FAQ
Programme Information
Q) I want further information about the PGCE and would like to speak with a tutor.
A) Although the tutors welcome queries, there are only a small number of them per PGCE specialism and most of their time during the year is taken up with current students and those who have been offered a place. Queries about the PGCE can be directed to Student Recruitment who are at the forefront of administering the programme prior to its start. The Faculty of Education also holds several PGCE Open Events throughout the year where there is an opportunity to learn more about the PGCE and speak face-to-face with subject tutors. The dates of open days, times and locations can be found at
www.canterbury.ac.uk/opendays
For further information contact:
education@canterbury.ac.uk tel: 01227 782635
Q) When does the PGCE start?
A) The full-time PGCEs (Primary, 7-14, 11-18, 14-19 and Post Compulsory) start in September, the part-time Primary starts in April and the Modular Flexible starts in January.
Q) How many days a week will I have to attend and how long will it take me to complete the PGCE?
A) Full-time PGCE Primary spend a total of 18 weeks on placement and 18 weeks in University. Students doing the PGCE 7-14, 11-18 and 14-19 years spend a total of 24 weeks in two different placements and 12 weeks in University undertaking
Curriculum andProfessional studies. The programme starts in early/mid September and ends in June/July of the following year.
Students on the Post Compulsory spend the first 4 weeks in University followed by 4 days in placement and 1 day in University. The programme starts in September and ends in June/July of the following year.
The Modular Flexible course is designed to be taken independently from a distance, but students must be prepared to attend face-to-face tutorials, an induction period at the commencement of the course, and at least 12 days of taught sessions throughout the duration of their programme. A maximum of 24 weeks placement is required for secondary subjects (English, Maths and Music) but previous experience will be taken into consideration.
Q) At which campus is the PGCE studies
A) All PGCE programmes, with the exception of the Primary part-time, are based at Canterbury.
The Primary part-time programme is based at Broadstairs, Medway and Salmons.
Q) Is it possible to do the PGCE course that I’m interested in on a part-time basis?
A) The only PGCE courses run on a part-time basis are the Primary and Modular Flexible, all other programmes are full-time as advertised.
Q) Is there a programme for people that want to teach in Higher Education?
A) We do not offer a PGCE or any other teacher training route that prepares for employment in Higher Education institutes. Employability in this sector is usually based on an individual’s level of qualifications and/or experience, and it is just a case of applying for advertised positions. Once employed in HE a University can offer a certificate in learning and teaching, which is endorsed by the HEA. There is no statutory requirement to have such a qualification.
Q) I was awarded the PGCE after undertaking the Post Compulsory route but I now work in a school and need QTS. What programme can I do to achieve the award of QTS?
A) It is a requirement for all school based teachers to have the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Anyone that has undertaken the PGCE Post Compulsory route and later decides to teach in a school, is not considered as a qualified teacher, unless they have undertake further training and been awarded QTS. The “Training Grant Only” programme is specifically designed for unqualified teacher who have significant and relevant teaching experience and leads to the award of QTS.
PGCE Modular may offer some credit exemption for people with this qualification.
Applications
Q) How do I apply for the PGCE?
A) Applications for the full-time Primary, 7-14, 11-18 and 14-19 programmes are made via the
GTTR (www.gttr.ac.uk) and all other applications are made directly to the University. Application forms are downloadable from the PGCE information pages on the website.
Q) How does the application process work?
A) Once applications have been received they are sent to a specialist tutor for screening. If the tutor decides to proceed with the application, the applicant will be invited to an interview day where they will decide whether or not to offer a place to the applicant.
Visit the How to Apply page for further
information.
Q) What PGCE can I apply for with my degree subject?
A) The degree subject doesn’t matter for PGCE Primary programmes, as teaching is done across the curriculum. For all other PGCEs usually at least 50% of the degree modules should be relevant to the degree subject, as the programme does not provide the subject knowledge but prepares students for teaching the subject. In some cases where the degree subject is not relevant to the
PGCE subject previous employment experience, MA subjects and A level subjects are taken into consideration by the tutor when assessing the application. GCSE level knowledge is not considered high enough for this programme.
Q) Can I make a direct application?
A) Direct applications can only be made for the Primary part-time, Modular Flexible route and Post Compulsory PGCEs. Applications for all other PGCEs must be made via the GTTR.
Q) I’m an international student. How do I make an application?
A) An application should be made in the same way as indicated above. Please contact the
International Office for requirements and advice on fees, language competence and other matters.
Q) Do you keep a waiting list in case students drop-out?
A) We do not operate a waiting list system. The PGCE is an intensive programme and therefore it is essential that students do not miss any elements of it, as such, all students must start the programme on time as it is not possible to make up for missed elements.
Q) I won’t finish my degree until December 2010? Can I still start the PGCE in September 2010?
A) All entry requirements must be met by the start of the PGCE. As such, anyone who is not awarded their degree until after the start date (even if this is only a few months later) cannot start the PGCE until the next intake.
Q) I’m not going to get my degree until the July 2010. Can I submit an application now for September 2010 entry?
A) As long as an applicant expects to meet the entry requirements by the start of the PGCE an application can be submitted prior to this.
Q) Should I submit an application before I have gained school experience?
A) All applicants for the Primary programme will be expected to have undertaken recent and relevant school experience prior to submitting an application, and should reflect on this in the personal statement. Tutors for other PGCE programmes will also look for this or intent of doing a placement at application stage. However, by interview stage it would be expected that applicants have this experience as it is drawn on in the interview process.
Q) What is the GTTR code for the course for which I want to apply?
A) All GTTR codes (used when making an application via the GTTR and not by direct application) can be found on the GTTR website, on the University’s PGCE subject information pages and in the prospectus.
Q) I want to change/add to my personal statement before it is sent to be screened by the tutor. How can I do this?
A) If your personal statement was written for a different subject to the one which you are now going to be screened for or you want to add to it, you can email through this through to the relevant Student Recruitment (PGCE) Officer.
Q) What is the closing date for submitting applications?
A) The initial closing date for the Primary full-time applications is the 1 December, however, applications can still be submitted after this date (but will be classified as “late”) and we cannot guarantee that places will still be available. There isn’t a closing date for the 7- 14, 11-18 or 14-19 programmes,
as we recruit until all places have been filled, as such we always recommend
applying as early as possible - the later in the year that an application is submitted the fewer places are likely to be available.
Q) When can I submit my application?
A) Applications for the full-time PGCEs can be made from about mid September.
Q) How much school experience should I have before submitting an application?
A) We recommend that you undertake at least ten days relevant school experience before submitting your application.
Qualifications
Q) What are the entry requirements?
Q) I don’t have the required GCSEs. What can I do?
A) The University offers equivalency tests to eligible applicants that are successfully interviewed and offered a place on the programme. (*English and Maths tests are not available to applicants for the PGCE Primary general full-time programme).
Q) What is accepted as an equivalent to GCSEs?
A) ) If an applicant is unsure if the qualification that they have is equivalent to a GCSE they should contact Student Recruitment.
Q) How can I revise for the equivalency test?
A) All information about the equivalency test is made available to applicants when they are made an offer.
Q) Is there a charge for the equivalency test?
A) There is currently a £25 administration fee for the test payable on the day.
Q) Can I take the GCSE at the same time as doing the PGCE?
A) All entry requirements must be met by the start of the programme, therefore, if an applicant does not meet the GCSE requirements by the start of the PGCE they will not be allowed to start it.
Q) I’ve lost my certificates. How can I prove my qualifications?
A) At registration proof that an applicant meets the entry requirements must be shown and the documents must be original. If an applicant has lost their certificates then they can do one of several things: contact the exam board and request a statement of results or a letter summarising your qualifications. If the exam board is not known and the school are not able to advise on which one was used, then the LEA should be contacted as they should be able to say which exam board the school used in the year that the exam was taken. Alternatively, we would accept a summary of an applicant’s qualifications and grades on headed paper. Transcripts are accepted in place of certificates but they must be the originals.
Q) What will it mean if I fail the University’s equivalency test?
A) There are two opportunities to pass the Science equivalency test, as there are two different tests (General and Biology) but only one opportunity to take the English and Maths equivalency tests. If a candidate does not pass the tests we would recommend that they take a GCSE and re-apply for the PGCE starting the following academic year.
Q) What award will the PGCE give me?
Q) What Science subjects are accepted for the GCSE (or equivalent) Science requirement?
A) Only traditional Science subjects are accepted e.g. Biology, Physics, Chemistry or General Science.
Q) I have a qualification from a non-UK institution and want to know if it is degree equivalent?
A) Anyone who’s unsure if their qualifications are equivalent to a degree or GCSE should contact the University to seek confirmation. It is the University’s final decision as to whether they can accept an individual’s qualifications. The National Academic Recognition Centre (NARIC) provides a written qualifications comparability service of overseas and UK qualifications and can be contacted for this service.
Q) I have a HND. How can I get into teaching?
A) Teacher training programme cannot be completed without a degree. Anyone with a HND, therefore, would have to find a top-up programme which would build on the credits awarded from the HND to award a degree. The Registered Training Programme (RTP) is a two year programme which enables unqualified teachers to undertake their teacher training alongside a top-up course. Other teacher training programmes, such as the PGCE, require applicants to have a degree before they can start the programme.
Funding
Q) Who can I speak with about PGCE funding?
A) Information about PGCE funding can be found on the
Finance page and the
Finance department can be contacted to discuss specific questions.
Interview
Q) I live outside of the UK. Can I be excused from the interview process or have a phone interview?
A) All interviews are conducted at the University on a face-to-face basis because the format of the interview includes a numeracy and literacy test (done under test conditions) and a Professional Studies group interview, which focuses on communication and presentation skills, as well as a subject interview.
Q) How should I dress for the interview?
A) It will be expected that applicants being interviewed will dress formally, as would be expected for any other interview.
Q) I can’t make the interview on the date that I’ve been given. Can I change it?
A) In most cases the interview date can be changed but this does depend on whether other interviews dates are being offered for that particular subject. Dates for the interviews are set in advance by the tutors, and as such an alternative date would be offered from these.
Q) I’m going travelling and want to apply for the PGCE. Will this be a problem?
A) ) If you are going travelling it would be advisable to contact us to find out when interviews start, if there are any summer schools that you would need to attend if offered a place, and when the programme starts. Some places are offered on a conditional basis and failure to meet these conditions is likely to jeopardise the offer. Conditions could include completing a subject booster course before the start of the PGCE or undertaking a school placement, and so you should take this into consideration.
Q) How can I revise for the literacy task and numeracy test?
A) ) The literacy task and numeracy tests are very basic (based
on the QTS skills tests that students need to pass while on the programme) and are used by tutors to assess whether any work needs to be done by the individual in these areas before starting the PGCE.
Q) If I’m selected for interview when will this take place?
A) Interview dates are set in advance by tutors and in the main fall on a Wednesday,
although 14-19 interviews are held on Fridays. If a tutor decides to proceed with an application and therefore interview, the applicant will be sent the next interview date for that particular PGCE.
CRB
Q) I’ve already completed a CRB. Can this be used?
A) If you have a CRB that was completed through the University and was issued within a year of the PGCE starting, then it might be possible to use it but this should be verified with the CRB Officer.
Q) How long will it take for my CRB to be processed?
A) The processing of the CRB application form can take any time from a couple of weeks onwards, depending on the time of the year and the number of applications that the CRB are processing.
Q) How much is the CRB?
A) The CRB currently costs £36 and a £5 admin fee (£41 total).
Q) Do I have to be CRB cleared before I can undertake a school placement?
A) CRB clearance is required in order to undertake school placements but on occasions there are instances where a student’s clearance has not come through in time. In these cases, the University will contact the placement school to ask if they are willing to accept a student without CRB clearance but with list 99 clearance.
Offers
Q) I’ve been offered a place on the PGCE but I want to change the age group. Can I do this?
A) The decision is at the discretion of the subject tutor and
Programme Director; a consequence of changing the age group from 7-14 to 11-18 or 11-18 to 7-14 is that the details of your offer might change. The applicant should take into consideration that changing from 11-18 to 7-14 will meant that they would need to meet the GCSE Science entry requirements, which aren’t applicable to the 11-18 age range.
Q) Can I defer my place for a year?
A) The decision to allow an applicant to defer lies with the subject
tutor and Programme Director. Where a deferral is agreed the applicant will be required to re-submit an application via the GTTR for the next academic period.
Accommodation
Q) Who can I speak with about accommodation?
A) The University has an accommodation office that can help with all accommodation queries.
School Placement
Q) Can my school placement be done outside of Kent and S.E. London?
A) The University works in partnership with schools in Kent, S.E. London (and Essex for Maths and Science 11-18 Essex programme only). As tutors have to visit students on placement it is not usually possible for school placements to be done outside of these areas.