Secondary Education PGCE (all subjects) interview

The interview stage

Well done on getting an interview. Here’s what you need to know and do for the different stages in the interview process right until you join us in September.

Confirm your attendance

To confirm your attendance, please email the team or call 01484 478205

If you can’t attend this date or time or wish to withdraw your application, please let us know.

Essential information

The interview will be held in the Lockside building at the University. Details of how to find us can be found at the bottom of the page.
If you have any disability issues that may affect your performance in the interview, please let us know.
On arrival come to the Lockside building and report to the reception desk, located on the second floor, room LS2/15.
There is a cafe on the second floor of the building next to ours, the Haslett building, if you arrive early or want a snack or meal. Just ask at our reception desk and we'll give you directions.
The interview lasts approximately 3 hours.

Preparing for your interview

What will happen on the day

You will have an interview with a member of the course team

You will complete a written task and a short numeracy diagnostic test designed to evaluate your Assurance of Fundamental English and Maths Competencies

There will be a subject knowledge assessment based on aspects of the subject curriculum in school

Please prepare to teach a topic/concept of your choice;

This must relate to the National Curriculum or KS4 syllabus in your subject area. The teaching should not last more than 5 minutes and you will teach this to other candidates across a range of subject disciplines. There will be a whiteboard and pen available, and you can bring models or resources with you to support your teaching as needed. Please note, the use of PowerPoint (or equivalent) will not be available.

Please compile a short subject knowledge portfolio, which demonstrates your strengths in this area and that can be used as the basis of discussion in your interview. The portfolio should be concise, showing consideration of the key aspects of your subject knowledge that will support you in teaching your subject within the curriculum.

Your portfolio could include: (Annotated) examples of work/tasks from degree (or other), references and evidence of prior relevant experience

Grade certificates or other relevant qualifications (where applicable)

Video evidence of practical skills (where applicable)

Please check that you have everything with you for the interview

1. A copy of and the original certificates for your awards:

Please bring copies of these with you so we can keep a record. If the certificates are in a previous name, you need to bring evidence of the change (e.g. a marriage certificate)

· A first degree showing a grade of 2.2 or above

· GCSE or equivalent certificates, showing a grade of C/4 or above in English and Mathematics

· A level certificates (science only)

2. One form of photo ID

If you need more information about the selection process, please read the Selection Criteria so you can familiarise yourself with the skills, understanding and personal qualities we are looking for and how we assess them.

Should you have any queries, please email the team or call 01484 478205 .

What happens after the interview?

If you are successful then you can log onto the UCAS website to see if you have an offer of a place, which is usually with some conditions.

Conditions may include:

Complete disclosure and barring service (DBS) (this happens later on in the process and we'll contact you) and health check clearance.
Certificates of your awards/examinations you still have to complete.
Successful completion of a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course.

If you don’t get an offer of a place on the PGCE for secondary, perhaps you’d like to consider a teacher training course in the lifelong learning sector. Here’s a link to the PGCE full-time lifelong learning sector course

What happens until the course starts?

If you have a confirmed offer, you will be given access to a subject knowledge audit document that will support you in developing your subject knowledge as necessary. You will also be invited to any pre-induction events.

From early summer, we’ll then send you a link to your own personal pre-enrolment web site where we’ll let you know term dates, where you need to be on the first day and you can confirm your personal details before you formally enrol at the University.

Please remember if you have any queries at any time to contact us by emailing the team or calling 01484 478205

Additional information and support

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

You’ll need to return to the University to complete the DBS application form

Understanding the National Curriculum

It would be useful if you considered the curriculum for your subject area.

Contact us

School of Education and Professional Development
University of Huddersfield
Queensgate
Huddersfield
HD1 3DH

Tel. +44 (0)1484 478249

Email. sepd@hud.ac.uk

How to find us

For directions to the University campus see Campus maps and Directions

On Campus

Our School is based in the Lockside building, number 27 on the Campus map