Postgraduate study

Source: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/religiouseducationbydistancelearning/ Parent: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/

Postgraduate taught

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

This online programme has been specifically designed to provide you with the requisite understanding of the main tenets of Catholic Christian theology. You will also learn about the Catholic vision of education and the methodology appropriate to Catholic religious education in primary and secondary schools.

Online distance learning
Academic contact: catholic-education@glasgow.ac.uk
Teaching start: September
Online
Cert: 12 months part‑time

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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.

Programme structure

Core courses

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

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.

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

Tuition fees for 2026-27

Cert

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

Scottish Government funding includes 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 enrolled on an ITE programme at a Scottish University.

Fee status

Fee status guidance

Entry requirements

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

English language requirements

For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

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

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

Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme:

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

Tests taken up to 20 January 2026

90 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Tests taken from 21 January 2026

92 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 22; Listening 20; Speaking 23; Writing 21
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

65 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 60; Speaking 65; Writing 60
Online PTE not accepted for entry
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme 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 with no subtest less than 169
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme 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 programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

LanguageCert Academic/ Academic Online

70 overall with no subtest less than 65
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme 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 programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II

Two subtests at 96 or higher, and two subtests at 80 or higher
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Kaplan Test of English

Any two subtests at 480 or higher, and any two subtests at 450 or higher
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme 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 their final year 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 and 3+1 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
students must have completed their final year of 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.

More information on our Pre-sessional courses.

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

CREDL - Applicant’s Statement & Priest’s Reference

Application deadlines

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