PGCE Primary entry requirements

Essentials

  • You will need to be able to provide certificated evidence of an undergraduate honours degree or an approved equivalent qualification, preferably 2:2 or above and awarded in the UK.
  • It is a requirement that all those training to teach must have achieved a grade 4 (C) or above in mathematics, English Language and a science subject (or approved equivalents). Please note that we will only consider you if you have already achieved one out of the three GCSEs (or approved equivalents) prior to submitting your application.
  • Roehampton does not offer GCSE equivalency tests. We accept the equivalency tests in science (the single Science Biology and the combined), mathematics and English offered by Equivalency Testing or by A Star Equivalency. Please contact them directly via their websites.
  • A period of school observation before interview is not a requirement. However, we do recommend this if you have the opportunity as it can help you develop your understanding of teaching and learning. Carefully observe how the teacher engages with the children and the different ways they learn. If you cannot arrange this experience, we have some materials on our Welcome Pages to support your pre-course development which will be sent to you if you gain and accept a place on the course.
  • For your references, you should approach people who can comment on your character and suitability to enter the teaching profession. The first reference should be from the school in which you undertook your experience. The second reference must be academic if applicants have graduated within the last 5 years; if more than 5 years ago, it can be from an employer or professional colleague but not a family member or friend.
  • You must ask referees to include a statement in the reference which asks if they have any knowledge whether or not you are suitable to be working with children. If they know of no reason why you should not be working with children please ask them to write, ‘I know of no reason why [insert name] cannot work with children.’

Desirable

  • You should try and gain some broader experience of working with children of the relevant age phase, including those from diverse cultures and backgrounds. This includes groups such as brownies, scouts, sports clubs, as well as non-UK and private school experience.

Non-UK qualifications
We accept a range of overseas qualifications where they can be shown to be equivalent to English qualifications. Please consult The National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC) for advice on equivalencies.

If you hold non-UK qualifications please send in clear scanned copies of your school and degree level qualifications - with their NARIC translations if applicable - to teachertraining@roehampton.ac.uk. This will allow us to process your UCAS application as quickly as possible and ensure that you are eligible for the programme. We welcome PGCE applications from EU and overseas students, but please note that overseas Tier 4 students are not eligible to apply for the PGCE School Direct route.

Numeracy and English language testing
Applicants for teacher training courses are no longer required to take the government's skills tests in numeracy and English. Instead, the Department for Education has given the responsibility to providers to ensure that trainee teachers have appropriate proficiency in English and mathematics before they can be awarded Qualified Teacher Status at the end of the course. As part of the interview process these skills will be audited to help us ascertain candidates' strengths and/or areas for development. We will be supporting our students to reach the fundamental skills in English and mathematics as required. 

INTERVIEW INFORMATION
The current situation means that we are making some adjustments to our interview processes. For the time being interviews will be conducted online. Our interview processes are designed with equality and diversity in mind and adhere to the Equality Act of 2010 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act of 2001. The interviewers are welcoming and supportive and try to put candidates at their ease as much as possible.
The interview will include the following elements:

  • A personal interview with one or more tutors designed to see if you are resilient, reflective, resourceful and respectful (teaching is a profession where respect for pupils and colleagues is essential). It is helpful to have an understanding of current affairs in relation to teaching.
  • A group task designed to see how you interact with other people.
  • Mathematics and English tasks designed to see what support and development you might need to be able to demonstrate fundamental skills in these important areas by the end of the course if you are offered and accept a place on the course.

Please note that online interviews will be recorded.

How and when to apply

If you wish to start your PGCE in September 2023 you can submit your application on the Department for Education's application page.  Please note that UCAS no longer handles applications for teacher training.  A lot of useful information about applying is also available on the Get Into Teaching website. 

Course Codes

Whilst the PGCE Primary programme covers the 3-11 age phase, you need to choose a specialism pathway for your training and your two assessed placements will be in the chosen specialism age phases.

For Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 (EYFS/KS1) - the course code is X121.
For Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 (KS1/KS2) - the course code is 2F4W.

For further advice on entry requirements or applications, please call our Admissions Team on: 020 8392 3314.