Postgraduate Diploma in Education

Programme Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PgDE) programme is anchored on the conviction that the school ethos, curriculum, teaching, learning, and assessment approaches must impart knowledge, skills, and values that make graduates confident, competent, and educative for the challenges of the 21^st century. Consequently, the programme aims to prepare University graduates with professional training to teach in higher secondary schools (Classes IX-XII). The programme also aims to produce teachers who are not only passionate, knowledgeable, and skilful but are committed and possess the right attitude towards their teaching profession, and are responsive to the changing needs of the Bhutanese society and the wider world. Further, the programme aims to equip students with pedagogical competencies in their specific subjects and foster an understanding of diverse learners in classroom settings. Upon successful completion, students are expected to have acquired appropriate pedagogical knowledge, a deeper understanding of educational goals and development, and the professional confidence to begin their careers as teachers.  

Learning Outcomes of the Programme

On completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:

1. explain content and pedagogical knowledge across various teaching and learning contexts;
2. describe theories of human development and the learning process to address the psycho-social needs of adolescents;
3. analysehow knowledge, skills, and values apply within the context of Bhutanese classrooms;
4. identify opportunities and challenges within the national education system through School Immersion and Teaching Practice;
5. demonstrate effective teaching of subjects of specialisation for diverse learners in secondary schools;
6. designcurricula with appropriate teaching methodologies and assessment models aligned to school standards;
7. implementclassroom strategies that create an environment conducive to learning for all students;
8. applyclassroom management techniques, including time management, communication, and record-keeping, to enhance student learning;
9. develop ICT-based instructional materials to support teaching and learning;
10. demonstrate professionalism and commitment to the teaching profession; and
11. establish ethical and collaborative relationships with colleagues and the community to achieve school-based educational goals.

Programme Structure 

Table 1 

Programme Structure for the Postgraduate Diploma in Education

The PgDE programme is offered on a modular basis and consists of a total of 135 credit points distributed across two academic semesters. The curriculum includes five professional development modules, one personal development module, one subject specialisation module, and nine-week School Immersion and Teaching Practice (SITP). Each module carries 15 credit points, where one credit is equivalent to 10 notional hours, while the SITP carries 30 credit points, equivalent to two modules. This modular structure ensures a balanced integration of theoretical knowledge, pedagogical skills, and practical teaching experience.

The modules are organised in a coherent and progressive manner to support the systematic development of teacher professionalism. In Semester I, students undertake core professional modules such as PSY503 Introduction to Educational Psychology, EAS503 Educational Assessment and Evaluation, PDY505 Teaching Methods, and PDY506 Educational Technology, along with a subject of specialisation module. These modules provide foundational knowledge on learner psychology, pedagogical approaches, assessment practices, and the use of educational technology in teaching. The knowledge and skills gained during this semester prepare students for their field-based teaching practicum.

In Semester II, students undertake the School Immersion and Teaching Practice (STP502) for nine weeks, where they gain practical teaching experience in real classroom settings. Following the practicum, students complete CUS503 Curriculum Studies and the personal development module COU502 Counselling for Well-being in Schools. These modules strengthen students’ understanding of curriculum processes and support the development of competencies related to counselling, communication, and positive learner engagement. The subject of specialisation allows students to prepare for teaching specific disciplines at the secondary school level, including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, English, History, Geography, Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship, Accountancy, and Technology. This ensures that graduates possess both strong subject knowledge and the pedagogical competence required for effective teaching in Bhutanese secondary schools. The semester-wise progressive arrangement of programme modules is detailed in Table 1 above.

For more information about the programme, please contact:

Mr. Kuenzang Gyeltshen
Dean of Academic Affairs
Email: daa.sce@rub.edu.bt
Phone: +975-05-365397

(or)

Mrs. Sonam Zangmo
Program Leader
Email: pgdepl.sce@rub.edu.bt