Making a PGCE application

How to apply

You apply for PGCE programmes through the Department of Education website. Our institution code is G56 GOLD. This also applies to International students.

Before you make your application, check the entrance requirements for the PGCE that you wish to study – these are found on each individual programme page. Different PGCE programmes have specific requirements.

When to apply

Applications open in October. There is no closing date, but we strongly advise applying as early as possible. The fitness to train conditions that you will need to meet can take some time, so we will only be able to consider your application if there is still plenty of time remaining before enrolment.

After you have applied

Once we have considered your application and references, successful applicants will be invited to the next phase of the process – an interview.

The interview will take place online, at Goldsmiths or in one of our partnership schools. At the interview, you will complete a number of activities designed to demonstrate your potential to train to teach.

These typically involve the following, depending on which course you have applied for:

• a written English task  
• a maths task (for Primary PGCE courses)  
• a presentation relating to your subject (for Secondary PGCE courses) 
• an individual interview  
• pre-interview task (e.g. something to read or prepare prior to the interview)

We will send you full details of the interview in advance, so that you can fully prepare for it.

So that everyone who applies is given the opportunity to demonstrate their full potential we have made anticipatory adjustments to the interview process, e.g. we have built in additional time to the interview activities.

However, if you require any further reasonable adjustments, please do not hesitate to contact us using the contact details on your interview invitation email.

Assesing your application

We make our decisions based on your enthusiasm, aptitude, and commitment to teaching as demonstrated by your application, qualifications, experience, reference, and performance at the interview.

These can be demonstrated in a number of different ways:

• through experience of activities with children and young people within or outside school 
• evidence of continued interest in your subject 
• evidence of the ability to interact and communicate successfully with a range of people 
• evidence of a commitment to the safety, well-being and development of children and young people  
• evidence of the ability to organise and manage your time effectively 
• evidence of readiness to undertake academic study at the appropriate level

Contact Us

The entry requirements for PGCE programmes are set by the Government, and therefore we cannot make exceptions to these.

We encourage you to contact the Course Enquiries team if you have any questions before applying. For example, if you are not sure whether your qualifications meet the entry requirements, or if it is late in the year and you want to check whether we are still considering applications.

Course Enquiries Team
+44 (0)20 7919 5300 (9am-4pm UK time)
course-info(@gold.ac.uk)