Psychology is widely taught in Scotland’s schools. School teachers of psychology tend to fall into two categories:

• Those based in schools, who may also be teachers of other school subjects
• FE lecturers, who visit schools to deliver the subject

Psychology is also taught at college, with many students doing the Intermediate and Higher qualifications. 'HN' courses have a more applied, vocational emphasis and enable progression to university, or to further professional training or employment. The HN in Social Science includes a strong element of Psychology.

Training as a college lecturer

If you have a degree in psychology and want to train as a college teacher/lecturer of psychology, you will usually complete a Teaching Qualification in Further Education (TQFE) in Social Sciences. This is a one-year training course.

If you are currently a college lecturer, it is possible to complete the TQFE on an in-service basis.

It will be helpful if you can register with the General Teaching Council of Scotland (GTCS), as this may be required in order for you to visit schools in your area. Visit http://www.gtcs.org.uk/registration/registration.aspx

Training as a teacher

Secondary school teachers are usually required to have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) and to register with GTCS.

The ATPS are campaigning for a PGDE in Psychology to be introduced, but it does not currently exist. Therefore if you want to teach the subject in schools, unfortunately it is necessary to do your initial training in another school subject. Students interested in this route could do a joint honours degree, combining psychology and another school subject.

Once qualified as a school teacher, you should register psychology as an additional teaching subject with the GTCS, in a process known as Professional Registration, to allow you to teach the subject. You will need at least 80 university credits in psychology, i.e. the equivalent of 1^st and 2^nd year of university-level studies for this process. See http://www.gtcs.org.uk/registration/registration.aspx or speak to your CPD coordinator.

Everyone's situation is unique, and if you contact the ATPS through our website, someone will be happy to provide advice.

Also, take a look at our Jobs & CPD section for information on opportunities and courses that might help you.