PGCE Secondary entry requirements

  • You must hold and be able to provide certificated evidence of having an undergraduate degree conferred by a United Kingdom higher education institution or an equivalent qualification. Most successful applicants will have a 2:2 degree classification or better.
  • School observation before interview is not a requirement. Many applicants do find observation before interview can be very helpful, however. Candidates should note that school placements will be in local state secondary schools, so observational experience outside of this sector might not provide an adequate understanding of the rewards and challenges presented to teachers in this sector. Any observational experience – in either the state or independent sector – should provide an opportunity to gain insight into teaching, learning and reflection upon the professional responsibilities of teachers. Candidates are invited to contact subject tutors for advice by email if they have any uncertainties about the relevance of observation undertaken.
  • Relevant experience includes work with children or young people, or work developing your knowledge, skills and experience relevant to the subject you wish to teach. You may have continued to develop your expertise in computing or engineering, for example, since completing a first degree. The degree or graduate-equivalent qualification shown on your application should relate to the needs of the course and the secondary subject specialism applied for.
  • You must have at least a grade 4 (C) or above in both mathematics and English Language at GCSE, or approved equivalents. While applicants without one or both of these GCSEs (or approved equivalents) will be considered for interview, priority is given to those candidates who have already met this requirement. If you do not currently hold a GCSE grade 4 (C) or above in mathematics and English Language, please note that we accept the equivalency tests in both mathematics and English offered by Equivalency Testing. Please contact them directly via their website.
  • You must have a broad-based educational background and be able to read effectively and communicate clearly in standard English.
  • Your application will require details of two referees. If candidates have studied within the last 5 years, an academic reference must be provided. Ideally, candidates should choose someone who can comment on the candidate's character and suitability to enter the teaching profession. The other reference should be a school or employer's reference. Please be aware that if references are not appropriate this may delay the processing of your application.
  • You must ask referees to include a statement in the reference which asks if they have any knowledge as to whether or not you are suitable to work 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.’
  • Legal requirements: All places on the PGCE are subject to satisfactory health and criminal convictions assessments. Applicants will be required to complete an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and obtain a registration number from the Independent Safeguarding Authority. The University of Roehampton is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff, students and trainees to share this commitment. 

APPLYING
If you wish to start your PGCE in September 2024 you can submit your application via the Department for Education's website.  Please note that UCAS no longer handles applications for postgraduate teacher training. 

Lots of useful information about applying can also be found on the Get Into Teaching website.

Interview Information
All our 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:

  • An initial group interview held with other candidates from mixed subject backgrounds. These are held with a range of subject tutors. As part of the group interview you will be asked to introduce yourself, discuss an element of teaching you have seen or experienced, complete a in-box task with the other candidates and complete the written task.
  • If you are successful in the group interview you will be informed and asked to attend a solo interview with the subject tutor either the same day or later in the same week.

Please note that online interviews will be recorded for Quality Assurance and Safeguarding purposes.

Non-UK qualifications
We accept a range of overseas qualifications where they can be shown to be equivalent to English qualifications. Please consult the UK national agency for international qualifications and skills (UK ENIC).

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. 

For further entry requirements, please ensure you visit the relevant specialism page: