PGCE (Incorporating the Diploma in Education and Teaching) interviews

In preparation, we would like you to complete the following tasks to demonstrate your potential to undertake an Initial Teacher Training programme.

Task one

Interview research task

We expect applicants to have a broad overview of the role of a teacher in the Further Education and Skills sector and be able to articulate this at interview. In preparation for this, you should complete the PGCE/Cert Ed Candidate interview research guidance sheet. You will be expected to show and articulate your experience of the sector, your understanding of the role of a teacher of your subject specialism, and your ability to research government policies and initiatives relevant to the sector. 

Download the interview research guidance sheet to complete.

Task two

Micro-teach task

Prepare a five minute subject specialist micro-teach to present to staff (maximum of two) and other applicants (maximum of six). This should take the form of a talk with any materials you think are appropriate.

You should select an aspect of your subject specialism which you might expect to teach in the classroom to meet a specific outcome. You will have five minutes for this and so need to choose your topic carefully. The aim is to get the other participants fully involved and interacting in the session. There will be no resources available, this includes IT facilities, so you should bring any resources you wish to use.

Please bring the following documentation with you:

• original GCSE maths, English and science certificates
  
• original degree certificate (if achieved and applying for a postgraduate programme)
  
• photocopy of your degree certificate (if achieved and applying for a postgraduate programme)
  
• any pre-work you have been asked to complete in your invitation letter, further details on this
  work can be found on the individual subject specific interview pages.

To prepare for your interview we recommend thinking about the reasons you want to study on the course you have applied for. Current students have said they found it useful to make sure they had knowledge of some of the topical issues in the news.

Specific programmes may require more preparation, further information on this is available from the relevant course link.

Disability and dyslexia advice and support

We talk to students about disability support and any reasonable adjustments available for their programme of study. A disability can be a mental health condition, dyslexia or any other specific learning difficulty, autism, or long term medical condition – such as epilepsy or diabetes.

If you have a disability, please ensure you have read the information on our Disability Services webpage. Please scroll down to the bottom of the page and open the Disability disclosure information 2018 document.

If you require any adjustments for your interview, please email educationinterviews@plymouth.ac.uk prior to your interview date.

We aim to inform you of the outcome of your interview within ten working days.

If you are successful at interview, as part of your offer you will be required to pass the QTS Skills Test and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure. Further details on these are below.

Skills Test

It is advised that you complete your Skills Test as soon as possible. Visit our skills test pages for more information or to book your test please visit the Department of Education website.

Please note those applying for PGCE / CertEd (incorporating the Diploma in Education and Teaching) do not have to take the QTS Skills Test.

Dislosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure

Our courses require students to work in positions requiring public trust. In order to ensure public protection and safety, all applicants will be asked to declare any convictions or cautions against them, and to declare any pending prosecutions. This can be done on the UCAS application form.

Enhanced disclosures will be made on all students when they hold conditional firm or unconditional firm status. You will be sent details of how to complete the check online as part of your offer, with details of how to do so at this point. This process must be completed, even if a check has recently been completed for another organisation. All information is treated in the utmost confidence.

A disclosure which contains details of an offence does not automatically preclude study on one of our courses. We operate a Professional Issues Committee which will consider each case individually and confidentially. In all instances the committee is assessing whether the disclosure would prevent an applicant from going on placement or obtaining employment on graduation.

What do the writing task, literacy and numeracy test assess?

The literacy and numeracy tests will ascertain your current level of skill in these areas. The writing task helps us to assess your ability to write without time for preparation.

How soon will I hear after interview?

We aim to let you know within two weeks of the interview.

What happens after my interview?

If successful at your initial interview with the PGCE team, you will be contacted to arrange a placement interview at a local college. In preparation for this, you should research the programmes on offer at the college and identify those which you have the necessary subject specialist knowledge to teach. This will help you to demonstrate your potential to undertake an initial teacher training placement at the college.

Accommodation

If you are offered a place on the programme, you may need accommodation whilst in Plymouth. The University does have halls and other forms of accommodation for postgraduate students. However, you may prefer to arrange your accommodation in shared housing with other PGCE students.

The benefits of this are:

• you all have similar workloads
  
• you may be able to share transport to college or school placements
  
• you are able to talk about your experiences and share knowledge.
  

Any questions you have regarding accommodation should be directed to our accommodation office. Further information and contact details are available via www.plymouth.ac.uk/accommodation.

What are the costs for placements?

Should students incur travel costs in order to arrive and depart placement at the appropriate times AND if the travel costs exceed their normal commute to campus from term-time address, then the University provides funds early on in the placement. Additionally, if the commute to placement is deemed in excess of that which would be considered practical, then students may be provided with an allowance for accommodation. The exact figures will be made available during the induction week.

Can I organise my own teaching placement?