Entry Criteria

Foundation Degree in Professional Golf Studies and Professional Golf PGA DipHE

The following criteria must be met if you would like to apply for the PGA Training Programme:

• Normally be 18 years or older by 30th September of the year you intend to start the programme.
• Applicants must demonstrate that they are employed where a Training Pro is permanently attached or employed, earning at least minimum wage and being supervised by the GB & Ireland PGA Member (Training Pro).
• Have an email address and internet access.

Handicap Entry Criteria

• You should have a handicap of 6.4(M) or 8.4 (F) handicap.
• We will require you to verify your handicap with a current World Handicap System (WHS) playing handicap certificate.

Applicant with a maintained handicap of 4.4 (male) or 6.4 (female) or better

A male with a maintained golf handicap of 4.4 or less or a female with a maintained golf handicap of 6.4 or less will be required to play in a minimum of 7 PGA recognised tournament rounds for each year of training. A minimum of 21 recognised tournament rounds is needed to be able to apply for membership of the PGA.

Applicant with a maintained handicap of 6.4 - 4.5 (male) or 8.4 - 6.5 (female)

A male with a maintained golf handicap of 6.4 – 4.5 or a female with a maintained golf handicap of 8.4 6.5 will be required to play in a minimum of 7 PGA recognised tournament rounds for each year of training.
In addition, a person in this category will be required to improve their standard of play whilst on the PGA Training Programme. Male applicants will need to achieve 4 PGA recognised tournament rounds of 4 over par (or better) during the duration of the PGA Training Programme. Female applicants will need to achieve 4 PGA recognised tournament rounds of 6 over par (or better) during the duration of the PGA Training Programme. A minimum of 21 recognised tournament rounds is needed to be able to apply for membership of the PGA.

Academic Entry Criteria in England & Wales

• The minimum academic entry criteria is 4 GCSE’s at grades 4-9 (Pre 2017 A-C). Maths and English Language, included.
• English equivalents or higher
• Level 3 Communication will be accepted.
• Passes at “A” Level (Grade A- D) or higher will naturally be accepted.
• BTEC First Diploma along with GSCE English and Maths at grades 4-9 (A-C).
• 14-16 Diploma Higher Award accepted with GSCE English Language.
• Welsh Baccalaureate Intermediate Diploma accepted with GCSE English Language.
• The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is the International version of the GCSE this is also acceptable at Grade A-C.
• Alternatively, consideration will be given to applicants with Level 2 in Adult Literacy and/or Numeracy.
• Functional Skills 2 in Maths and/or English Language.

Academic Entry Criteria in Scotland

• For the Foundation Degree in Professional Golf Studies (FdSc): The minimum academic entry criteria are 4 National 5 awards grades A-C or better (including English and Maths).
• For the Professional Golf PGA Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE): The minimum academic entry criteria is 2 Scottish Highers at grade C or above. Alternatively, consideration will be given to applicants with four National 5 awards or equivalent (including English and Maths).

Academic Entry Criteria in Ireland

• Leaving certificate obtaining a minimum grade at Ordinary Level of D1 in both English and Mathematics plus a minimum grade at Ordinary Level of D1 in 2 other subjects.
• Passes at higher and honors level will naturally be accepted.
• Please note: Junior Certificate passes at either ordinary or higher level are not accepted.

Academic Overseas

• Applicants from outside the UK must have their country’s equivalent. A suitable level of written and spoken English must be demonstrated.
• All overseas students will have to pass their IELTS before they apply. Visit: www.ieltsexam.net
• Please note: The Applied or Vocational Certificate along with the Intermediate Certificates are not accepted.