The 'I'm applying for a PGCE' thread

Are you in your third year, then? What course are you on?

In theory it'd be easier for me to be at Middlesex as I wouldn't need a maintenance loan, but then I'd never see any of my Bristol friends. I do have a feeling I may have been in that lecture you're talking about

Yep, Early Childhood Studies. The best was the career prospects lecture... did you know that, amongst other things, the 2008 graduates went on be retail salespeople and air stewardesses?

I'm doing Education Studies. You're safe and can now moan about your course without fear

I was definitely there! She didn't even mention those that went on to do PGCE's. It was all about working in a shop, apparantly.... And scaring everyone about UWE's admissions tests, and how they have more questions and a higher pass rate.

Hahaha, we probably share some tutors.

Fair play to you for having a go anyway despite how discouraging they've been... I remember the lecture where we were made to raise our hands if we were applying (only about seven did) and were then counted so the tutors could take bets on how few would get in. I was never going to apply to UWE anyway, want to move a bit closer to home if I do get onto the course.

The numeracy test scares me! I have however ordered a revision guide

A lot of people I know are going a lot closer to home. I just don't want to never have time to see all my other Bristol frends.

Hopefully they don't take too long to reply. That way I have a chance at an interview, or my other choice will be sent my application early enough to still give me a chance.

I have ordered them too I just need a brush-up, seeing as it's been 4 years since I've had an actual maths lesson!

Yeah, an early interview would be nice for that reason. Hopefully I'll receive some form of acknowledgement by GTTR by the end of next week. It is GCSE maths we have to revise isn't it? (that sounds really stupid but they haven't been clear on my course!)

In theory going to oxbridge holds weight, in reality - not alot! I did an exchange at oxford university and it hasnt helped me much at all with regard to jobs. If anything they think if your rich enough to go there (again another misconception) then you don't really need the job, someone from the outskirts of a big city who went to an average university may be given the upper hand instead!

Another thing to consider is, for my course only 6 universities offer it in the country which further narrows down my choices hence i cannot actively choose many old skool universities to study at for my pgce!

There is 'The good teacher training guide 2011' by the University of Buckingham (search on google for PDF version).

It ranks all of the ITT providers and looks at primary/ secondary and universities/SCITT/EBITT (employment based) serperately and also compares the different routes. It also looks at factors like entry qualifications to get onto the courses, the providers' rating by Ofsted and the take up of teaching posts afterwards - these are used to form the ranking.

It is quite interesting and could be helpful if unsure which route to train on. I used it to compare universities in the area I knew I wanted to train in as they all sounded similar from the course information on their websites. But ovbiously there are lots of diferent factors to take into account when picking where to train also.

As I said before can you please educate headteachers on this point since i have spoken to a fair few who are completely opposed to what you just said

There is 'The good teacher training guide 2011' by the University of Buckingham (search on google for PDF version).

It ranks all of the ITT providers and looks at primary/ secondary and universities/SCITT/EBITT (employment based) serperately and also compares the different routes. It also looks at factors like entry qualifications to get onto the courses, the providers' rating by Ofsted and the take up of teaching posts afterwards - these are used to form the ranking.

There is 'The good teacher training guide 2011' by the University of Buckingham (search on google for PDF version).

It ranks all of the ITT providers and looks at primary/ secondary and universities/SCITT/EBITT (employment based) serperately and also compares the different routes. It also looks at factors like entry qualifications to get onto the courses, the providers' rating by Ofsted and the take up of teaching posts afterwards - these are used to form the ranking.

It is quite interesting and could be helpful if unsure which route to train on. I used it to compare universities in the area I knew I wanted to train in as they all sounded similar from the course information on their websites. But ovbiously there are lots of diferent factors to take into account when picking where to train also.

This is fantastic, thanks very much! And thanks to all who offered advice.

Hijacking this thread to expound those views to the point that they have lost focus with regard to the general content of discussion as well as offend in the process isn't in keeping with the nature of this thread, which is to advise and support. Once again, shush.