Unis for primary teaching (QTS)

Hi,
I’m year 12 at the minute (so will be entering uni in Sept 2024) and starting to look at universities. I know I want to do a primary teaching course with Qualified Teacher Status, and just wondering if anyone has advice for making decisions.
One main thing I’m worried about is that most of the unis which offer primary teaching are former polytechnics with less of a reputation as Russel groups etc. As far as I’m aware the only traditional unis are: Reading, Hull, Durham, Sussex, Trinity St David, Bangor and Plymouth. There are some on the list which are definitely no’s due to location, so it doesn’t leave me with many choices of traditional unis, will I be okay in careers/ future as a teacher if it’s a less well-regarded uni (for example Cardiff Met, UWE)

Thanks for anyone with any advice, esp if you’ve been through deciding on unis for teaching :smile:

Reply 1

eemilylouisee

5

Not here to answer, but I am in Year 13 and going through the same struggle at the minute. Where about are you applying to?

Original post by charves14

Hi,
I’m year 12 at the minute (so will be entering uni in Sept 2024) and starting to look at universities. I know I want to do a primary teaching course with Qualified Teacher Status, and just wondering if anyone has advice for making decisions.
One main thing I’m worried about is that most of the unis which offer primary teaching are former polytechnics with less of a reputation as Russel groups etc. As far as I’m aware the only traditional unis are: Reading, Hull, Durham, Sussex, Trinity St David, Bangor and Plymouth. There are some on the list which are definitely no’s due to location, so it doesn’t leave me with many choices of traditional unis, will I be okay in careers/ future as a teacher if it’s a less well-regarded uni (for example Cardiff Met, UWE)

Thanks for anyone with any advice, esp if you’ve been through deciding on unis for teaching :smile:

Hello @charves14

I'm so impressed that you've made a decision about what your educational/career route will look like into the future. This puts you quite a distance ahead of many people I know.

It used to be the case, many years ago, that teacher training was accredited through teacher training colleges, and you could either do something similar to what the Degree with QTS is now, or you could go to University to complete a degree and then a teacher training course afterwards, hence the Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) As these types of training mean you are largely on school placements to do your teaching practice in, appointing head-teachers in schools barely, if at all, look at where you completed your degree/teacher training. This is also due to the Teachers Standards being standardised across the country. (Unlike other degrees where the content will vary according to the University itself.)

Rather than be concerned about the reputation of the university, you would be better to look at your employment opportunities in Primary teaching after you graduate, and what your quality of life would be while you are studying. Outside of your day to day studying, what extra-curricular skills, qualities or attributes might you be able to build away from the lecture theatre or classroom? Perhaps there is a BSL club that you could join so that you could become a specialist in meeting the needs of hearing impaired children in the classroom, or learn an overseas language, or be part of a sports team, or Maths society. Anything that would enrich your teaching career moving forward. Also consider the cost of living in the areas, as Hull would be much cheaper to live than Reading, for example.

Wishing you all the very best for the rest of A-Level!

Jane :smile:

Reply 3

charves14

OP

13

Original post by eemilylouisee

Not here to answer, but I am in Year 13 and going through the same struggle at the minute. Where about are you applying to?

Hi,
I’ve gone for three unis at BBB- Birmingham City, Reading and York St John, and two at BBC- Winchester and UWE Bristol. I sent my application off a few weeks ago so Ive done two interviews now (BCU and UWE), and the rest of mine are in January.
The main factors in my decision making was what the university focuses on, for example UWE seems to focus on like education as part of society, whereas some of them allow for specialisms early on. It’s such a personal thing haha

Good luck with your application!! X

Reply 4

charves14

OP

13

Original post by Get into Teaching

Hello @charves14

I'm so impressed that you've made a decision about what your educational/career route will look like into the future. This puts you quite a distance ahead of many people I know.

It used to be the case, many years ago, that teacher training was accredited through teacher training colleges, and you could either do something similar to what the Degree with QTS is now, or you could go to University to complete a degree and then a teacher training course afterwards, hence the Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) As these types of training mean you are largely on school placements to do your teaching practice in, appointing head-teachers in schools barely, if at all, look at where you completed your degree/teacher training. This is also due to the Teachers Standards being standardised across the country. (Unlike other degrees where the content will vary according to the University itself.)

Rather than be concerned about the reputation of the university, you would be better to look at your employment opportunities in Primary teaching after you graduate, and what your quality of life would be while you are studying. Outside of your day to day studying, what extra-curricular skills, qualities or attributes might you be able to build away from the lecture theatre or classroom? Perhaps there is a BSL club that you could join so that you could become a specialist in meeting the needs of hearing impaired children in the classroom, or learn an overseas language, or be part of a sports team, or Maths society. Anything that would enrich your teaching career moving forward. Also consider the cost of living in the areas, as Hull would be much cheaper to live than Reading, for example.

Wishing you all the very best for the rest of A-Level!

Jane :smile:

Thank you! I’ve sent of my UCAS form now but this will be so helpful in deciding which to have as my firm and insurance (assuming I get 5 offers haha)

Reply 5

Sixth form3747

1

Original post by charves14

Hi,
I’ve gone for three unis at BBB- Birmingham City, Reading and York St John, and two at BBC- Winchester and UWE Bristol. I sent my application off a few weeks ago so Ive done two interviews now (BCU and UWE), and the rest of mine are in January.
The main factors in my decision making was what the university focuses on, for example UWE seems to focus on like education as part of society, whereas some of them allow for specialisms early on. It’s such a personal thing haha

Good luck with your application!! X

What did bcu ask you was your course primary education with qts

Reply 6

charves14

OP

13

yes! so for BCU we had to bring an artefact for the group interview. it was really casual and we just spoke about what we picked and why, id recommend picking something which fits various lessons and ages, as some people were picked up on that. then we had the written task where we watched a video of a teacher and TA and like wrote how they were good and bad and evaluated it. for the one on one it was so simple, i spoke about myself then she asked for specific experiences with behavioural needs and with safeguarding, so id just recommend either having work experience or researching those beforehand.

Reply 7

Sixth form3747

1

Original post by charves14

yes! so for BCU we had to bring an artefact for the group interview. it was really casual and we just spoke about what we picked and why, id recommend picking something which fits various lessons and ages, as some people were picked up on that. then we had the written task where we watched a video of a teacher and TA and like wrote how they were good and bad and evaluated it. for the one on one it was so simple, i spoke about myself then she asked for specific experiences with behavioural needs and with safeguarding, so id just recommend either having work experience or researching those beforehand.

Thanks was yours online because mine is and I just am a bit nervous because when I get put on the spot I just freeze do u have any artefact examples

Reply 8

Sixth form3747

1

Original post by charves14

yes! so for BCU we had to bring an artefact for the group interview. it was really casual and we just spoke about what we picked and why, id recommend picking something which fits various lessons and ages, as some people were picked up on that. then we had the written task where we watched a video of a teacher and TA and like wrote how they were good and bad and evaluated it. for the one on one it was so simple, i spoke about myself then she asked for specific experiences with behavioural needs and with safeguarding, so id just recommend either having work experience or researching those beforehand.

And you know when u pick an interview time is it really 3 hours light or how long was the whole interview

Reply 9

Muttley79

20

Original post by charves14

Hi,
I’m year 12 at the minute (so will be entering uni in Sept 2024) and starting to look at universities. I know I want to do a primary teaching course with Qualified Teacher Status, and just wondering if anyone has advice for making decisions.
One main thing I’m worried about is that most of the unis which offer primary teaching are former polytechnics with less of a reputation as Russel groups etc. As far as I’m aware the only traditional unis are: Reading, Hull, Durham, Sussex, Trinity St David, Bangor and Plymouth. There are some on the list which are definitely no’s due to location, so it doesn’t leave me with many choices of traditional unis, will I be okay in careers/ future as a teacher if it’s a less well-regarded uni (for example Cardiff Met, UWE)

Thanks for anyone with any advice, esp if you’ve been through deciding on unis for teaching :smile:

RG is irrelevant - the 'old' polys were teacher training colleges ie they have been teaching teachers for FAR longer. I actively sought a teacher training college for my PGCE.

Places like Oxford Brookes and Edge Hill are far better than Hull or Sussex. If anything, schools look for these above RG especially for Primary

Reply 10

charves14

OP

13

Original post by Sixth form3747

Thanks was yours online because mine is and I just am a bit nervous because when I get put on the spot I just freeze do u have any artefact examples

So sorry im replying late, I’ll say anyway in case you’ve not done it yet. I chose a leaf, and linked it to science, seasons of the year, being eco-friendly and creative writing. I don’t remember every item but there was a book, a puppet thing and a globe. Really it’s about how well you can explain, just make sure it can link to different age groups and subjects.
For the timings it was a whole afternoon because there’s two interviews and a written task which you do independently and send

(edited 3 months ago)

Original post by charves14

Hi,
I’m year 12 at the minute (so will be entering uni in Sept 2024) and starting to look at universities. I know I want to do a primary teaching course with Qualified Teacher Status, and just wondering if anyone has advice for making decisions.
One main thing I’m worried about is that most of the unis which offer primary teaching are former polytechnics with less of a reputation as Russel groups etc. As far as I’m aware the only traditional unis are: Reading, Hull, Durham, Sussex, Trinity St David, Bangor and Plymouth. There are some on the list which are definitely no’s due to location, so it doesn’t leave me with many choices of traditional unis, will I be okay in careers/ future as a teacher if it’s a less well-regarded uni (for example Cardiff Met, UWE)
Thanks for anyone with any advice, esp if you’ve been through deciding on unis for teaching :smile:

Hello there,

Primary Education with QTS at Cardiff Met is one of the most popular courses here. We would suggest you have a look at the course description and see if it is suitable for you: BA (Hons) Primary Education (3-11) with Qualified Teacher Status Degree - Primary Teaching Degree. Upon successful completion, you can then teach in schools across Wales and the UK as well as abroad at primary level. You can also do a PGCE course later.

If you would like to speak to the academic team, you can contact the programme director, Jordan Allers via [email protected] and they will be able to discuss further with you.

However, if you are interested in another universities, we would suggest you have a look at their website and get some ideas about studying their courses.

Should you have some general enquiries, please contact us via [email protected].

Cardiff Met Admissions. 😄

Unis for primary teaching (QTS)

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