Initial Teacher Education Entry Requirements and Applications for Entry in Autumn 2012
Important information
Although we are accepting applications and interviewing candidates, we cannot make offers to candidates for PGCE programmes starting in September 2012 until the allocation of teacher training places for 2012/13 is confirmed to the sector by the Training & Development Agency for Schools (TDA). It is expected that the TDA will announce allocations and clarify arrangements for financial support early in the New Year.
We are looking for applicants who are well suited to the teaching profession both personally and academically.
Academic Qualifications
In order to apply for a PGCE programme you will need to have completed, or be in the final year of a UK degree (or an equivalent qualification). For Primary and Early Years programmes your degree can be in any subject. For Secondary programmes your degree normally needs to be in the subject you are applying to teach.
Before applying for a Secondary programme you will need five GCSE passes at grade C or above (or recognised equivalents) including English and mathematics. Before applying for a Primary and Early Years programme you will need five GCSE passes at grade C or above (or recognised equivalents) including English, mathematics and a science subject. In addition, for some Secondary programmes you are also required to have an A-level in the subject.
Equivalence Tests
If you do not have the required GCSE qualifications we will accept equivalency tests for all PGCE programmes.
Subject Knowledge Enhancement Courses
Entry to some PGCE programmes is conditional upon completion of a Subject Knowledge Enhancement Course. These courses run in the year prior to the PGCE programme and vary in length depending on the subject. They are designed to develop subject knowledge where your undergraduate degree is not fully relevant to the subject chosen. If you wish to be considered for one of these courses you should receive a referral from your PGCE awarding institution and submit an application to the Enhancement Course Administrator at Bath Spa University.
Telephone: +44 1225 876553.
International Applicants
Applicants with qualifications from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) should contact the National Academic Recognition Centre (NARIC) who will be able to give advice on how qualifications relate to the entry requirements, and may be able to provide certification where appropriate.
Telephone: +44 871 330 7033.
When you complete the GTTR application, please ensure that you state your actual qualification titles, not the UK qualifications you believe them to be equivalent to. Where English is not your first language you may offer IELTS 7.0 as an equivalent to GCSE English language.
Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
You will be given the necessary teaching and support to meet what is required of a newly qualified teacher (NQT). However, we expect a degree of ICT competence before you start the programme.
Personal Qualities and Experience,
In order to deal with the unique challenges of a career in teaching it is essential that you demonstrate a commitment to working with your chosen age group. You should have at least two weeks recent experience of working in a UK state school.
Interviews
If your application is selected you will be interviewed before you can be offered a place. It is your opportunity to share with us your personal qualities and experiences that will allow us to assess your suitability to teach and identify your personal training needs.
Primary and Early Years interviews are held between November and February/March and are conducted in groups. Secondary interviews are held regularly throughout the year and are made up of subject group and one-to-one interview sessions. You will be expected to carry out tasks in preparation for and during your interview. The interview will involve university tutors and school teachers.
Background Checks
All applicants are subject to a number of checks designed to maintain the integrity of the teaching profession. These will usually include:
- Identity confirmation
- Professional and character references
- Previous employment history
- Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check
- GTC suitability check
- Fitness to Teach check.
Equal Opportunities
We actively welcome applications from mature students, valuing their experience of life and of the workplace, as well as applicants straight from their first or higher degree. We particularly welcome applications from groups underrepresented in teaching, notably black and minority ethnic and disabled applicants. Male teachers are also in short supply, particularly in Primary schools and Early Years settings.
How to Apply
You can apply through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) from early October 2011 for courses that start in 2012. The GTTR charge a small application fee (£19 in 2011) and you can then complete the application online. Once the GTTR have processed your application, you will be able to check its progress and reply to offers online using the GTTR’s Track service. Contact the GTTR on:
Telephone: +44 8714 680469.
Applications to PGCE Primary and Early Years programmes should reach the GTTR before the 1st December 2011. Applications received after this date will be processed by the GTTR, but will only be forwarded to Bath Spa if there are still places available. These programmes tend to fill quickly, so you are advised to submit your application as early as possible.
The 1st December deadline does not apply to Secondary programmes. Bath Spa will receive applications made through the GTTR by 30th June 2012. There are a limited number of places for each programme, so you should apply as early as possible to give yourself the best chance of obtaining a place.
Applications received at the GTTR after 30 June 2012 will enter their Clearing system. Bath Spa will not automatically receive clearing applications from the GTTR, so you will need to contact us directly to find out if we still have vacancies and can consider your application.
If you have questions and concerns about how you should apply to us, and what happens after we receive your application, your queries, and hopefully a lot more, will be answered on our Your Application pages.