PGCE Secondary Modern Languages
Fees and bursaries
All PGCE trainees will be liable for the new variable fees. The 2008 FT onsite fee is £3,145 for home/EU students and £12,100* for international students. All PGCE students may, however, be eligible for a £1,230 non-means tested grant, plus a further means-tested £1,535 grant from the Local Authorities, in addition to the TDA bursaries.
All PGCE Modern Languages trainees (with UK/EU citizenship) normally receive a training bursary of £9,000. You may also be eligible for a 'Golden Hello' on becoming a teacher of £2,500.
Entry requirements
All applicants require a strong academic record at A level or equivalent and at degree level including a Lower Second class honours degree or above. If you are not a native speaker of the language you are proposing to teach (French, German or Spanish), approximately 50% or more of the degree content should have focused on the first language that you are offering to teach. All applicants must also hold qualifications in English language and mathematics at GCSE grade C or above, or hold equivalent qualifications in these subjects. Students whose first language is not English require IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 650 paper based or 280 computer based, with 4.5 in Test of Written English.
You should also normally have a second language (French, German or Spanish). Your knowledge of this second language does not need to be advanced - beginners' level will suffice. You do not need to have studied this language at degree level.
For details of recommended, funded intensive courses in French and German designed to support you to achieve sufficient competence in the language to enable you to teach accurately and confidently at secondary level to at least key stage 3 (ages 11-14), please view French and German extension course information via the links below:
French
http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/71153.htm
German
http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/62219.htm
The above courses are also available ab initio.
Previous teaching experience is not required but prior experience of working with young people in schools and other settings will be considered as part of the selection process. All applicants are strongly encouraged to spend some time (at least 2 days) in a secondary school or sixth form college prior to their interview. You will also be asked to complete an application to the CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) for enhanced disclosure. You will have to satisfy certain health requirements.
Application requirements
To apply for a PGCE course at the University of Manchester you must apply through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR). Please visit the GTTR website for further details (www.gttr.ac.uk). Applications or CVs sent directly to the University will not be considered.
For support with your application, please see:
The qualities we are looking for are
a) the potential to make a first rate teacher
b) a good academic record in a related subject
c) a keen interest in your subjects
d) involvement with young people or adults in the community
e) experience of observing teachers in schools or colleges
f) an ability to communicate effectively
g) adeptness in numeracy and literacy skills
h) well written personal statement
i) supportive reference
Fair admissions
The University is committed to providing a fair admissions system, where applicants who are equally likely to succeed are equally likely to be offered a place on our courses. The University is committed to providing a high level of applicant care and aims to ensure that decisions are made without undue delay.
Applicants who have additional support needs
Applications are welcome from people with additional support needs, and the University operates procedures to ensure that all applications will be considered appropriately, and that applicants are provided with appropriate support for the application process and subsequent study.
The interview day
A talk will be given outlining both the school and University based elements of the course. University tutors and school based mentors are involved in our selection process and candidates will undergo the following interview procedure:
A basic numeracy and literacy test (approximately 30 mins)
A short teaching task
A written task in each of the languages you are offering to teach. You will also be required to take part in a short conversation in the target language(s) during your interview
An individual interview based upon a structured set of questions to identify your suitability for and commitment to teaching
Candidates will normally be notified of the outcome of their interview within 10 working days.