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FAQs

Qualifications

  1. I haven't got my GCSEs yet - can I still apply for the PGCE?
  2. Do you accept equivalency tests for English Language and Maths?
  3. Are my qualifications acceptable?
  4. Do you have to get a first class degree to study at Cambridge?
  5. Can I still apply if I don't have an Upper-Second or First Class degree?

Applying

  1. Do you hold Open Days?
  2. When is the closing dates for applications?
  3. What is college membership, and which colleges take PGCE students?
  4. When do I find out about my college membership?
  5. Can I apply directly to you?
  6. The Dfe Apply system has been updated with an offer, how do I know what the conditions are?
  7. I have a disability; how should I let you know about this?

Interviews

  1. When will I receive information about the interview?
  2. How often are interviews held? Are there specific dates?
  3. Do I have to attend an interview in person if I am overseas?
  4. Will I be able to park on site at my interview?
  5. What happens if I do not bring all of my certificates to the interview?

Disclosure & Barring Service

  1. I already have an enhanced disclosure, do I need another?

Finance

  1. How much does the PGCE course cost?
  2. Do I get a bursary? How do I apply for one?
  3. Can I use my training bursary to pay for my fees?
  4. Is there any other funding available?

Course Information

  1. Can I defer my place?
  2. When does the PGCE start and finish?
  3. When will I find out about school placements? Where will they be? Can I arrange my own?
  4. Where can I live? Can I commute to complete the PGCE?
  5. What time do we start / finish each day?

Qualifications

Q. I haven't got my GCSEs yet - can I apply for the PGCE?
Q. Do you accept equivalency tests for English Language and Maths GCSEs?

A. All applicants are required you to hold GCSE passes (grade C/4 or above) in English Language and Mathematics before they submit their application. Primary applicants also need a mainstream Science GCSE.   If you studied English as a Second Language, you will need to obtain an Academic IELTS with a minimum score of 7 in every element.

We are not able to accept equivalency tests or the OCR Adult Numeracy or Literacy in lieu of GCSEs.  


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Q. Are my non-UK qualifications acceptable?

A. The equivalence of overseas qualifications is determined by UK ENIC. If you are from overseas then you should contact UK ENIC, who deal with the equivalence of overseas qualifications to UK ones. The website address is https://www.enic.org.uk/

If you are a UK applicant please contact us with regards to your qualifications.


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Q.Do you have to get a first class degree to study at Cambridge?

A. We welcome applicants who have, or expect to obtain, a 2.1 or first-class honours degree.


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Q. Can I still apply if I don't have an Upper-Second or First class degree?

A.  We are unable to consider applicants with a 2.2 or 3rd class degree unless they have subsequent higher qualifications (eg. a PhD) and an otherwise strong academic background.  If you have a 2.2 degree, please contact the PGCE Admissions Team before you apply so you can be given carefully considered advice.


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Applying

Q. Do you hold Open Days?

A. Yes - http://www.educ.cam.ac.uk/openday/  However, the Admissions Team also offer personal one-to-one advice to applicants. You are welcome to contact us by email or phone, or to visit the Faculty to discuss your application and have a look round. If you are interested in visiting the Faculty, please contact us at least a week beforehand to arrange a suitable time as staff are not in the PGCE office every day.


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Q. When is the closing date for applications?

A. The closing date for all applications is 30th June or whenever the course is full, whichever is earlier. Competition for places is extremely high so we recommend that applications are made before Christmas to avoid disappointment should a course fill early in the academic year.


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Q. What is college membership, and which colleges take PGCE students?

A. The PGCE is offered by the Faculty of Education rather than by individual colleges of the University. However, it is a University regulation that everyone undertaking a course at the University is a member of a Cambridge college. Please see: http://www.educ.cam.ac.uk/courses/pgce/applying/


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Q. When do I find out about my college membership?

A. After you are made an offer your College Application Form is sent to your first choice College for a decision. If this college cannot accept you as a member it is sent to your second choice. You will be informed both by the Faculty of Education and the College when membership of a College is confirmed.


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Q. Can I apply directly to you?

A. No. All applications for the PGCE have to be made through Dfe Apply for Teacher Training.


Back to topQ. The DfE Apply system has been updated with an offer, how do I know what the conditions are?

A. You will receive a formal offer letter from the Faculty outlining the conditions of your offer about a week after the offer appears on Apply.


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Q. I have a disability; how should I let you know about this?

A. The Faculty is committed to equal opportunities for all and to the provision of support for students with a disability. Applicants with a disability are encouraged to bring this to the attention of the Faculty's Admissions team at the earliest opportunity to enable us to provide the support you may require both at interview stage and during your course. The University's Disability Resource Centre is available to all PGCE students and will work with the Faculty to provide support before and during the PGCE course. 

To find out more about University support for students with a disability please follow the link below. The information is targeted at Undergraduate students but the same level of support is provided for all students at the University. 

http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/support/disability/


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Interviews

Q. When will I receive information about the interview?

A. This will be e-mailed to you approximately 7-10 days before the interview.


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Q. How often are interviews held? Are there specific dates?

A. Interviews for the Primary PGCE courses generally run from December through to February. For Secondary PGCE courses one or two interview dates are arranged per month, depending upon the number of applications, until the course is filled.  We expect that all interviews will take place in person this year.


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Q. Do I have to attend an interview in person if I am overseas? Can you interview me remotely?

A. The interview process consists of a number of group activities as well as an individual interview, so we generally expect all interviews to take place in person.   Please see Interview information for futher details.


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Q. Will I be able to park on site at my interview?

A. There is no parking available at the Faculty of Education. However, both the Babraham Park & Ride and an NCP car park (on the Clifton Estate) are nearby, and Hills Road is a main bus route into the city.


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Q. What happens if I do not bring all of my certificates/ID documents to the interview?

A. If you are offered a place, one of the conditions of the offer will be to supply original GCSE/degree certificates and photo ID. If you have lost the certificate you will need to contact the appropriate exam board for a replacement certificate or a Certified Transcript of Results.


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Disclosure & Barring Service

Q. I already have an enhanced disclosure, do I need another?

A. Please see our Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment information


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Finance

Q. How much does the PGCE course cost?

Q. Do I get a bursary? How do I apply for one?

A.  Please see our Costs and Funding information.

Q: Can I use my training bursary to pay for my fees?

A.  No. Tuition fees are due at the start of the academic year whereas training bursaries are paid in instalments throughout the year. Students in this situation should take out a SFE tuition fee loan in the first instance, and then if desired, repay the loan early as they receive their training bursary instalments.


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Q. Is there any other funding available?

A. Please see our Costs and Funding information


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Course Information

Q. Can I defer my place?

A. No, if you were to decline your place this year, you would need to reapply in the next admissions cycle as a new applicant. Please note, as applications are a competitive process and we have a limited number of places on each course, we cannot guarantee that you would be offered a place again.


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Q. When does the PGCE start and finish?

A. The 2024-25 course will run from 9th September 2024 to 27th June 2024.  (The 2025-26 course dates are yet to be confirmed, but are likely to be similar.)


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Q. When will I find out about school placements? Where will they be? Can I arrange my own?

A. The Faculty of Education works with a number of carefully selected partnership schools reflecting a diverse range of school types across the eastern region and you will be placed in at least two of these. Staff in these schools have undergone extensive training in supporting PGCE students.

  • PGCE Primary students will be informed of their first placement in September. Please see our Primary School Placements information
  • PGCE Secondary students will normally be informed in late July. Please see our Secondary Professional Placements information

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Q. Where can I live? Can I commute to complete the PGCE?

A. The University requires postgraduate students to live within ten miles of Cambridge city centre. PGCE students who are unable to relocate to Cambridge must apply to their College for dispensation to live outside this area.  Due to the intensive nature of the PGCE course the Faculty recommends a maximum commute time of one hour/25 miles.


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Q.What time do we start and finish each day?

A. Faculty days are generally 9-5 daily, though you may occasionally finish earlier than this.  When you are on school placement, you will be expected to work to school hours (generally 8-4:30)