Modern Foreign Languages

Applicants should offer more than one language. 

Entry requirements for the first language offered

For the first foreign language offered, applicants must:

• have a degree with at least 80 credit points in the language they want to teach
• have lived for six months in a country where the language is spoken before starting the course

The applicant's academic study must include an element which will allow the applicant to contribute to the wider aspects of programmes of study in schools, such as literature, cultural studies, area studies or languages in work.

While living abroad the applicant must have fully taken part in the language and culture of the relevant country. Applicants must normally have lived in the relevant country in blocks of at least three months.

Applicants who have spent one of their study years abroad will be considered as having met the residency requirement in the language in question.

Entry requirements for second languages

Applicants must fully meet the requirements for their first foreign language.

They must also:

• have a degree with at least 80 credit points in the second language they want to teach
• have lived for at least three months in a country where the language is spoken before starting the course

The applicant's academic study must include an element which will allow them to contribute to the wider aspects of programmes of study in schools, such as literature, cultural studies, area studies or languages in work.

While living abroad the applicant must have fully taken part in the language and culture of the relevant country. The period of three months must either be consecutive or in blocks of at least four weeks. The GTCS will answer any questions about registration and residency requirements for second languages.

Native speakers of a modern foreign language

Native speakers of a modern foreign language who have finished a degree in their own language which meets the requirements in paragraph 1 may train to teach their native language. For example, a French student with a degree in German can train to teach German and French.

Candidates who do not meet these requirements may wish to visit our section on Becoming a Teacher or the Scottish Executive website Teaching in Scotland.

Find out about How to Apply.