After submitting your application
Shortlisting
Primary
This will be carried out by our admissions tutors, all of whom teach on the PGCE course. Lead Partner applications will be shortlisted by experts from the Lead Partner provider, supported by the University.
Secondary
This will be carried out by our subject specialist admissions tutors, all of whom teach on the PGCE course. Lead Partner applications will be shortlisted in partnership with experts from the Lead Partner provider.
Selection days
All those shortlisted for a PGCE place (including Lead Partners) are required to attend a University of Leicester or school-based selection day.
Lead Partner applicants are required to attend a school-based selection day. Depending on the provider, applicants may also need to take part in a second selection day at the University. These applicants will only proceed to the University selection day if successful within the school.
If you apply to more than one University of Leicester PGCE course, you will only need to attend one University selection day. For example, if you apply to a University-led PGCE programme as well as a Lead Partner partner programme which required a University selection day, you will attend a selection day at the school, and then only one at the University (for both your University-led and Lead Partner applications).
School-based selection days
It varies between schools, but your selection day will typically include opportunities to interact with pupils in a classroom setting, informal discussions with pupils and teachers, and a formal interview. This part of the selection process may not be completed remotely (via Teams, for example), so candidates must be willing to travel to attend.
To find out more about how each Lead Partner provider organises its selection days, we recommend that you contact them directly.
University of Leicester selection days
Primary and secondary interviews are held on different days. On secondary selection days, applicants from all subject specialisms are invited to attend together.
Our typical selection day includes the following:
- An introduction to the University of Leicester PGCE
- A group task and discussion
- An individual interview (secondary candidates are interviewed by subject specialists)
- A written task
- Documentation check
Assessment criteria
Our selectors are looking for evidence of the following:
- Depth and breadth of subject knowledge
- Ability to express yourself clearly and logically
- Capacity to reflect on your own educational experience
- Sense of responsibility and commitment to teaching
- Level of confidence, combined with a balanced outlook
- Ability to embrace and support diversity
- Creativity in thinking
- Content and structure of ideas
- Enthusiasm and energy
- Ability to engage and involve others
- Knowledge and understanding of topics discussed
- Sensitivity to and dialogue with others
- Awareness of the social and cultural importance of education, and current educational issues
- Knowledge of, and potential to relate to, primary/secondary age children
- Quality of written expression
Offers
Following the selection day we will let you know if you have:
- An unconditional offer
- A conditional offer: an offer of a place on the course, conditional on you meeting specific requirements which we will set out in our letter to you (e.g. providing evidence of your GCSE and degree results, )
- Been unsuccessful this time and not secured a place on the course
As well as receiving confirmation of the outcome of the selection day in writing from the University, you will be notified formally by DfE Apply.
Accepting an offer
If you would like to accept our offer, you should go to the DfE Apply website and select the relevant course as your firm choice. You should complete the documentation sent with your offer and return it to us as soon as possible.
Once we know you have accepted our offer, we will contact you about obtaining a DBS disclosure and completing all necessary safeguarding and fitness to teach checks. You must have these in place prior to the start of your course in September as this is a requirement set by the Department for Education.
All applicants must have completed a satisfactory enhanced DBS check (checked against the children’s barred list).If you live outside of the UK you will need to ensure that you arrive in the UK at least 4 weeks before the start of the course in order to complete your DBS in time. In order to apply for the DBS you will need proof of a UK address i.e bank letter, insurance document, utility bill.
We strongly recommend that all applicants apply for the DBS update service. There is an annual charge for this service however it will allow you to keep your DBS certificate up to date, ideal for when you are applying for teaching posts after completion of the course. Further information can be found on the GOV.uk website.
If you have not completed all checks by the start of the course, your application will be withdrawn for the current year, and you will be advised to complete a new application for the next cycle.
If you have spent three months or more abroad in the last five years you will also need to complete an overseas police check. In addition to this, successful applicants must also complete a suitability declaration form and an online health assessment to ensure they are fully supported on the course, and are deemed fit to teach.
We will send you more information about your course closer to the start date.
If you're unsure about anything or need advice on an application you have submitted, get in touch with our Primary and Secondary PGCE teams.