PGCE (Incorporating the Diploma in Teaching) interviews

Discover all the information you need to prepare for your PGCE or Cert Ed interview
Maths teaching session
This page contains all of the information to prepare you for interview when applying for one of our PGCE Further Education programmes.
Many of the programmes require specific pre-work; please ensure you read the information included within all of the tabs below to fully prepare for your interview.
Please note that applicant interviews for 2025 entry will take place through Zoom or face to face meetings when possible.
If you have any queries regarding your interview booking, please contact our Course Enquiries and Interviews Team at interviewtostudy@plymouth.ac.uk.
In addition, our Admissions Team is here to support you and answer any questions you may have regarding your application. Drop us an email at applications@plymouth.ac.uk.
Alternatively, call the Student Recruitment and Admissions Department to talk to either team: +44 1752 585858.

Declaration Forms

Ahead of your interview, please ensure that you have completed and returned the three Declaration Forms found below. Failure to do so may result in delays in the processing of your application.
Please complete these forms in full before your chosen interview date and return to applications@plymouth.ac.uk.

Supporting Documents

Additionally, we would prefer to receive copies of your certificates and transcripts for the qualifications listed as completed on your application ahead of your interview. These can be submitted as clear photographs or scanned documents in JPEG or PDF format by emailing applications@plymouth.ac.uk.
Please note: if you have been successful in your application, we will ask you to submit your original documents when you start your course.
Please see the Interview pre-work tab for additional information on the pre-work that is specific to your specialism of interest. If you have applied for more than one specialism, please complete the pre-work for all the specialisms for which you have submitted an application.
  • On the day of your Zoom interview, you must present a form of photo ID. Examples of photo ID include your passport; driving licence; bus pass; school/college ID.
  • To prepare for your interview we recommend thinking about your motivations and interests that influenced your choice to apply to this particular course.
  • Current students have said they found it useful to make sure they had knowledge of some of the current and topical issues in the news.

Disability and dyslexia advice and support

We talk to students about disability support and any reasonable adjustments available for their programme of study. A disability can be a mental health condition, dyslexia or any other specific learning difficulty, autism, or long term medical condition – such as epilepsy or diabetes.
If you have a disability, please ensure you have read the information on our Disability Services webpage. Please scroll down to the bottom of the page and open the Disability disclosure form.
If you require any adjustments for your interview, please email admissions@plymouth.ac.ukbefore your interview date.
If you are successful at interview, as part of your offer you will be required to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure Check and a Fit2teach Occupational Health Clearance Check.
If you do not pass these checks satisfactorily, you will not be able to complete a course with us.
Further details on these are below.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure
Our courses require students to work in positions requiring public trust. In order to ensure public protection and safety, all applicants will be asked to declare any convictions or cautions against them, as well as any pending prosecutions. This can be done on the UCAS application form.
Enhanced disclosures will be made on all students when they hold conditional firm or unconditional firm status. You will be sent details of how to complete the check online as part of your offer. This process must be completed even if a check has recently been completed for another organisation. All information is treated in the utmost confidence.
A disclosure which contains details of an offence does not automatically preclude study on one of our courses. We operate a Professional Issues Committee which will consider each case individually and confidentially. In all instances, the committee is assessing whether the disclosure would prevent an applicant from going on placement or obtaining employment on graduation.
Occupational health clearance (Fit2teach)
Applicants are required to undergo a health assessment prior to the start of their course. This is to ensure that they are physically and mentally suited to a career in education. If you have any concerns about your medical suitability, you are advised to discuss this with your GP.
The assessment questionnaire will be sent by email and forms the basis of the health screening, so it is vital that all questions are answered as fully and honestly as possible.
Information for students who have previously resided outside the UK as an adult (i.e., from age 18 or over)
If you have previously resided outside the UK (from age 18 or over) it is your responsibility to obtain a relevant 'certificate of good character' (or similar) from the country concerned. For information about applying for such certificates, please consult the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.
The University cannot apply for these certificates on your behalf or pay for the costs involved. This process can take some time and you are strongly advised to apply at the earliest opportunity.
Students who have previously resided abroad will be unable to start student placements without this certificate.
How soon will I hear after interview?
We aim to let you know within ten working days of the interview.
What happens after my interview?
If successful at your initial interview with the PGCE team, you will be contacted to arrange a placement interview at a local college. In preparation for this, you should research the programmes on offer at the college and identify those which you have the necessary subject specialist knowledge to teach. This will help you to demonstrate your potential to undertake an initial teacher training placement at the college.
Accommodation
If you are offered a place on the programme, you may need accommodation while in Plymouth. The University offers halls and other forms of accommodation for postgraduate students. However, you may prefer to arrange your accommodation in shared housing with other PGCE students.
The benefits of this are:
  • you will all have similar workloads
  • you may be able to share transport to college or school placements
  • you will be able to talk about your experiences and share knowledge.
Any questions you have regarding accommodation should be directed to our accommodation office. Further information and contact details.
What are the costs for placements
Should students incur travel costs in order to arrive and depart their placement at the appropriate times and their travel costs exceed their normal commute to campus from their term-time address, the University provides funds early in the placement. Additionally, if the commute to the placement is deemed to exceed that which would be considered practical, students may be provided with an allowance for accommodation. The exact figures will be made available during the induction week.
Please note that this policy is currently under review and may be discontinued.
Can I organise my own teaching placement?
No; we organise your placements in our partner colleges and other teaching organisations. If you have specific needs and/or caring responsibilities, you are advised to discuss these with the placements team and your professional tutor at the start of the course and they will be taken into consideration.
Funding and finance
Currently PGCE students are entitled to apply for a student loan/grant in the same way as you would for a first degree to cover student fees and living costs while on the course. Further information regarding our tuition fees and bursaries, including contact details for our Student Funding Unit. Information about how to apply for government help with paying your fees is available at www.gov.uk/studentfinance.

Message from the Programme Leader

Congratulations on being invited to interview for our PGCE/Cert Ed (Incorporating the Diploma in Teaching) programme. On this page we have provided information regarding the format of the Zoom interview. The interview is designed to ensure that:
  • equality of opportunity is promoted and discrimination avoided
  • the nature and atmosphere of the interviews and discussions reflect the programme ethos and aims.
The interview is an opportunity for us to see if you have the potential to undertake an Initial Teacher Education course. I look forward to meeting you at your interview and if you should need any help or assistance please contact us.
Best wishes,