Postgraduate taught 

Religious Education by Distance Learning (CREDL) Cert: Online distance learning

CATHOLIC TEACHER’S CERTIFICATE/AWARD IN RELIGIOUS UNDERSTANDING

This online programme has been specifically designed to provide students with the requisite understanding of the main tenets of Catholic Christian theology. Students will also learn about the Catholic vision of education and the methodology appropriate to Catholic religious education in primary and secondary schools. Please note, while open to all, this programme has been designed for Catholic teachers wishing to teach Religious Education in Catholic schools. Successful completion of the programme by Catholic teachers will result in the award of the Catholic Teacher’s Certificate (CREDL). An Award in Religious Understanding (CREDL) is presented to anyone else completing the programme. The Catholic Teacher’s Certificate (CREDL) is recognised by the Bishops of Scotland as a preliminary qualification in Catholic religious education*.

  • Online
  • Cert: 12 months part‑time

Why this programme

  • The Certificate in Religious Education by Distance Learning (along with the necessary church approval) will allow you to teach in Catholic schools.
  • It will provide you with the requisite understanding of the main tenets of Catholic Christian theology, the Catholic vision of education and the methodology appropriate to Catholic religious education.
  • This programme is also recommended if you are a qualified teacher and want to re-visit your understanding of these issues as part of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
  • It can be completed concurrently with a BEd or PGDE programme and the MA Primary Education in Dumfries, (or subsequently on completion of any of these programmes).
  • CREDL is the University of Glasgow route for qualified teachers or students studying an ITE programme at other universities. 

Programme structure

CREDL is the University of Glasgow route for qualified teachers or students studying an ITE programme at other universities. 

Core courses

For each course you will produce a portfolio, a 1,500-word essay.

Programme Outcomes

  • Gain knowledge of the scriptures, doctrines, morals and practices of the Catholic faith
  • Understand the roles of scripture, language, liturgy, signs and symbols in the traditions and insights of Catholic education
  • Appreciate the stages of personal religious and moral development and the appropriate educational responses to these
  • Explore approaches to learning and teaching in religious education, relating methods and practices to subject content, curriculum development and faith formation
  • Interpret and contextualise a range of biblical, doctrinal and religious principles and beliefs, and develop and implement appropriate educational experiences based upon these
  • Gain positive, varied and motivating contexts for learning and personal growth in religious education, based upon confidence in using the syllabus, resources and strategies of the subject area
  • Continual critical enquiry and personal development in values and religious education
  • Develop sensitivity to culture, authority, belonging and tradition in religion
  • Research into the relationship of faith to life, to religious practice, to tolerance and to respect for difference
  • Develop reflective professional practice in the broad interpersonal, spiritual and philosophical dimensions of education

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2025-26

Cert

UK part-time only fees - £455 per 30 Credits

Additional fees

  • Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
  • Registration/exam only fee: £170

The Scottish Government funding has now been extended to include this route to gaining the Catholic Teaching Certificate. There will be no charge for anyone applying for this course if they currently hold a teaching post in Scotland, or is enrolled on an ITE programme at a Scottish University.

Entry requirements

You must hold a teaching qualification or be a student on a programme of initial teacher education.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

  • 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
  • IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

  • 90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

  • 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) 

  • 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

  • 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Password Skills Plus

  • 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Trinity College Tests

  • Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

  • Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

  • Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
  • Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

  • direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
  • essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
  • flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

  • Heriot Watt
  • Kingston Upon Thames
  • Middlesex University
  • Manchester University
  • Reading University
  • Edinburgh University
  • ST Andrews University
  • UCL
  • Durham.

 

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

How to apply

Additional documentation

Application deadlines

  • to be confirmed
Apply now

*Any teacher wishing to be appointed to teach in a Catholic denominational school in Scotland must seek the approval of Church authorities by demonstrating how his/her personal “religious belief and character” enables him/her to undertake the duties of the particular teaching post within the context of a Catholic school, with its particular mission, values and ethos. For those posts which include responsibility for the teaching of Religious Education, teachers must provide evidence of having obtained an appropriate teaching qualification in Catholic Religious Education. The award of a Catholic Teachers Certificate to mark the successful completion of this course will be accepted in all Dioceses as fulfilling the requirements for obtaining “an appropriate teaching qualification in Catholic Religious Education”. However, course applicants should note that this does not negate the requirement to obtain Approval of their religious belief and character prior to appointment.

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