PGCE vs PGDE: Which One Is Right for You

PGCE vs PGDE are both teacher-training qualifications for graduates who want to teach in schools. They look similar at first, but the choice can matter because it affects where you train, how many Master’s-level credits you get, and how straightforward it is to start teaching in different parts of the UK.

A PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) is widely offered in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. A PGDE (Professional Graduate Diploma in Education / Postgraduate Diploma in Education) is the standard postgraduate route into teaching in Scotland, and it’s regulated through the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).

One of the biggest differences is structure and credits. A typical PGCE awards 60 credits at Master’s level (Level 7). A PGDE usually awards 120 Master’s level credits, so it’s closer to a full postgraduate diploma. It’s still short of a full Master’s degree (which is usually 180 credits), but it gives you more academic credit than a PGCE.

In this guide, you’ll get a clear picture of what each qualification really is, how they connect to QTS, which one makes most sense depending on where you want to teach, and how to choose based on your career plans — including international teaching.

PGCE vs PGDE: What’s the Difference?

People often talk about PGCE and PGDE like they’re completely different, but the truth is simpler: both are postgraduate teacher-training routes, and both include university learning plus time in schools. The main differences are credits, country, and how the route is “packaged.”

Credits and level

• PGCE: usually Level 7 and typically worth 60 Master’s credits.
• PGDE: usually Level 7 and typically worth 120 Master’s credits, which means more academic modules and more assessed work.

So, if you like the academic side — essays, research, reflective assignments — a PGDE often gives you more of that.

Region and regulatory body

• PGCE: mainly linked with teacher training in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• PGDE: the standard one-year postgraduate route in Scotland, usually GTCS-accredited.

Typical structure

Both routes mix classroom theory with real teaching experience.

• Scottish PGDE programmes are often described as 36 weeks full-time, roughly split between university study and school placements (often close to 18 weeks + 18 weeks).
• Many PGCEs in England include at least 24 weeks of school placement within a one-year course.

In everyday terms: both are intense, practical, and placement-heavy. The PGDE is often “bigger” academically because of the extra credits.

What Is a PGCE?

A PGCE is a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. It’s one of the most common routes into school teaching in the UK, especially in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

What it includes

A PGCE is a mix of:

• university teaching about learning, assessment, classroom management, and education policy
• school-based training where you teach with support, gradually taking on more responsibility

You’re not just sitting in lectures. You’re planning lessons, teaching, being observed, getting feedback, and improving quickly.

Credits and level

Most PGCEs award up to 60 Master’s-level credits (Level 7). Many people like this because those credits can often count towards a later Master’s in Education if you decide to continue studying.

Duration

Most PGCEs are one academic year full-time, but some universities offer part-time or distance options, usually taking around two years.

PGCE and QTS

This part is really important. In England, the legal requirement to teach in most state schools is QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) — not the PGCE itself. Many training routes offer QTS + PGCE together, and that’s the most common choice. But it’s possible to:

• get QTS without a PGCE (through some school-centred routes), or
• do a PGCE without QTS (often aimed at international or independent school contexts)

So if you’re applying for a PGCE, you always want to check what the programme actually includes.

What Is a PGDE?

A PGDE is a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education or Postgraduate Diploma in Education. In Scotland, it’s the standard postgraduate teacher-training course for people who want to teach in primary or secondary schools.

Structure

A typical Scottish PGDE is usually described as 36 weeks full-time, roughly split between:

• time at university (learning and preparation), and
• time on placement (teaching in schools)

It’s practical, fast-paced, and focused on becoming classroom-ready.

Credits and level

A PGDE is usually treated as Level 7 (Master’s level) and usually awards 120 credits. That’s a key difference: it’s a bigger academic award than a PGCE, which is typically 60 credits.

Outcome in Scotland

In Scotland, successful completion leads to meeting the GTCS Standard for Provisional Registration, which allows you to teach in Scottish state schools as a probationer.

A quick note about “PGDE” outside Scotland

Some providers in England may use “PGDE” for a 120-credit diploma version of a PGCE-style course. So the name can sometimes be used in different ways — but in UK terms, “PGDE” is most closely linked with Scotland.

How Long Does a PGCE vs PGDE Take?

This part is simple.

PGCE (England/Wales/NI)

• Usually one academic year full-time (often around 36–43 weeks, depending on the provider and calendar).
• Part-time or distance options often take two years.

PGDE (Scotland)

• Usually one academic year full-time, often described as about 36 weeks, split between university time and placements.
• Some part-time or distance routes can take up to two years.

Time-wise, they’re broadly similar. The big difference is that a PGDE usually has more credit-bearing assignments.

Do PGCE and PGDE Lead to QTS?

This is where people get confused, so let’s keep it crystal clear.

England and Wales

• QTS is the legal requirement for most state school teaching roles.
• Many training routes offer QTS + PGCE together, which is why people talk about them like they come as a pair.
• But you can get QTS without a PGCE, and you can also do a PGCE without QTS in some cases.

Scotland

• Scotland doesn’t use QTS in the same way.
• The PGDE is the standard route and leads to GTCS Provisional Registration, which is Scotland’s key “licence” to teach in state schools.

Moving within the UK

If you qualify in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, you can often apply for QTS in England through the routes designed for teachers trained outside England (including other UK nations).

The key point

Neither “PGCE” nor “PGDE” automatically guarantees QTS by itself. You must check whether:

• the PGCE includes QTS, or
• the PGDE leads to GTCS registration

Which Qualification Is Better for Teaching in the UK?

There isn’t one “best” option for everyone. The right choice depends on where you want to teach and what you want from the course.

If you want to teach mainly in England or Wales, a PGCE with QTS is usually the most straightforward route into state schools. Schools and academy trusts are very used to that combination. If you want to teach mainly in Scotland, a Scottish PGDE that leads to GTCS Provisional Registration is the normal route and what employers expect. Also, it helps to remember what most employers really care about:

• you have the correct licence (QTS or GTCS registration)
• can manage a classroom
• can plan and teach strong lessons
• you can support pupils with different needs

The label matters, but your actual training outcome and your classroom skill matter more.

How Useful Are Online CPD Courses for UK Teachers?

Once you’ve got your PGCE or PGDE, you’re not “finished.” Teaching is a job where you keep learning. CPD (continuing professional development) is essential, not optional. The idea is simple: good teaching doesn’t stay good by accident. It improves when you keep training, reflecting, and trying better ways of doing things. Online CPD can be genuinely useful when it’s done well. It tends to work best when it:

• includes interaction (not just watching videos)
• happens over time (not a one-off session)
• links clearly to what you try in your own classroom

Online CPD is especially handy if you’re busy, have family commitments, live far from training centres, or want a specialist topic like SEND, EAL, behaviour, or curriculum design. But it’s not all automatically good. “Online CPD” can sometimes mean a quick webinar with no follow-up. That might feel nice in the moment, but it doesn’t always change practice. The better programmes usually include practice, feedback, and time to embed learning.

Linking back to PGCE vs PGDE: your initial qualification gets you into teaching, but your long-term progress often comes from steady CPD. For headteachers, someone with solid training (PGCE or PGDE) plus a clear track record of meaningful CPD often looks stronger than someone with a “better” label but little ongoing development.

How Do Entry Requirements Compare?

Entry requirements vary by provider, but the basics are similar.

Common basics for both

• a Bachelor’s degree (often 2:2 or above)
• suitability checks (enhanced DBS in most of the UK, PVG in Scotland)
• references
• usually some evidence that you understand what working with young people is like

PGCE (England/Wales/NI)

Many providers typically ask for:

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths at grade 4/C or above
• for primary teaching, Science at grade 4/C is also commonly required
• a degree that matches the subject for secondary teaching (or enough subject content)

PGDE (Scotland)

Scottish requirements are usually described slightly differently:

• Primary PGDE: degree (or equivalent), plus Higher English and National 5 Maths (or equivalent grades)
• Secondary PGDE: a degree with enough credits in the subject area, plus Higher English and National 5 Maths (or equivalents)

In both routes, subject match and the English/Maths requirements are often the big deciding factors.

Which Course Is Right for Your Career Goals?

This is the part that helps you decide without overthinking it.

If you want to teach in England or Wales long-term

• Look for a PGCE that includes QTS. That keeps the route simple and matches what most state schools expect.

If you want to teach in Scotland

• A Scottish PGDE (Primary or Secondary) is usually the natural choice, because it’s the standard route and leads into GTCS registration.

If you’re not sure where you’ll end up

Try to choose a route that gives you:

• a recognised UK teaching licence (QTS or GTCS registration), and
• a Level 7 qualification (PGCE with 60 credits or PGDE with 120 credits)

That keeps doors open for teaching across the UK and in many international schools.

If you want more academic depth

If you enjoy study and want more Master’s credits built in, a PGDE (120 credits) can suit you well. It can also be helpful if you’re thinking about leadership later, or you like the idea of doing a full Master’s after a few years.

If you want the most direct route into the classroom

A PGCE with QTS is often seen as the “classic” fast route into teaching in England/Wales, while a Scottish PGDE is the standard direct route in Scotland. Both get you classroom-ready quickly, but the labels match different parts of the UK. A good way to decide is to ask yourself:

• Do I want primary or secondary?
• Do I want more academic assignments, or do I prefer a lighter academic load?
• Where do I want to live for the next few years?
• Do I want the option to top up to a full Master’s later?

Final Thoughts

PGCE and PGDE are both postgraduate, Level 7 teacher-training routes. They do the same big job: they train graduates to teach in schools. The main difference is emphasis:

• PGCE: usually 60 credits, more common in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
• PGDE: usually 120 credits, the standard route in Scotland

But the most important thing isn’t the label. It’s the licence. For teaching in UK state schools, what matters most is:

• QTS (England/Wales), or
• GTCS registration (Scotland)

So the best advice is simple: pick the route that matches where you want to teach, and always check what the course actually includes. There’s no single “better” choice for everyone. The right course depends on where you’ll teach first, how much academic credit you want, and what kind of career you’re aiming for — in the UK or internationally.

FAQs

Is PGDE or PGCE better?

• Neither is better overall. A PGCE suits England and Wales, while a PGDE suits Scotland. The best choice depends on where you want to teach and how many Master’s credits you want.

Does a PGDE give you QTS?

• No. A Scottish PGDE leads to GTCS provisional registration, not QTS. You can later apply for QTS in England through the recognised routes for teachers trained outside England.

Is PGDE recognised in England?

• Yes. A Scottish PGDE is recognised in England, but you’ll usually need to apply separately for QTS before teaching in most English state schools.

Is PGCE enough to be a teacher?

• A PGCE alone is not always enough. To teach in most English state schools, you need QTS, which is often awarded alongside a PGCE but must be checked.

Is a PGCE harder than a degree?

• A PGCE is usually more intense than a degree. It combines academic study with full-time teaching placements, making it demanding but practical rather than academically harder.

What is the 70/30 rule in teaching?

• The 70/30 rule typically means around 70% classroom placement and 30% university-based training, though the exact split varies by provider and course.