PGCE School Direct Initial Teacher Training (non-salaried)

Fees and funding

Full-time PGCE/PGDE students are eligible for the same range of financial support as undergraduate students

You will have access to:

• a non means-tested student loan to cover your tuition fees
• a means-tested student loan to help cover your living expenses
• a means-tested maintenance grant, which does not have to be paid back
• a means-tested LJMU bursary worth up to £500, which does not have to be paid back

Subject-specific bursaries are available to support those training to teach. The amount of bursary depends on your subject and degree classification. Find out more at Get into Teaching.

If you are eligible for a bursary you do not need to apply for one; once you are enrolled at LJMU you will begin receiving payments from the beginning of your course.

Bursaries of up to £30,000 are often available for those training to teach: biology, chemistry, computing, design and technology, English, geography, history, mathematics, modern languages, physics and religious education.

Alternatively, if you have a good first degree, you can apply for a scholarship from professional subject bodies such as the IoP, RSC, IMA and BCS. Find out more at Get into Teaching.

Employability

Further your career prospects

LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.

Many schools involved in School Direct are seeking to fill a vacant post at the end of the course, though there is no guarantee of employment.

During your training there will be ample opportunities for engagement with relevant local employment organisations including schools and teacher recruitment agencies through on campus events.

You will be encouraged to join the relevant professional association for your subject or area of study, providing the opportunity to engage with wider networks of teachers and others interested in your chosen area.

Most of our students go on to work in schools and colleges, locally and nationally, in the state or independent sectors.

Teaching provides a variety of career pathways leading to specialist roles in schools and colleges ranging from pastoral care and subject leadership right through to school leadership positions.

Having gained experience in teaching, a number of graduates move into associated professions such as educational psychology, consultancy, and roles in the education service sector outside of schools.

Teaching

An insight into teaching on your course

Study hours

Although you will spend the majority of your time teaching in school there are regular university-based training sessions at the LJMU Mount Pleasant Campus in the City Centre. Some of your training may be delivered by and in partner schools.

As this is a postgraduate course, you should expect to undertake a significant amount of independent study and preparation, not only to support your course assignments, but also your school-based work.

Teaching methods

School based training involves the preparation and delivery of learning sequences and lessons to small groups and whole classes of learners, with expectations and workload increasing during the course. This work is supported by your teacher-mentor who will support your professional learning experience in school.

The course is delivered through a variety of teaching methods including lectures, seminars, interactive workshops, group discussion and reflection, problem solving and micro-teaching. We also make full use of the University’s Virtual Learning Environment.

This intense programme is tightly focused on providing you with the skills and knowledge required. Tutorial support is an important part of the process and you will receive a personalised service that will enable you to set targets and achieve your potential.

Your Personal Tutor will meet with you to monitor your progress, provide guidance and advice and set targets for your development.

You will also be allocated a Teacher Mentor who will organise and supervise your school-based training. Your mentor will be supported by an LJMU Tutor who will visit school several times during the year to monitor your progress.

Assessment

How learning is monitored on your programme

To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.

A variety of assessment methods are used during the course including: critical reflections on practice, literature review, small scale research projects and design and analysis of learning experiences.

During your training, you will monitor your progression towards achieving Qualified Teachers Status (QTS) and will need to maintain an appropriate professional development portfolio to support this.

A final assessment will be based on observation of your teaching practice and the evidence base that you develop during training.

Entry requirements

You will need:

• a minimum a 2:2 honours degree (some Lead Schools will require a 2:1).  You should check the individual requirements on DfE Apply.
• GCSE Grade 4/C or equivalent in English, Maths and Science for Primary teaching and English and Maths for Secondary teaching - level 2 numeracy and literacy not accepted
• a demonstrable interest in teaching within the curriculum area/age range. You could show this in a number of ways – time spent in schools, knowledge of a chosen curriculum area, relevant practical experience

Additional information:

• RPL is not accepted on this programme
• Deferred entry for the next academic year is not accepted for this programme
• IELTS score 7.0 (Minimum 6.5 in each component)
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a selection event 
• A minimum of 10 days’ work experience in a UK Primary or Secondary school is normally required prior to commencing the programme. We can help to arrange this for successful applicants
• All offers are conditional on applicants meeting the Department for Education’s standards for physical and mental fitness to teach and clearance to work with children with a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Disclosure

Please note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check via NARIC.

View country specific entry requirements

Contact LJMU's International Admissions Team for guidance on visa information. Further information is also available from our international web pages.

Application and selection

Securing your place at LJMU

Applications can be made via Apply to the Lead School. Each applicant will be considered in consultation with an LJMU Admissions Tutor and may be asked to attend a selection event in school.

Selection is based on performance in teaching and written tasks and interviews which may involve the school’s learners. The selection process will be led by the schools’ Teachers and Senior Leaders and may involve LJMU Tutors.