Similarly to
other further/higher education degrees, to apply for a teacher-training course
you have to go through UCAS. (UCAS, 2017) provide a wide range of resources and
information on the types of requirements/qualifications you need to have to
apply. These qualifications include an undergraduate degree (or equivalent),
which was awarded by a UK higher education provider, a grade C (or equivalent)
in GCSE English and GCSE Mathematics. (GCSE Science is included in these
requirements, if you’re applying for a primary school teacher degree.) Finally,
you need to pass the professional skills tests in numeracy and literacy before
beginning your teacher-training course. Most programs advise you to apply
early, as the waiting list can be up to months long, and some program leaders
also take it upon themselves to note when you applied for your skills test,
which they do often take into consideration. There is also an SKE (subject
knowledge enhancement) course which you may be asked to take part in, to widen
your knowledge of your chosen subject to teach. Usually you are asked to take
this course if your undergraduate degree (or equivalent) was not in a subject
relating to the subject you’ve chose to teach, however if you want to widen
your knowledge for your benefit, you can optionally join these courses too.
There are
additional non-academic requirements, which include; prior work experience in a
school, either observing lessons and the general overview of school life,
admitting any criminal offences (if any) and also being medically fit. Some
programs may ask for a medical examination or test to be done, to provide
themselves with your medical report. Finally, as a condition to most offers
from providers, you need to hold a valid DBS (formerly known as a CRB) check,
to ensure that you can work with young people. Most non-academic requirements
are generally part of the terms and conditions of your offer from a provider
(if you were successful). Once you have obtained these
qualifications/requirements, UCAS then provides an application form, which you
have to complete, including your personal details as well as two references and
a personal statement. Like all applications into higher education, the
application process runs on a first-come-first-served basis, so it’s advised to
prepare these early on. Your personal statement needs to be a summary of why
you think you’d make a good teacher and express the passion you have towards
it, as well as your passion towards the subject and working with young people.
It’s also important to include your useful skills you have, which could be used
for teaching and include your previous work experience. A personal statement
should be four thousand characters long (including spaces) as well as it be
written in a personal format, rather than formal. The two referees you choose
for your application must be informed in advance to your application process.
You must have one professional/academic reference (for example; a previous and
recent lecturer) and another who can be a character reference for you. Both
referees must complete their references quickly for you to be able to send off
your application form (all of which, must be completed from start to finish).
It’s recommended on UCAS that you choose three programs to send your
application off too, whom will decide whether they want to give you an
interview/make an offer or not.
