student life on pgce courses

Hiya,
Can anyone give me any information on what student life is like on a pgce course? How many contact hours a week should I expect during the university based course? Is it easy to find accomodation when on placement and is this with other students or do you have to live alone? Is it generally a social course? I'm currently doing my undergraduate degree at Oxford and I have been having quite a difficult time with the low number of contact hours (far too much free time to occupy and spend studying alone) and the lack of social contact from my flatmates is putting me off the idea of further study. Should I be worrying about moving to a city where I know no one to do my PGCE? Thanks!

Reply 1

linkdapink

Well this is what we were told at my York interview (secondary PGCE):

- You do 2 weeks in a primary school to start with
- Then up until christmas, you do 2 days in a school, 3 days in uni, and a block of 4 or so weeks full time at the school
- After christmas, you do a bit more at uni, then 14 weeks placement in a school
- Then another 2 weeks at uni

They said that you would be within commuting distances to your schools, so wouldn't need to find somewhere near your placement (this is in different places in the two terms anyway). I'm not sure what happens with where you live anyway, I think that's up to you.

So basically, you won't have a lot of free time, and you'll be able to commute to your school, and live wherever you want, with whoever you want :smile:

Reply 2

Interrobang

During university for my PGCE (primary), I was generally in uni 9-4 every day (on average) with either a 1 or 2 hr break in the middle.

People stay living where they are and travel to their placement (unis try and find schools with no more than 1hr travelling time)

Where I am, cos you spend almost all your uni time in the same group of about 25-30, it's a very sociable course. It's more difficult when on placement, however!

I moved to somewhere else new for my PGCE (to be closer to my now ex-boyfriend...) and it's been OK, altho lots of the people live at home, so they know other people not on the course, whereas I don't (apart from my flatmates - I live on campus)

Reply 3

egalr

In terms of hours whilst as university, it is an intensive course and the hours reflect this. We have been told to expect to be in university from 9am-8pm - that way if it is any less it's a bonus! You will also have a lot of studying to do in your 'free' time. We have also been told to make friends with our coursemates early - they're great for support but you won't have the time to get to know them later in the course! In terms of socialising you could do the odd night out, but on the whole you'll be too busy!

But don't forget it's only a 9-month course! And more than worth it in the end if teaching is what you're passionate about.