Secondary teaching

Introduction

In Scotland, the age range of children and young people in Secondary Education is 12 to 18 years of age. Secondary education is organised into specialist subject areas with young people moving from a broad and general phase of education to a senior phase of education as they move through years secondary 1 to secondary 6.

Teachers wishing to teach in the secondary sector must be qualified in their chosen subject.

There are four ways you can qualify to become a secondary school teacher in Scotland:

  1. a four-year combined undergraduate degree
  2. a combined undergraduate degree or a concurrent undergraduate degree including studying a subject, studying education, and school experience
  3. a PGDE programme following an undergraduate degree
  4. a postgraduate or integrated Master’s programme including a teaching qualification

In Scotland initial teacher education programmes for secondary education comprise of:

  • Professional Studies
  • Subject/curriculum studies relating to the specific subject you are academically qualified to teach across all stages of the secondary age range 12 to 18
  • Teaching practice in the subject you are qualified to teach across all stages of the Secondary age range.

Further information on the courses available and the entry requirements are available from university websites and from Teach in Scotland.

We also individually assess equivalence of applicants with teaching qualifications from all across the world.

Secondary education subjects

A range of secondary education subjects are taught in Scotland’s schools including but not limited to:

  • Art and Design
  • Biology with Science
  • Business Education
  • Chemistry with Science
  • Classics
  • Computing Science
  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • English
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • History
  • Home Economics
  • Mathematics
  • Media Studies
  • Languages
  • Modern Studies
  • Music
  • Philosophy
  • Physics with Science
  • Physical Education
  • Psychology
  • Religious Education
  • Sociology
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Foreign Languages
  • Technological Education

Scotland has initial teacher programmes for gaining a teaching qualification in most but not all of the subjects listed above. Where individuals have gained qualifications outside Scotland and they meet our academic requirements, registration can be offered in all the subjects listed here and more.

All secondary teachers must hold a degree validated by a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in the United Kingdom or a degree of an equivalent standard from a HEI outside the United Kingdom.

This qualification must include degree-level study relevant to their subject, up to a minimum of 80 SCQF credit points (including 40 at SCQF Level 7 or above and 40 at SCQF Level 8 or above).

For some subjects there are specific study requirements – these subjects are highlighted below. Where these refer to “an appropriate degree” this refers to the degree requirement set out in our Memorandum on Entry Requirements to Programmes of ITE in Scotland.

More information about what registration in secondary (subject) education means for employment can be found in the 'How registration categories impact what employees can teach' article.

Applicants must have a minimum of 80 SCQF credit points from degree level study in Fine Art (or Contemporary Art) or Design. (20 credit points may come from Digital Art/Design or Photography).

Applicants must have a minimum of 80 SCQF credit points from degree level study in at least two of:  

  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Business Management  

Additionally, applicants should be able to demonstrate evidence of study-related relevant Information Technology skills

Applicants must have a minimum of 80 SCQF credit points with 40 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 8 (or above) from degree level study in at least two of:

  • Computer Systems
  • Software Development
  • Databases
  • Web Design

The other 40 credit points are required in any computing area relevant to the computing curriculum in Scottish schools.

Applicants must have a minimum of 80 SCQF credit points from degree level study in Dance or related Dance subject. Applicants should also provide evidence of their personal involvement in relevant activities through:

  • having relevant, current experience of coaching, instruction, participation or leadership in Dance
  • experience of training and performance of Dance at a high level
  • achieving national governing awards and/or national qualifications in Dance
  • knowledge of the history of dance including the study of dance in its social and historical contexts within traditional, ethnic and non-western dance cultures
  • knowledge of general stage presentation (including lighting, stagecraft, stage make-up and knowledge of the range of dance styles which may include ballet, tap, modern/jazz, contemporary, hip hop, etc.)
  • knowledge of choreographic skills and dance composition
  • knowledge of the wider health and wellbeing aspects of dance including injury prevention and nutrition.

Applicants must have a minimum of 80 SCQF credit points from degree level study in Drama, theatre or performance.

Applicants must demonstrate a range of historical, theoretical and analytical approaches, including at least 40 SCQF credit points in the practical aspects of Drama or performance such as devising, playwriting or performing. Applicants should also have some experience of collaborative practice.

Applicants must have a minimum of 80 SCQF credit points from degree level study in English. A minimum of 40 SCQF credit points must be in Literature (this could include texts translated into English) A maximum of 40 SCQF credit points can be taken from any of the following areas:

  • Media Studies
  • Film
  • Creative Writing
  • Journalism
  • English Language
  • Advertising
  • Law

Applicants must have a minimum of 80 SCQF credit points from degree level study in History or Ancient History with a maximum of 40 SCQF credit points from Archaeology.

Applicants must have a minimum of 80 SCQF credit points including 40 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 8 (or above) from degree level study in either food, nutrition or professional cookery programmes or textile technology programmes.

The other 40 credit points can come from the above or any of the other relevant areas outlined below: 

  • Family Studies: parenting; childhood studies; family lifestyles; socioeconomic influences; environmental issues.
  • Food Science: food chemistry; composition of foods; processing and manufacturing of foodstuffs; functional properties of foods; biotechnology; microbiology.
  • Health: health promotion; health education; determinants of health; lifestyles and health; environmental issues; health and food policies.
  • Professional Cookery: practical food preparation skills; food preparation techniques; safety.

All the languages taught in Scotland are valuable – there is no hierarchy of language. The entry requirements outlined here take account of the context in which languages are taught. Where possible, applicants should offer more than one language.

French, German, Italian, Mandarin and Spanish

(i) Academic Requirements

For each language taught, applicants must:

  • have a minimum of 80 SCQF credit points from degree level study in each language they want to teach. The applicant’s academic study must include an element which will allow them to contribute to the wider aspects of programmes of study in schools, such as literature, cultural studies, area studies or languages in work.
  • demonstrate that they are competent in speaking the relevant language or languages.

(ii) Residence Requirements

Applicants must have lived abroad in a country where the language/s are spoken, during which they must have fully participated in the culture of the country and immersed themselves in the target language. Applicants who have spent one of their study years abroad will be considered as meeting the residency requirement.

For the first language to be taught, the residence requirement is six months, normally in blocks of at least three months.

For the second/other language to be taught, the residence requirement is three months, normally in blocks of at least four weeks.

(iii) Native speakers of French, German, Italian, Mandarin and Spanish Native speakers may be eligible to teach their native language if:

  • they have SCQF credit points in that language which meet the requirements under (i), or
  • they have SCQF credit points outlined in (i) in a language other than their native tongue. For example, a French student with 80 SCQF credit points in German may be eligible to teach German and French.

Gaelic

Applicants must have a minimum of 80 SCQF credit points from degree level study in Gaelic or in Celtic (but they must have specialised in Scottish Gaelic). Applicants must demonstrate their capacity to both read and write in Gaelic. Applicants are required to demonstrate that they are fluent in spoken Scottish Gaelic.

Heritage languages such as Bengali, Arabic, Hindi, Polish, Punjabi and Urdu

Applicants must have completed a degree equivalent in standard to a degree from the United Kingdom and have studied their native/heritage language at SCQF level 7, or equivalent. Applicants must demonstrate to the HEI they apply to that they are fluent in writing and speaking their native/heritage language and English. Applicants must show a commitment to developing their knowledge of language-learning pedagogy.

Applicants must have a minimum of 80 SCQF credit points from degree level study in two separate subjects listed below.

  • Criminology
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • History or Economic History
  • International Relations
  • Law • Politics
  • Sociology
  • Social Policy

At least 40 SCQF credit points must be from either Politics or Sociology.

Applicants must have a minimum of 80 SCQF credit points from degree level study in Music which includes studying music over at least three years.

Applicants are also expected to:

  1. demonstrate intellectual music skills (some of which would be advanced) across the following:
    • musical repertoire and musical contexts
    • an understanding of interdisciplinary approaches (e.g. music and the relationship to other disciplines)
    • analysing, synthesising and interrogating musical materials.  
  2. Demonstrate that they are competent in practical musical skills (some of which should be advanced) across the following:
    • Instrumental performance
    • Vocal performance
    • Keyboard performance.
  3. Have experience of music technology in some format (e.g. use of microphones, experience of recording and producing).  

It would be expected that all applicants should meet the requirements of point 1. Applicants who do not meet the requirements of point 2 or 3 will have to demonstrate competence through an interview process.

Applicants are expected to have a minimum of 80 SCQF credit points from degree level study coming from subjects in the following list:

  • subjects related to physical education and involving a great deal of practical performance, such as sport, dance or outdoor pursuits
  • subjects involving analysis of the aspects of physical education – such subjects include movement analysis, choreography, sports coaching, biomechanics, sports science, exercise physiology, sports psychology, health and fitness, studies in sports or dance or outdoor education, sports development or additional support needs in movement education  

Applicants need to show that they are competent in practical skills.

Applicants should also provide evidence of their personal involvement in relevant activities through:

  • regularly taking part in appropriate physical activities
  • having experience of coaching, instruction or leadership
  • achieving national governing body awards or the equivalent
  • experience of training and performing at a high level.

Applicants must have a minimum of 80 SCQF credit points from degree-level study in two or more of the areas listed below:

  • Religious Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Theology
  • Divinity
  • Sociology of Religion
  • Anthropology of Religion
  • Psychology of Religion 

Applicants wishing specifically to teach Religious Education in Catholic schools must have a minimum of 80 SCQF credit points in:

  • Religious Studies
  • Theology
  • Divinity

This may include a maximum of 20 credit points in philosophy related to religion.

Applicants must have a minimum of 80 SCQF credit points from degree level study. A minimum of 20 credit points should come from list A and a minimum of 40 credit points should come from list B.  

  • List A - Technological subjects, such as Mechanical, Electrical or Electronic Engineering/Sciences, Mechatronics, Architecture, Construction Technology and Building Services.
  • List B - Design and Graphics-related subjects, such as Computer Aided Design, Graphic Design, Computer Aided Design Manufacture, Industrial Design and Product Design.

Applicants must demonstrate that they have the capacity to develop their practical skills.

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