PGCE Secondary interview information and tasks

At LJMU, we are committed to developing exceptional teachers who will inspire and educate future generations. Our programme combines rigorous academic study with extensive practical experience through our strong partnerships with schools across Greater Merseyside.

What sets us apart

You will learn from experienced teacher educators who bring both academic expertise and current classroom insight to your education and training. Our focus is on developing teachers who are:

• Inclusive in their practice
• Reflective professionals
• Resilient and adaptable
• Ready to make a genuine impact

Our student teachers consistently excel, with many securing positions in our partner schools and beyond. Schools throughout our partnership actively seek our graduates, recognising their strong preparation and professional readiness.

Next steps

We look forward to meeting you at interview and discussing your journey into teaching.

If you receive an offer to study with us, please remember that our programme is full-time and commences on Monday 7 September 2026.

For any questions about the interview process or studying at LJMU, please email our Admissions Team.

Your interview day

Important information:
This page provides comprehensive guidance for your interview day including interview structure and preparation tasks. Understanding these requirements will help you effectively prepare for your interview.

While our selection process is thorough, please approach it with confidence, we are a supportive community invested in your success.

Interviews are conducted virtually via Microsoft Teams and typically last 30 minutes. Interviews for Art and Design, Design and Technology and Music may last up to 45 minutes. Your booking confirmation contains the Teams link for your scheduled interview time.

Before your interview, ensure you have:

• Photo identification (passport, driving licence or provisional licence)
• A reliable device with Microsoft Teams access
• Working camera and microphone
• Your full name displayed in Teams settings

You should also:

• join the Teams meeting 5 minutes before your scheduled time,
• have your photo ID ready to present at the start,
• ensure your camera remains on throughout the interview.

Post-interview requirements

Successful candidates will receive a conditional offer requiring:

• clear copies of GCSE English Language and Mathematics certificates (or equivalent),
• two references (guidance for references),
• honours degree certificate (if already completed).

You will receive upload instructions via email once your offer is processed.

Important: 
If you hold equivalent qualifications to GCSE requirements, contact the LJMU Admissions Team before your interview to confirm acceptability.

Your interview with the LJMU Secondary team will evaluate your readiness for teacher training across four key areas:

Communication and professional expression

• Clarity of verbal communication
• Can you explain ideas clearly and concisely?
• Professional language use
• Do you communicate appropriately for educational settings?
• Ability to adapt explanations
• Can you make complex concepts accessible?

Personal qualities for teaching

• Resilience under pressure
• How do you respond to challenges and setbacks?
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Can you adjust your approach when needed?
• Encountering challenges
• Do you view difficulties as learning opportunities?

Interpersonal skills and self-awareness

• Professional relationships
• How effectively do you interact with others?
• Reflective capacity
• Can you evaluate your own experiences and learn from this?
• Emotional intelligence
• Do you understand your impact on others?
• Empathy for learners
• Can you understand young people's perspectives and needs?

Subject expertise and teaching potential

• Depth of subject knowledge
• Do you understand your subject beyond surface level?
• Ability to inspire learning
• Can you convey enthusiasm and make your subject engaging?

Part one and two

The interview will consist of two parts:

• Questions exploring your teaching motivations, relevant experiences, subject knowledge and understanding of the profession
• A subject specific task you are asked to prepare in advance. This might be a presentation or to prepare for a discussion about a curriculum topic. Please check your subject below for further details.

Art and Design

Be prepared to present your portfolio to the interviewer (10 minutes). Select one piece from your portfolio and be prepared to discuss how this could influence your planning of a project for Year 7 (5 minutes).

You should consider what pupils need to know before the project and any misconceptions they might have or may develop as the project develops. 

Biology

Be prepared to discuss how you would introduce the concept of particle theory to a group of Year 7 pupils. You should consider what the pupils need to know before and any misconceptions they might have or develop.

Chemistry

Be prepared to discuss how you would introduce the concept of particle theory to a group of Year 7 pupils. You should consider what the pupils need to know before and any misconceptions they might have or develop.

Computer Science

Be prepared to discuss how you would introduce the concept of computational thinking to a group of Year 7 pupils. You should consider what the pupils need to know before and any misconceptions they might have or develop.

Dance

Be prepared to discuss how you would introduce the concept of the five basic actions in dance to a group of Year 7 pupils. You should consider what the pupils need to know before and any misconceptions they might have or develop.

Design and Technology

Be prepared to present your portfolio to the interviewer (10 minutes). Select one piece from your portfolio and be prepared to discuss how this could influence your planning of a project for Year 7 (5 minutes).

You should consider what pupils need to know before the project and any misconceptions they might have or may develop as the project develops.

Drama

Be prepared to discuss how you would introduce characterisation in drama to Year 7 pupils. You should consider what possible prior knowledge pupils could bring and how you might build on this knowledge.

English

Be prepared to discuss how you will teach the difference between ‘imply’ and ‘infer’ to a group of Year 7 pupils. You should consider what the pupils need to know before and any misconceptions they might have or develop.

Geography

Be prepared to discuss how you will teach the features of glacial landscapes to a group of Year 7 pupils. You should consider what the pupils need to know before and any misconceptions they might have or develop.

History

Be prepared to discuss how you would introduce the concept of interpreting source evidence to a group of Year 7 pupils. You should consider what the pupils need to know before and any misconceptions they might have or develop.

Mathematics

Be prepared to discuss how you would teach a group of Year 7 pupils to solve linear equations. You should consider what the pupils need to know before and any misconceptions they might have or develop.

Modern Languages

Be prepared to discuss how you would introduce an appropriate aspect of grammar for beginners (in your main language) to a group of Year 7 pupils. You should consider what the pupils need to know before and any misconceptions they might have or develop.

Music

Be prepared to discuss how you would introduce the concept of rhythm to a group of Year 7 pupils. You should consider what the pupils need to know before and any misconceptions they might have or develop.

Physical Education

Be prepared to present how you would teach an overhead smash shot in badminton. Choose an appropriate teaching model and incorporate outcomes across different learning domains.

You should consider what the pupils need to know before and any misconceptions they might have or develop.

Physics

Be prepared to discuss how you would introduce the concept of particle theory to a group of Year 7 pupils. You should consider what the pupils need to know before and any misconceptions they might have or develop.

Religious Education

Be prepared to discuss how you would introduce the concept of ‘signs and symbols’ to a group of Year 7 pupils.

You should consider what the pupils need to know before and any misconceptions they might have or develop.

Part three

The following subject areas have additional aspects of the interview:

• Art and Design – Send a portfolio of your work / practice in advance of your interview to applicantsupport@ljmu.ac.uk. Please include:
• Your full name
• The programme you have applied for
• Your application number
• The date of your interview

Your portfolio should be a maximum of 12 slides (on a PowerPoint presentation or similar) selected with consideration how your work supports the teaching of the key stage 3 national curriculum in Art and Design. The selection should demonstrate a range of relevant skills and techniques.

• Design and Technology - Send a portfolio of your work / practice in advance of your interview to applicantsupport@ljmu.ac.uk. Please include:
• Your full name
• The programme you have applied for
• Your application number
• The date of your interview

Your portfolio should be a maximum of 12 slides (on a PowerPoint presentation or similar) selected with consideration how your work supports the teaching of the key stage 3 national curriculum in Design and Technology. The selection should demonstrate a range of relevant skills and techniques.

• Music – During your interview, you will give a performance for up to 5 minutes. This should be a live demonstration of your instrument or voice.
• Modern Languages - Following the interview you will be required to undertake a short piece of writing and have a brief discussion in your target language after the interview. This will be arranged for a date and time suitable for you but we cannot make a decision following interview until this has been completed.

Decision timeline

Following your interview, we aim to make decisions as quickly as possible. Our assessment considers all elements of the selection process, evaluating your knowledge, skills, experience, and commitment to ensure you have the potential to complete the programme successfully and build a rewarding teaching career.

We will notify DfE Apply of our decision, and you will receive an automated notification through the DfE Apply/LJMU system.

Understanding your offer

All offers are conditional and require:

• satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• satisfactory Letter of Good Conduct Overseas Criminal Records Check if you have lived overseas within the last 10 years
• medical clearance
• evidence of required certificates (GCSEs and degree and any high qualifications like masters/PhD)
• meeting any additional specified entry requirements, for example Subject Knowledge Enhancement course

Important:
Read your offer conditions carefully, noting all deadlines. All conditions must be satisfied by the dates outlined in your offer on DfE Apply.

Standard Offer Conditions

Your conditional offer will typically require:

1. Degree Classification – 2:2 or above in your honours degree (overseas qualifications must be verified by ENIC, formerly NARIC). Degree certificate required if already graduated.
2. GCSE Certificates – English Language and Mathematics grade C/4 or above (or approved equivalents). You must verify equivalencies with us before interview, as not all alternatives are acceptable for teacher training.
3. References – Two references meeting our requirements (see reference guidance). One must be an academic reference if you have studied within the last 5 years.
4. DBS Check – Satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.
• LJMU will contact you about this process from May 2026 (after you accept your offer at LJMU).
• If you have an existing Enhanced DBS certificate for working with children and active DBS Update Service membership, we can accept this. You must provide a copy and maintain Update Service membership throughout the programme.
5. Medical Clearance – Completion of occupational health process.
• LJMU will contact you from April 2025 (after you make accept your offer at LJMU).

After accepting your offer

You will receive detailed instructions about submitting required documentation following your offer.

Once you confirm LJMU as your firm choice

Making LJMU your firm choice triggers several processes:

• Medical clearance and DBS procedures begin.
• You receive pre-course tasks and preparation materials (from April 2026).
• We provide resources to ensure you're fully prepared for September.

These preparatory materials help you transition smoothly into the PGCE programme and begin developing your professional knowledge before the course starts.

Please make sure you have:

• checked any equivalent qualifications prior to you interview with applicantsupport@ljmu.ac.uk,
• you have access to Microsoft Teams and it is set up on your device with your full name visible,
• you have booked your interview slot,
• you have prepared your subject task,
• for Art and Design and Design and Technology applicants, you have submitted your portfolio to applicantsupport@ljmu.ac.uk,
• for Music applicants, you have prepared your performance,
• you are in a quiet, suitable space for the interview,
• your device is charged and you have an available power supply and suitable internet connection,
• you have photographic identification ready,
• you have taken a deep breath and are ready to enjoy the process.

There will be opportunities to book onto a LJMU Campus Tour to see the LJMU facilities at any stage of your application.

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