BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS interview information and task

All interviews will take place online on Microsoft Teams. Prior to your appointment please install the Microsoft Teams app and see further instructions provided here. Your booking confirmation and reminders include the link to join your interview.

Please ensure you have a form of photo identification at your interview, for example passport or driving licence (a provisional is also acceptable) and that you have a device you are confident that you can access Microsoft Teams on.

You will also need your UCAS ID number ready at the start of your interview to give to the interviewer when showing your photo identification.

Please read the other information tabs on this webpage and the interview booklet in full, to ensure you are fully prepared for the interview.

Please note:
If you are successful, a condition of your offer will be to provide clear and legible copies/pictures of your GCSE English Language, Mathematics and Science certificates grade 4 or above (or accepted equivalent qualifications).

You will be emailed with a link to upload these to us once your offer has been processed. If you believe you hold an equivalent qualification, please ensure you email the Admissions Team to ensure that we accept it.

If you do not have GCSEs but hold equivalent qualifications, we will need to verify this prior to interview. It is vital we confirm that your qualification is equivalent prior to your interview. We do not accept certain Level 2 qualifications as equivalent.

For your individual interview your name must be visible, and your camera turned on. You must also have your photo identification and UCAS ID number available for the start of your interview.

There are two elements to the interview:

• Prepared interview tasks
• Interview

We strongly recommend all applicants prepare before interview.

The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education makes some key suggestions about how to choose quality books to use in the classroom with young readers.

These include:

• use books written by use a range of authors which represent our diverse society. We should not rely on common texts or our own childhood favourites (however good these might be!),
• choose books with quality artwork which either complement or extend the story,
• when selecting information books, select texts that present information in a variety of interesting ways,
• over time, select a range of books that reflect diversity in all ways – race, heritage, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic class, status, religion and culture. Allow children to see themselves reflected in the books at times, and through other books, to see into other worlds,
• select books that draw children in - that have a rich plot line – that make them care what is happening. Books should be emotionally appealing,
• select books with rich language.

Task one

With reference to The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education criteria above, select a text which represents quality children’s literature.

Prepare a section of the book to read aloud as if reading to children (up to a minute).

Task two

Be prepared to explain why you chose this children’s text with reference to The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education criteria.

You will be interviewed individually by a member of LJMU Primary team.

Each candidate is asked the same questions. We are seeking to find out why you want to teach and what qualities you feel you have to offer. We will also explore work you have undertaken in primary schools and how this has informed your understanding of the role of the Primary teacher.

Each interview will last approximately 20 minutes.

All judgements of the individual interview will be based on the following criteria:

• communication skills, expressing views and values clearly,
• academic ability and potential with a realistic view of what the Primary Education programme will entail,
• awareness that effective teaching involves creating an inclusive environment with high expectations for all pupils regardless of background or prior attainment,
• recognising the importance of secure subject knowledge across the range of primary subjects, for effective teaching. This includes an awareness of relevant curriculum frameworks and recognition of the importance of subject knowledge,
• a commitment to developing a knowledge of the breadth of children’s literature. Reflecting on own literacy development to make connections to children’s learning,
• recognising that effective lessons require careful planning and a considered structure,
• awareness that pupils have different learning needs and that teachers must adapt their approach while maintaining high expectations,
• recognising that creating positive behaviours for learning creates the foundation for an inclusive and effective classroom culture,
• valuing regular feedback and recognising that continuous improvement is a core aspect of the teaching profession,
• an understanding that teachers have professional duties and responsibilities set out by statutory frameworks. This includes recognising the fundamental value of professional collaboration and the need for teachers to work with other professionals and parents/carers.

Please make sure that:

• any equivalent qualifications are checked prior to you attending interview by emailing a copy of them to the Admissions Team and quoting the course you have applied for and your application number
• you have access to Microsoft Teams, and it is set up on your device, with your full name visible
• you are in a suitable, quiet space and will not be interrupted
• your device is charged, and power supply is available on the day
• you have good Wi-Fi and internet connection
• you have your photographic identification ready
• you have your UCAS ID number ready
• you have prepared your book task for the individual interview outlined above

Following your interview, we will make a decision as soon as possible as to whether we can offer you a place on the course.

If you are successful after interview, we will require a copy of your GCSE English Language, Mathematics and Science certificates and any Level 3 qualifications you have already achieved (for example A-Levels, BTEC, etcetera). You do not need to provide these prior to interview.

Our overall decision on your application is based on all the elements of the assessment process. We are looking for a balance of knowledge, skills, experience, and commitment, which will give us the confidence that you have the potential to complete the course and progress to a successful career in teaching.

Our Admissions Team will update UCAS on our decision which you will be able to access on your UCAS Hub. We will make a decision in as timely fashion as possible after interview, usually within 2 or 3 days working days.

Any offer is usually conditional on your achievement of specified entry requirements. You should complete the conditions by the given deadlines outlined on UCAS or this may result in your application being withdrawn.

Your offer will include:

• achieving the required UCAS tariff points for the course. If you have already achieved sufficient academic grades, we will require evidence of these,

• copies of your GCSE English Language, Mathematics and Science certificates or equivalent (you must check any equivalence with us prior to attending interview as not all are acceptable for teacher training courses),

• obtaining a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (If you are part of the DBS Update Service and have a DBS Enhanced certificate working with children, we can accept this if you send us a copy to verify. Alternatively, LJMU will contact you separately once you have made LJMU your Firm choice),

• successful completion of Medical Clearance process (LJMU will contact you separately once you have made LJMU your Firm choice).

Please note:
You will be contacted following any offer being made with how and when this information will be required for completion and how to send this information to LJMU.

Some conditions can only be moved forward once you have made your firm decision to study at LJMU.

If you are successful at gaining a place on one of our teacher training courses, the receipt of an Enhanced DBS (formerly CRB) will be a condition of offer for your course. The DBS Check will be undertaken by the University and will be sent to you from May 2026 onwards.

Please note:
This is a multi-stage process that can take several weeks/months, so we advise you to engage with this process as soon as you receive the invite to complete the DBS to ensure that you can enrol and start on the programme.

All applicants for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) programmes must satisfy the Government requirements regarding ‘Fitness to Teach’. You will need to complete a Health questionnaire, which we will send to you. The LJMU Occupational Health Unit will process your form and is responsible for confirming that you are cleared for practice.

On occasion this may involve an appointment with the Occupational Health Unit, which you would be required to attend.

There will be opportunities to book onto a LJMU Campus Tour to see the LJMU facilities at any stage of your application and information on how to book on will be available via your LJMU Applicant hub.

LJMU Admissions team

If you have any questions, please contact us:

• Email: applicantsupport@ljmu.ac.uk

• Telephone: 0151 231 2777

Accommodation

If you require accommodation during your time with LJMU (once an offer is made and you have accepted it), please contact our Accommodation Office:

• Email: accommodation@ljmu.ac.uk

• Telephone: 0151 231 4166

Student Advice team

LJMU employs staff that can offer advice and support to students and prospective students on a range of issues such as student funding and support for students with a disability, this includes any support you may need as part of the interview process.

Disability

• Email: disability@ljmu.ac.uk

• Telephone: 0151 231 3164

Funding and money advice

• Email: moneyadvice@ljmu.ac.uk

• Telephone: 0151 231 3153