All appropriately qualified candidates will be given equal consideration during the selection process. Plymouth University does not tolerate discrimination on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, colour, disability, religion, nationality, age, sexual orientation or any other irrelevant distinction.
Academic requirements:
- A minimum of 280 tariff points including 100 in a single qualification relevant to the subject specialism pathway.
- Access course entries require '45 credits, with 30 at Distinction and / or Merit and 15 credits relevant to the subject specialism pathway'.
Common qualifications include:
A levels; BTEC National Diplomas; CACHE courses; Access Courses; Scottish and Irish Highers; Music practical qualifications; Cambridge Pre-U; Diploma in Foundation Studies; International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma; OCR Nationals; Welsh Baccalaureate.
Tariff point equivalency details are taken from the UCAS website
http://www.ucas.com/students/ucas_tariff/tarifftables/#gce - 5 GCSEs grade A* – C (or equivalent) to include: English, Mathematics and a Science.
Equivalent qualifications include:
- English Language qualification:
GCSE grade C; CSE grade 1; CEE grade I,II or III; BTEC any first, national of higher national certificate or diploma in English; International baccalaureate higher or subsidiary level in English language at grade 4 or above
- Mathematics qualification:
GCSE grade C ; GCE O level in mathematics; CSE in mathematics grade 1; CEE in mathematics grade I,II or III; BTEC higher national certificate or diploma award in mathematics or national certificate or diploma with merit or distinction at level 1 or higher; International baccalaureate higher or subsidiary level in mathematics at grade 4 or above
- Science qualification:
GCSE grade C; GCE O level or A2/ AS in physics, chemistry biology, human biology or general science; CSE in any science subject grade 1; BTEC first diploma in science with merit or distinction;
- Level 7 International English Language Testing System [IETS] (International candidates only).
Non-academic requirements:
- All candidates will be required to complete a satisfactory DBS (formerly CRB) Enhanced Disclosure, register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority and complete a criminal convictions self-declaration form.
- All candidates must be deemed fit to teach.
- All candidates must be able to reflect on some significant experience (a minimum of 10 days) in a relevant educational setting(s).
PST (QTS Tests)
All applicants will now need to gain their PST (QTS) tests prior to entry. Full details about these tests can be found at
PST Tests. You may find the
Sample tests website useful.
An interview is a pre-requisite for entry onto this Programme.
All candidates apply to join a subject specialism pathway and are interviewed in depth by a representative from that subject team. Interview days are conducted by the programme lead representative and include a practising teacher who represents the wider partnership and offers an employer perspective on suitability for the profession.
We are looking for candidates with a passion for their chosen specialism, who understand both the factors which motivate teachers and some of the challenges they face and who can demonstrate that they have the energy and commitment to be successful in the profession. Candidates with life experience outside mainstream educational settings and those with some experience of employment in school and educational settings are likely to have developed the maturity of approach that this course demands.
Candidates must also demonstrate that they have the potential to meet the required standards for teachers (Appendix 4) by the end of their training and that they possess appropriate personal and intellectual qualities to be teachers. The interview day will include tasks designed to demonstrate skills relevant for the profession such as the ability to read effectively and communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written standard English.
Clear criteria are used by interview tutors across all pathways to assess candidates at interview and these are also used to inform feedback to candidates on appropriate action to take before starting the programme and in the first tutorial session on arrival to inform early individual action planning.