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Congratulations on being invited to interview for the PGCE Secondary course at the University of Reading.

We want this to be a stress-free process to enable you to perform to your potential and we hope that the information on this webpage will be helpful to you.

Please read all of the information carefully.

What do I need to do before my online interview?

Do I need to provide any documents at my online interview?

The only document that you will need to provide at your interview is a piece of photographic ID so your identity can be verified (your passport, driving licence photocard, or ID card). You will need to hold this up to the camera, so please have this to hand at the start of your interview.

PGCE Secondary online interview introduction video

What will happen on the day of my interview?

Your interview will include the following:

Subject-specific elements of your interview

Please be prepared for the subject-specific elements of your interview – refer to the interview information webpage for your subject for further details.

Art and Design

Design and Technology

English

Geography

History

Maths

Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)

Physical Education (PE)

Science

Formal interview

During your interview, you will be asked questions relating to the following topics:

  • Your motivations for becoming a teacher
  • Your passion for teaching your subject
  • Your subject knowledge and specialisms
  • Safeguarding and child protection – we recommend that you read the summary of Keeping Children Safe in Education to prepare for this. The guidance is also available in an alternative format.

There will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions during your interview.

Written task

The written task will be sent to you via email. This will be sent at the end of your interview for most subjects, but for Science subject interviews you will receive this before your interview. Please read the instructions in the email that you receive with the written task which will include the following details:

  • the title for the written task
  • instructions on how to complete the written task
  • the amount of time that you will have to complete the written task
  • the email address that you will need to return the written task to, once completed.

Please let us know if any adjustments are needed for you to access this task.

Who will interview me?

You will be interviewed by the subject leader and another interviewer. The second interviewer may be a colleague from one of our partner schools.

Please note that we will share relevant background information from your application form with our partner school colleague, but this will not include any sensitive data that you provided as part of your application. If you have any queries or concerns in relation to this, please email the Admissions Support team.

Time Zones

The time on the Microsoft Teams invitation that you receive from us will show the UK time for your interview. Please make sure you check the time difference between the UK and the country you are in to ensure that you attend at the correct time.

Questions?

We are looking forward to meeting you at your interview. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please email the Admissions Support team.

We are fully committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our admissions and interview processes. If you would like to request any specific requirements or adjustments around accessibility for your interview, please email the Admissions Support team. Please rest assured that requesting reasonable adjustments or having specific requirements will not affect the outcome of the interview or our decision on whether you are offered a place on the course.