Primary Education MA (Hons)
University of Aberdeen
Key Course Facts
Course Description
The MA Education (Hons) degree in Primary teaching at Aberdeen produces creative, confident, motivated and reflective primary teachers. You will benefit from opportunities to engage with placement learning from year one whilst on-campus learning develops your understanding of theory and research. Your academic studies will be supported by exceptional staff within the School and the wider University so that, with experience in school each year, you can become equipped to inspire and guide young minds in the 21st century.
The School of Education has a long and distinguished record in the education of teachers with a culturally stimulating creative environment within the School, the University and across our wide networks. Our MA Primary Education programme is accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), so on graduation you can apply for provisional registration as a primary teacher. You will be embarking on both an academic degree and a professional qualification from the start and consequently, part of the application process will be an opportunity to attend an interview. There are also many exciting professional learning and development opportunities with us beyond graduation.
Teaching is an exciting and demanding job that requires a range of personal and professional qualities. You will gain an in-depth understanding of what motivates younger students. You will explore teaching methods and issues not only within the core curriculum areas of literacy, numeracy and health and well-being but in terms of contemporary and global issues such as inclusion, social justice, diversity, sustainability and creativity.
Our highly qualified, experienced staff bring a wide range of expertise in learning and teaching. Many are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for research and development work in their particular specialist fields and you will benefit from the partnerships built over many years with communities, education authorities and other professionals.
Graduates wishing to apply for primary teaching training, should 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 (GTCS).
Entry Requirements / Admissions
Qualification requirements
Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)
31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.
HNC in Care and Administrative Practice or Applied Science with B required in graded unit for entry to Year 1 Sufficient science and discursive subjects and a strong academic profile to be competitive. English and Maths at least at National 5 Grade B.
Scottish Higher qualifications are considered on an individual basis
Creative and Digital Media, plus 1 Higher such as English, History or Psychology at Grade C or above
English Minimum • SCE Higher grade award in English* at Grade B or above; or • A Level English, Grade C or above; or • GCSE English Language AND English Literature, at Level 6 (previously Grade B) or above IN BOTH; or • O Level English Language AND English Literature, Grade B or above or pass IN BOTH; or • International Baccalaureate English at HL Grade 5; or • Irish Leaving Certificate English at Higher Grade 3 or above; or • National Course award (Higher Still) in English and Communication at Grade B or above; or • National Units – Communication (NC) at Higher level and Literature 1 at Higher level **; or • University of Aberdeen Online English (see below) or • English of an equivalent academic standard from outside the UK.
*Higher ESOL acceptable for entry to PGDE Secondary only, NOT PGDE Primary or undergraduate Primary. ** Previously known as National Certificate Modules Communication 4 & Literature 1
Mathematics Minimum • National 5 Mathematics at Grade C or above; or • National 5 Applications of Mathematics (previously known as Lifeskills Maths) at Grade C or above; or • Core Maths 4 Pass; or • GCSE Mathematics at Level 4, or Grade C or above or Pass; or • O Level Mathematics at Grade C or above or Pass; or • International Baccalaureate Maths at SL Grade 4; or • Irish Leaving Certificate Mathematics at Ordinary Grade 4; or • National Course Award Intermediate Level 2 Mathematics at Grade C or above; or • SCE Standard grade (credit level) award in Mathematics at Grade 2 or above; or • SCE Ordinary grade award in Mathematics at Grade C or above or Pass; or • Open University Course – MU123 Discovering Mathematics#, Pass; or • University of Aberdeen Online Maths (see below) or • Mathematics of an equivalent academic standard from outside the UK.
Please note that with regard to OU MU123 – the course generally starts in January each year with exam results issued in the December of the same year.
The following are not accepted as a Mathematics qualification at the University of Aberdeen: Standard Grade 3 or below, GCSE Grade D or below, CSE Grade 1, O Level Grade 3.
The University will consult UK ENIC (The UK National Information Centre for global qualifications and skills), to determine whether or not qualifications achieved outside the UK meet the entry requirements detailed above.
University of Aberdeen Online English and Mathematics The University of Aberdeen has launched online access courses, in English and in Mathematics. English is at SCQF Level 6 - the equivalent to Higher English and there are three Maths courses - SCQF Level 5, Level 6 and Level 7. All are accepted by the University of Aberdeen for entry to teacher training. For MA Primary we would require Aberdeen Online Access English (SCQF6) at Grade B3 or above and Aberdeen Online Access Maths (SCQF5) at Grade C3 or above. Full information on the Online provision, including costs, can be found at www.abdn.ac.uk/study/online/access-courses.php.
English language requirements
| test | Grade |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 78 |
| PTE Academic | 59 |
| Trinity ISE | |
| Institution's Own Test | |
| Cambridge English Advanced | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | |
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 78 |
| PTE Academic | 59 |
| Trinity ISE | |
| Institution's Own Test | |
| Cambridge English Advanced | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency |
Costs
Tuition Fees Primary Education MA (Hons)
| Ireland | £9250 | year 1 |
|---|---|---|
| EU | £21900 | year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820 | year 1 |
| England UK | £9250 | year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £21900 | year 1 |
| International | £21900 | year 1 |
| EU | £20800 | year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | year 1 |
| International | £20800 | year 1 |
Additional fee information
EU/International Applicants: When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country, and arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs.
Average student cost of living in the UK
| Rent | £518 |
| Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) | £50 |
| Supermarket shopping | £81 |
| Clothing | £35 |
| Eating out | £33 |
| Alcohol | £27 |
| Takeaways / food deliveries | £30 |
| Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) | £24 |
| Holidays and weekend trips | £78 |
| Transport within city | £17 |
| Self-care / sports | £20 |
| Stationary / books | £13 |
| Mobile phone / internet | £13 |
| Cable TV / streaming | £7 |
| Insurance | £51 |
| Other | £95 |
| Average student cost of living | £1092 |
London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.
How to apply
Application deadline:
August 1, 2025
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Possible Entry Points:
- year 1 (Default entry point)
UCAS application code:
X120
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About University of Aberdeen
List of 511 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Aberdeen - Course Catalogue
Where is this programme taught
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Primary Education with Teaching Qualification (Dumfries) MA (Hons) | University of Glasgow | - | - | - | - | - | - | Glasgow |
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FAQ about Primary Education MA (Hons) University of Aberdeen
- Tuition fees for this programme are 9250 per year for UK students. In addition to the tuition fees you should also take into consideration the average monthly cost of living for students in the UK.
- Primary Education MA (Hons) is taught on campus and cannot be taken online at University of Aberdeen.