Religious & Philosophical Education

Degree and UCAS code

This degree programme will qualify you to teach religious education, theology, religious, moral and philosophical studies (RMPS) or religious studies in either denominational or non-denominational secondary schools. It may also assist you if you are involved in the development of new school and college programmes in philosophical studies.

What will I study?

You will study:

• Religious and philosophical ideas – which will develop your critical and analytical skills, necessary to address the major cultural, theological and spiritual issues of our time. You will be able to take a number of optional courses in philosophy, theology and religious studies.
  
• Professional and educational studies – which will explore, in the context of Scottish education, how pupils learn and how educators teach most effectively.

How will I learn?

Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, small group tutorials and seminars. School experience is integral to the programme and provides you with the opportunity to work in the classroom, developing competence in dealing with children. During the first year the school placements are in a primary school; in subsequent years you will be involved in teaching pupils at all stages in the secondary school. Additionally, school experience will develop your ability to carry out curriculum planning, assessment and reporting.

Special feature

This programme leads to registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland.

Note

• Catholic students who complete the appropriate course in religious education will be awarded the Catholic Teacher’s Certificate in Religious Education.
  
• As part of our selection process you will be interviewed. Interviews normally begin in mid to late January and run until April.

Disclosure Scotland

If you are accepted to a teaching degree you must undertake a Criminal Conviction check prior to enrolment. It is your responsibility to pay for the check. Details will be sent to you.

Entry requirements

Typical offer

• Highers: AAB/ABBB
• A-levels: BBB

Full details of Entry requirements: Education

What are my career prospects?

As a teacher of religious and philosophical subjects, you will play a vital role in preparing young people to live in, and contribute to, a world of rapid social and economic change, where a breadth and depth of understanding of diverse cultures may be seen as essential. It is expected that there will be an increasing demand for new entrants to the teaching profession in secondary schools in Scotland and elsewhere in the coming years. The degree is also widely recognised for entry into secondary school teaching in other English-speaking countries.

Once in the profession, promotion will be determined by your professionalism, enthusiasm, continued professional development and willingness to take on more responsibility. Opportunities exist for career progression within schools and more widely in posts such as education adviser and in teacher education. You may pursue postgraduate study and professional development at certificate, diploma, masters and doctoral levels.

Find out more

For further information about the MA and how to apply please visit Information for Applicants or contact

Mrs Denise Porada / Mrs Elizabeth Brown
Departmental secretary
Tel: +44 (0)141 330 3434
Email: re@educ.gla.ac.uk

Faculty of Education ITE Admissions
tel: +44 (0)141 330 2463/3467
email: admissions@educ.gla.ac.uk