At the University of Aberdeen, we’ve been helping students to become teachers for over a century.
We understand that some people start their journey to teach right after finishing school, while others decide to become teachers later in life.
That’s why we offer flexible online Access qualifications in Maths and English, so you can earn the qualifications you need to become a teacher at any stage in life.
How can Access qualifications help you to become a teacher?
Our Access qualifications help you earn credits at the SCQF levels needed to meet entry requirements for our initial teacher education (ITE) programmes.
ITE is the first stage of professional training for anyone who wants to become a qualified teacher.
ITE programmes that we offer at the University of Aberdeen are:
- Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) Primary Education
- PGDE Secondary Education
- MA Primary Education
- MA Secondary Education with STEM subjects
PGDE programmes are at postgraduate level and MA programmes are at undergraduate level.
Which Access courses do you need for ITE programme entry?
You need the following qualifications in English and mathematics for entry to all of our ITE programmes:
- Grade B or above in English at SCFQ Level 6 (Higher level)
- Grade C or above in mathematics at SCQF Level 5 (National 5 level)
Access Course in English – SCQF 6
Earn the Higher-equivalent English qualification you need to get into teacher training with this flexible online course.
Access Course in Maths – SCQF 5
Earn the National 5-equivalent maths qualifications you need to get into teacher training with this flexible online course.
What are Access qualifications?
Our Access qualifications are not National 5s or Highers. They are equivalent to National 5 or Higher qualifications.
Nationals and Highers are awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). Our Access qualifications are awarded by the University of Aberdeen.
Access qualifications are designed:
- in accordance with the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
- by educationalists experienced in working at this academic level
- to develop your skills and support your access to college and university.
Which universities accept our Access qualifications?
Our Access qualifications, with successful completion of assessments, are accepted for entry at the University of Aberdeen and a range of other Scottish universities.
If you’re applying to study anywhere other than the University of Aberdeen, contact the respective university to confirm the acceptability of our Access courses and the grades required.
How Malcolm used our Access courses to become a teacher
Meet Malcolm. An English graduate, Malcolm lacked the maths grades he needed to get into teacher training. Find out how our online Access maths course helped him in his journey to become a teacher.
Become a teacher with the University of Aberdeen
Our Access qualifications are accepted for entry to our PGDE ITE programmes, our MA Primary Education, as well as our new MA Secondary Education with STEM subjects programme.
Find out more about entry requirements, important dates, and fees for these teacher training programmes: