Frequently Asked Questions from PGCE Primary Applicants
Closing dates
The deadline for early applications is usually 1st December in the year preceding the proposed academic year of entry. Applications received after this date will still be considered provided that the course still has vacancies.
Vacancy information
All vacancy information is correct on GTTR, any changes to vacancy information will be updated on GTTR immediately (please do not contact the University to verify this).
Entry requirements
- GCSE English Language at Grade C or above (or equivalent)
- GCSE Maths at Grade C or above (or equivalent)
- GCSE Science at Grade C or above (or equivalent)
This is a basic requirement for entry into initial teacher training set by the Training and Development Agency, therefore applicants without the above qualifications (or appropriate equivalent qualifications) cannot be considered for entry under any circumstances.
Applicants must have completed and obtained GCSE grades (or appropriate equivalent qualifications) at the time of making an application.
Candidates with GCSE single science subjects will be considered, as will candidates with a GCSE in Human Biology.
- Two A-levels at Grade C or above in national curriculum subjects - preferably in either English, maths or science subjects.
Applicants must have completed and obtained A-level grades (or appropriate equivalent qualifications) at the time of making an application.
- A minimum 2:1 honours degree with 50% content in a national curriculum subject, applicants holding a 2:2 honours degree will be considered if the degree contains 50% content in English, maths or science (biology, chemistry or physics based).
- A minimum of five days recent experience (within the last three years) observing primary school teaching in a UK state primary school.
Applicants can apply without this experience, but must arrange to complete this prior to attending interview. Applicants must clearly state planned dates on the GTTR form.
Where possible, applicants must complete experience in a UK state primary school. Those attending for interview having gained experience in private or non-UK school are likely to be disadvantaged at interview stage.
National curriculum subject
- English
- Maths
- Science
- Design and Technology
- Information and Communication Technology
- History
- Geography
- Modern Foreign Languages
- Art & Design
- Music
- Physical Education
For further information about national curriculum subjects please see the following website www.nc.uk.net .
Applicants with English, maths and science degrees will be looked at more favourably.
In some cases, applicants with non-NC degrees (e.g. Psychology) may be considered, however this will be based on an individual assessment by the Admissions panel of the applicant's background and performance in other national curriculum subjects and the overall quality of the application.
Equivalency tests
The University does not currently offer equivalency tests for GCSE English Language, GCSE Maths or GCSE Science. The University does not accept equivalency tests taken at other institutions for entry onto the PGCE Primary course.
UK equivalent qualifications
We welcome applications from applicants who have alternative qualifications, provided they can demonstrate that the qualification is equivalent to the standard GCSE and/or A-level requirements in terms of subject content covered, breadth and depth; and provided that the grade achieved is comparable.
Unfortunately we do not accept Adult Numeracy Level 2 as equivalent to GCSE Maths.
Applicants with Access qualifications should have passed a QAA recognised Access qualification and studied at least 2 units (at Level 3) in national curriculum subjects.
Overseas applicants
Applicants with qualifications from abroad should contact UK NARIC, prior to making an application, to ensure that their qualifications are equivalent and fit the entry requirements, please see www.naric.org.uk for further details. Please also see the following section of the Universitys website for further useful information relating to specific countries www.manchester.ac.uk/international/country/ .
English Language requirements
International applicants should have one of the following qualifications:
- European Baccalaureate - pass in English as a mother tongue or English as a foreign language;
- International Baccalaureate - higher or subsidiary level in English language at grade 4 or above;
- University of London Examinations and Assessment Council - Certificate of attainment in English at level 4 or above;
- University of Cambridge English for speakers of other languages - Business English Certificate (higher); Certificate of English language skills (higher); International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at grade of 6.0 overall with no less than 6 in the written English component;
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a requirement of 237 Computer-based, 575 Paper-based or 92 Internet-based.
Assessment Centre dates
Assessment centres take place in November, December, January and early February each year. Applicants must be available to attend one assessment centre during this time period. Due to the nature of the assessment process we cannot offer telephone interviews.
Clearing
Any vacancies that arise in clearing will be advertised via GTTR immediately. Please see www.gttr.ac.uk for details of how to make an application in clearing.
Deferred applicants
We do not normally offer interviews to applicants wishing to defer, unless there are exceptional circumstances in which an applicant is not physically able to attend an assessment centre in the appropriate admissions cycle, e.g. an applicant will be out of the country.
Finding out an initial decision on your application
Please allow 7 - 10 working days for an initial decision regarding your application. Decisions will be processed initially on GTTR, and can be traced using the 'Track' system. We will then inform applicants of a decision in writing shortly after that.
Feedback on an unsuccessful application
The University will write to all unsuccessful applicants informing them of the basis for the decision. If, having received their feedback letter, an applicant would like to seek further clarification of a decision or would like to request that their application be reconsidered, they should email their request to the PGCE Office in the first instance at pgce@manchester.ac.uk and the query will be passed to the Admissions panel.
Fees and funding
UK/EU PGCE trainees are liable to pay tuition fees of £3,225* and £10,800* for overseas trainess for the academic year 2008/09. This should either be paid in full at registration or in three instalments by direct debit. Please see the following section of our website for more detailed information www.manchester.ac.uk/ssc .
Students in England may be eligible for a non-means tested grant of £1,106* and to apply for an additional means-tested grant of £1,260*. Students need to 'opt-in' to receive the non-means tested grant of £1,106* and should contact Student Finance England for advice on how to apply. Students are advised to do this as early as possible after receiving an offer of a place to ensure that your payment comes through for the start of term as the processing of applications at some authorities can take several weeks at peak times.
Students from the European Union can access information on funding arrangements at www.direct.gov.uk .
PGCE Primary trainees who are classed as home or EU trainees are eligible for a tax-free training salary of £4,000**. Bursaries are paid in 9 monthly instalments over the duration of the PGCE course. Trainees do not need to apply or 'opt in' to receive the bursary and this will come automatically once a trainee has fully registered with the University. Please see the Training and Development Agency website for further information about bursaries (www.tda.gov.uk).
*figures subject to change for 2010/11 entry
**figures correct for 2010/11 entry