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. 
• Successful completion of the programme by Catholic teachers will result in the award of the Catholic Teacher’s Certificate (CREDL). 
• While open to all, this programme has been designed for Catholic teachers wishing to teach Religious Education in Catholic schools. An Award in Religious Understanding (CREDL) is presented to anyone else completing the programme.

Career prospects

The Catholic Teacher’s Certificate (CREDL) is recognised by the Bishops of Scotland as a preliminary qualification in Catholic religious education. 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 their personal “religious belief and character” enables them 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 programme will be accepted in all Dioceses as fulfilling the requirements for obtaining “an appropriate teaching qualification in Catholic Religious Education”. However, you should note that this does not negate the requirement to obtain approval of their religious belief and character prior to appointment.

Fees & funding

Entry requirements

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

How to apply

Additional documentation

• Priest reference: applicant's statement

Application deadlines

Please ensure that you submit your completed application as soon as possible.