PGCE Secondary interview

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 following information will be helpful to you.

What do I need to do before my online interview?

• Please read the information on this webpage for further details about the interview process.
• Watch the PGCE Secondary online interview introduction video.
• Be prepared for the subject-specific elements of your interview – please refer to the interview information webpage for your subject for further details.
• Read the Institute of Education's Interview Top Tips guide.
  
  

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.

What will happen on the day of my interview?

Your interview will include the following:

• A welcome talk delivered by the subject leader
• Subject-specific elements of your interview
• Formal interview
• Written task

Subject-specific elements of your interview

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

Subject-specific interview information webpages

Art and Design

Computer Science

Design and Technology

Drama

English

Geography

History

Maths

Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)

Music

Physical Education (PE)

Religious Education (RE)

Science

Formal interview

The interview questions will focus on the following:

• your motivations for becoming a teacher
• your passion for teaching your subject
• your subject knowledge and specialisms.

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

Written task

At the end of your interview, a written task will be sent to you via email. You will need to complete and return the written task to the subject leader within a certain amount of time, depending on the subject. Further information about the written task will be given to you at the end of your interview. This will include the following details:

• the title for the written task
• instructions on how to complete the written task
• the amount of time you will have to complete the written task
• the email address 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 contact admissionssupport@reading.ac.uk.

Questions?

We are looking forward to meeting you at your interview. In the meantime, if you have any questions or if you require any assistance in relation to your interview, please contact admissionssupport@reading.ac.uk.