The shortage of STEM teachers in the north-east is being tackled by a new collaboration between the University of Aberdeen and Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils through an innovative ‘train local, stay local’ approach.
Supported by a £141,000 Scottish Government grant, the University’s School of Education has launched two new programmes designed to strengthen the pipeline of STEM teachers and equip young people with vital skills for high-growth industries.
From August 2026, the University will reintroduce the one-year, full-time Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) in Computing Science, providing a direct route into teaching for graduates in this high-demand subject. Alongside this, a new MA (Hons) Secondary Education with STEM Subjects programme will create an additional pathway, enabling students with HND qualifications in Applied Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and Computing-relating subjects to enter into Year 3 of University to develop their subject and education knowledge and skills in preparation for Initial Teacher Education in Year 4.
A key feature of the initiative is the close partnership with local authorities, which will offer guaranteed local placements and probationary teaching posts for individuals living in the region who aspire to become Computing Science teachers.
By providing a clear pathway from training to employment within their home communities, the initiative aims to strengthen recruitment and retention in an area where staffing challenges have been particularly acute.
This targeted approach not only supports prospective teachers but also addresses a wider national issue – the ongoing shortage of STEM educators. By focusing on local talent, the partnership seeks to build a more sustainable teaching workforce and enhance the delivery of Computing Science education across the region.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in ensuring that schools in the north-east are equipped with the skilled teachers needed to inspire the next generation in STEM subjects.
Both the PGDE (Computing Science) and MA (Hons) Secondary Education with STEM subjects programmes are available for application now through UCAS for August and September 2026 entry respectively.
Catriona MacDonald, Head of the School of Education at the University of Aberdeen, said: “This initiative creates a strong, locally rooted pathway into teaching that benefits both our students and the schools they will go on to serve. By developing talent within the region, we are helping to ensure that learners across the north-east have access to high-quality STEM education, delivered by skilled and committed teachers who understand their communities.
“In service of both students and the wider education sector, our innovations continue to provide the training opportunities being sought. That we consistently recruit above the national average is evidence of the success of our continuing efforts to adapt.”