a range of backgrounds who may be based all over the world, giving you unique insight into educational practices around the globe.
Learning resources
All essential resources are included in your tuition fee. They will be available online and you do not have to buy your own copies. We also provide optional recommended reading lists. Some of these resources are available electronically through our library, although optional purchases may be required if you wish to read the full list.
As this is an always-on course, you can study as and when it’s convenient for you.
You’re completely free to set your own study hours once you’ve enrolled. You’ll have up to 12 months to complete the course.
We expect you to spend around 150 hours on the course. As a guide, that’s around 10 – 15 hours per week over 12 weeks. But you’re free to set your own pace and choose your own hours.
You’ll only be assessed if you choose the credit-bearing ‘learning and assessment’ version of this course.
In this case, you’ll be assessed entirely online via:
- a reflective journal
- a professional enquiry report.
Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your coordinator via email, MyAberdeen and Microsoft Teams. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.
We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:
- Careers and Employability Service
- Disability support
- IT support
- Library support
- Student Support Service – help with finances, stress, wellbeing and non-academic issues
- Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available via phone or Skype
- Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
- Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.
Your course coordinator
Colette Savage
Colette has over 20 years’ experience in mindfulness, delivering mindfulness employee training and retreats to a diverse range of companies, as well as CPD for teachers.
View Colette’s profileWhere this will take you
Towards a Masters
If you choose the ‘learning and assessment’ option, you’ll earn 15 credits at Masters level (SCQF Level 11) when you complete this course successfully. You can use these credits towards further learning, including:
- Mindfulness Professional Recognition – a 30-credit course awarding professional recognition from the General Teaching Council of Scotland (GTCS)
- MSc Studies in Mindfulness – Scotland’s first Masters in mindfulness, with time spent at a Buddhist retreat on Scotland’s Holy Isle.
Both of these courses are blended (part online and part on-campus).
Careers
If you’re a teacher and complete the credit-bearing version of this course, you can use it towards professional recognition in Mindfulness with the General Teaching Council.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Your employer or professional institute may recognise this course for CPD hours.
Talk to your employer or institute to find out more.
Free career support
Access our free careers service while you study.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You do not need to provide proof of your qualifications.
But you do need to check the entry guidance above to understand the level of teaching delivered, to decide if this course is right for you.
If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check the equivalent teaching level for your country.
Visa requirements
You do not need a student visa to study online with us.
English language requirements
Teaching is delivered in English.
You do not have to provide proof of your English language skills to join this course. But we want to make sure that you can use English well enough to study successfully.
Recommended level of English
For this course, we recommend the following level of English language proficiency.
These are our Postgraduate Standard requirements, and these are minimum scores.
IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, and IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)
- 6.5 overall
- 5.5 for listening, reading and speaking
- 6.0 for writing
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- 90 overall
- 17 for listening
- 18 for reading
- 20 for speaking
- 21 for writing
- TOEFL DI code is 0818
Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall
- 162 for listening, reading and speaking
- 169 for writing
LanguageCert Academic/LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall
- 60 for listening, reading and speaking
- 65 for writing
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator (Written and Spoken) – Online / In-centre
- Overall High Pass
- 33 for listening, reading and speaking
- 38 for writing
Oxford ELLT Digital – English Language Level Test Online
- 7.0 overall
- 5.0 for listening, reading and speaking
- 6.0 for writing
PTE Academic (online test not accepted)
- 62 overall
- 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing
For full information about language requirements, see our English Language Requirements page.
You will need access to:
A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) operating on either:
- Windows 10 or later
- macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later.
Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.
Reliable internet access
We recommend:
- a wired connection
- a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.
Speakers or headphones
- We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
- A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.
Software
We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and install these programs on up to five personal devices.
If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.
See our detailed IT requirements for more information.
When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.
But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.
Your most important commitment will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.
Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your studies each week:
- Be realistic
- Create a weekly schedule as a guide
If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.
Fee payment
Your course fee needs to be paid in full before you start your course.
We accept payment via Visa Debit, Visa Credit and Mastercard.
Ways to save
You may be able to get help funding this course via:
- discounts – if any discounts are available for this course, they’ll appear in the section below
- employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors.
Find out more about funding options.
Student card
All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.
Annual fee increases
Fees for this course will rise a little at the start of each academic year, on 1 August. This increase is typically 5%.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You decide if it’s suitable for you.
The course is delivered at Masters level. At this level, you’d usually have at least:
- a 2:2 UK undergraduate degree (or equivalent), or
- relevant experience that supports this level of study.
Apply for this course
