Welcome events for Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) students

Matriculation (registration) - online

Matriculation is where you officially register as a student with the University of Dundee, to allow you to attend classes and access facilities such as the Library and My Dundee. You'll be asked to matriculate at the start of every academic year while you are a student.

• Before you start your course, Registry will send an email to your application email address with a link to eVision.
• Please follow the directions from Registry to support the matriculation process.

Read our guide on matriculation for new and continuing students

Your first week

• Week commencing Monday 19 August

Registration

Please arrive in time for registration on Monday 19 August, 08:45 - 09:30 in the Dalhousie Building. Registry tables will be set up in Rooms 1F01, 1F06 and 1F18. A member of staff will meet you in the foyer and direct you to the correct room.  There you will receive your student ID and your group list, which you will use to follow the timetable during Welcome.

Week 1 focus

The focus of our first week of the PGDE programme is to support you in your transition to study. In Week 1 there will be an emphasis on building relationships, developing confidence navigating the on-campus and virtual learning spaces, and becoming familiar with what it means to be a teacher in Scotland. We look forward to getting to know each of you in this first week and supporting your transition to the PGDE learning journey.

Blended learning

Our programme uses a blended learning approach.

• Monday - Thursday: On-campus workshops, lectures, and tutorials.
• Friday: Primarily online via Collaborate Ultra (occasional on-campus sessions may occur).

Welcome activities will begin on Monday 19 August, and follow this schedule.

Week 1 timetable

You will be put into one of the following groups: 

• Primary Group 1
• Primary Group 2
• Primary Group 3
• and Secondary

Each group will have a slightly different timetable, so it is important that you check the timetable of the group that you are in. All students will start off together in Lecture Theatre 4 in Dalhousie at 09:30 on Monday 19 August.

Primary Group 1 timetable

Primary Group 2 timetable

Primary Group 3 timetable

Secondary timetable

Lunch on Monday 19 August 

You are advised to bring along a packed lunch for Monday 19 August. There will be limited time to go out to buy lunch, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the campus. 

Attending classes

For all inputs, students are advised to bring an electronic device to support attendance taking procedures and to access online tools that will be used to support teaching and learning. The university uses a digital attendance-taking system, SEAts, to capture student attendance. 

Meet the PGDE team

The PGDE programme has a 5-module structure: 3 of which are university-based modules, and two are practice based in schools. The university-based modules are ED41072 Introduction to Learning and Teaching and ED42075 Developing Practice are university-based modules, both of which are assessed through patchwork written assignments.

The placement modules are ED41073, ED42076 and ED42077 and are each of six weeks duration. These modules are designed to encourage a steady progression of skills and knowledge with increased expectations per placement, culminating in the students successfully meeting the requirements of the GTCS Standards for Provisional Registration having successfully completed the final placement (ED42077). 

Key dates

The following table offers an overview of key programme dates including periods of study for each university module, the placement modules, assignment due dates, and holidays.

Library support

Guidance for students on using our libraries and related services

Reading

You may wish to explore the following links in advance of the programme start date. They will take you to information about key study skills and content that is relevant to becoming a teacher in Scotland:

• Making notes
• Critical thinking
• Academic Skills for PGDE students
• What is Curriculum for Excellence?
• The Standard for Provisional Registration

We look forward to meeting each of you on Monday 19 August. 

Best wishes, 
The PGDE TEAM