If you’re considering becoming a teacher, then this could be the article for you. Following a degree, many students who wish to pursue a career in education will apply for a PGCE as an access route into teaching. Here, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about the whole process. We’ll also be sharing some useful tips and tricks that will help your application procedure run as smoothly as possible. So, please read on to find out more about how to apply for a PGCE!
Qualifications
The first step in the process is to check you have all the necessary and relevant qualifications to study a PGCE. To be eligible for teacher training, students will need to have completed an undergraduate degree in a subject of their choosing. It is also necessary to have at least a grade 4 (C) in English and Maths GCSE, and for those interested in primary education, a grade 4 (C) in GCSE science will also be a requirement. If you do not meet these criteria, don’t worry too much, as there are other access routes into teaching.
Find Out More
Before fully committing to a career in teaching, it is essential that students have thoroughly decided that teaching is the right option for them. This is not the only decision that students need to make, as applicants also need to pick which subject they would like to teach and whether to teach either secondary or primary education. Normally, there are loads of events available, where potential applicants can speak to real teachers and discover more about every aspect of the role. These events are also great for learning about how to write a successful application.
Due to the current outbreak of coronavirus, all events are virtual, so students can even attend from the comfort of their home. The government also offers a service where applicants can talk to a training advisor, who will offer helpful tips and support throughout the whole process. One final piece of advice would be to read as much as possible, and learn more about other people’s stories, as this can be a fantastic way to gain insight and get an idea of what teaching may be like for you.
School Experience
Your third step should be to try and gain as much hands-on teaching experience as possible, as this will give valuable insight into a teacher’s day and help applicants decide whether this is the right career path. Visiting a school is also a great way to watch a range of lessons and age groups being taught. Having some school experience could strengthen your application and will also be a fantastic experience to talk about in an interview. To get a taster of school life, you can either directly approach schools yourself or use the government service to search for school experience within your area.
Ways To Train
Once an applicant has decided which age group and subject they would like to teach, the next step is to work out how you would like to train. You may have realised that completing a PGCE is not the only way to get into teaching. There are also many alternative routes, and each has its pros and cons. There are a number of factors to consider such as, how long you would like to study for, the location of the course, the end qualification you would like to receive, the eligibility criteria, and what funding you may need to cover living expenses and tuition fees. A PGCE can cost up to £9,250, and students will not earn a salary, however, there may be some funding available. The course typically takes around 1 academic year to complete, and you gain both a PGCE and QTS as end qualifications. PGCE programmes combine both academic studies with a minimum of 24 weeks spent training in schools. Although a PGCE is not a necessary requirement to teach in England, it is a great qualification to have if you would ever like to teach abroad.
Find And Apply For Your PGCE
Once you have decided which route is most suitable for you, and are sure which subject you would like to teach, then the next step is to search for a course using the government find postgraduate teacher training service. Applicants can search via a few different criteria, including by qualification, subject, location, provider, and study type. Once you have learnt more about the different courses available, it is a great idea to research the individual providers and find out which is the best option for you. To apply for a PGCE, you will need to have a written personal statement, 2 references, and GCSE and degree certificates.
After You Have Applied
After you have completed your application, you may then be contacted and asked to provide evidence of your degree certificate, your academic degree transcript and evidence of your qualifications. In the final step, you may be invited to an interview, which will be a chance for applicants to show that they have all the necessary qualities to be a great teacher and to prove they have relevant teaching skills.
So that’s it! Hopefully, you are now feeling more knowledgeable on the application process for a PGCE. We hope that everything is now looking a little bit clearer, and we would also like to wish you the very best of luck with your application. To find out more about teacher training courses, please have a look at the Get Into Teaching government advice for more information.
