Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Admission Interview Guidance
Thank you for your application to Leeds Beckett University Initial Teacher education Courses with QTS. We are delighted you have chosen us as one of your options for this next exciting step in your career as a teacher, and are pleased to welcome you to an interview to assess your potential and provide you with an opportunity to discuss what we have to offer you.
- PGCE Secondary Education English (11-18)
- PGCE Secondary Education Maths (11-18)
- PGCE Secondary Education Physics (11-18)
- PGCE Secondary Education Biology (11-18)
- PGCE Secondary Education Chemistry (11-18)
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE COURSE YOU ARE INTERVIEWING FOR HERE
We look forward to meeting you and presenting the opportunities we have to offer. Good Luck!
Please read the information below carefully. The information will help you prepare for an interview for a place on a course studying Secondary Education at Leeds Beckett University.
1. Before attending the interview, prepare a 5-minute presentation entitled, ‘What I would consider when preparing to teach a Year 7 class in {subject specialism}’. During this presentation, we’ll be looking for:
o some confidence in presenting your subject knowledge;
o some knowledge relating to the National Curriculum for your subject specialism;
o an appreciation of what to expect from Y7 pupils;
o at least one example of a resource that would inspire these children in your subject area;
o some ideas of activities/tasks you may ask the pupils to do and what they’d achieve.
We do not expect a PowerPoint presentation for this and would welcome other presentation styles.
2. Prepare notes on the following topics with regards to yourself and your experiences:
o Any school-based work experiences and/or experience of working with children in settings other than school.
o If you have not been able to gain any practical classroom-based experience of working with young people, please engage with the Government’s Get into Teaching materials in order to reflect upon how teachers can impact on children's development: https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/
o Why you want to become a secondary school teacher, and specifically why you want to specialise in your chosen subject.
o Your resilience to solving problems and working with people
o Your capacity for self-directed study
o Your ability to receive and engage with feedback on performance
o Your experiences of engaging people and or children
o Notes on the National Curriculum for your specialist subject in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4: https://www.gov.uk/national-curriculum
3. Familiarise yourself with the Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.
Interviews start at 1.15pm but you will sent a link with a specific time for you to join 24 hours before your interview. Please ensure you check the email you will receive with your link in for your individual interview time.
Your interview will be held online using MS Teams. You should have received a separate email with the date and time of your interview. If you haven’t received this, please check your spam/junk emails first and then contact us on 0113 812 5946. Please check that your contact details, including telephone number, are correct on your application form.
If you will be accessing Microsoft Teams from a different email address to that on your application, please let us know as soon as possible at UCASAdmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Access to MS Teams will differ depending on the type of device you will be using. We strongly suggest you use a laptop/PC to connect, rather than your phone. If you will be using a desktop computer or laptop to attend your interview, you should be able to attend simply by clicking on the link sent out via email. If you are using a smart phone or tablet you will need to download the free MS Teams app prior to your interview date before being able to access the given link. If you have a headset, we advise that it is used with the device you will be logging into the interview with.
Dress smartly for the interview, as smartly as you would for a campus-based interview day. Find a comfortable space where you are unlikely to be disturbed and be mindful of what will be in the background when your camera is on; (if you download the MS TEAMs App, you can add a digital backdrop of your choice).
If there is a genuine reason why you are unable to attend at your allocated date/time please contact ucasadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk and we will do our best to find an alternative date/time. However, due to high demand it may not be possible to reschedule your interview immediately. All interviews are held during working hours, Monday to Friday.
We expect that applicants dress appropriately for an interview on a professional course (this includes being interviewed online). Successful candidates must show that they are able to:
o Demonstrate that they have the intellectual, personal and presentational qualities to become an effective teacher
o Communicate clearly and concisely in spoken and written Standard English
o Display a commitment to the welfare of all children
o Display a commitment to developing their curriculum knowledge and understanding to teach effectively
o Display a commitment to developing their knowledge of general educational issues and debates
At the start of the interview you will need to show your interviewer a form of photographic ID, such as your passport, driving licence or school/college ID card. Please have your ID available and camera turned on at the start of the interview to avoid delays.
If you are successful following your online interview, we will process an offer of a place on the course via your DfE Apply portal. If you are unsuccessful, we will also notify you via this platform.
If you would like feedback following an unsuccessful decision, you should contact us at ucasadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk to request this.
References
For PGCE applications you should ensure that you have your referees ready before applying. After the interview, if you get an offer, you need to supply a reference from two people via the DfE Apply site ASAP to secure your place. This should be an academic referee and a referee who can speak about your professional
work/volunteering/experience.
If you accept your place with us, before you are due to start your course you will receive a ‘Welcome to your Initial Teacher Training course’ document. This document will support your transition into your first Semester/Phase 1 placement, starting your journey to achieving Qualified Teacher Status. It will also address the essential competencies in fundamental English and mathematics agenda.
All ITE courses require you to provide evidence of your GCSE (or equivalent) qualifications as well as other qualification. You will need to show your original exam
certificates at enrolment. If you do not have these, please order them as soon as possible from your awarding body since this process can take some time. Please also check that you have certificates for the exact qualifications that you have listed on your application form since a decision will have been made specifically upon these. For example, we cannot accept all equivalencies for our QTS courses. If you are unsure about the qualifications you have, please e-mail our UCAS Admissions team and they will be able to advise your further: ucasadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
You will need to provide evidence that you have met ALL conditions of your offer by Aug 21st 2026 in order to enrol on your course.
Please note all our courses require full-time attendance during placement.
Our PGCE courses can be studied part-time and full-time, and you should ensure you have selected the correct mode of study on your application. Please contact us if this is wrong via ucasadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
All students are expected to maintain high levels of attendance in line with meeting professional standards.
Should you wish to make us aware of any learning needs, or if you require reasonable adjustments to enable you to take part in the selection process, please email ucasadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk as far in advance of your interview as possible.
You can apply to live in University accommodation from Spring 2026, as long as you have selected Leeds Beckett University as your firm choice. Further details about the accommodation the University has to offer and how to apply can be found on our website:
Please note that in line with requirements set out by the Department for Education, all successful applicants for Initial Teacher Training courses must undertake several safeguarding checks (including an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check and prohibition and disqualification checks) to ensure applicants are not prohibited from working with children, as well as a successful medical fitness check, before commencing the course. If you select Leeds Beckett University as your firm choice, we will send you further details in the summer about completing a DBS (formerly Criminal Record Bureau) enhanced check and the occupational health screening questionnaire.
Please ensure you keep your contact details up to date with us. Please notify Admissions of any changes by emailing ucasadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
What do I need to do when I get my exam results?
Please send a copy of your official final results to us at ucasadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk as soon as you receive them.
You will also need to complete any health checks and DBS information you are sent.
Exam Certificates
Please be aware that you will need to show your original exam certificates at enrolment. If you do not have these, please order them as soon as possible from your awarding body as this can take some time. Also check that you have certificates for the exact qualifications that you have listed on your application form as a decision will have been made on these. For example, we cannot accept all equivalencies for our QTS courses. If you are unsure about the qualifications you have, please email our UCAS Admissions team and they provide advice ucasadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
When will my course start?
PGCE (all courses and modes of study) start on 1st September 2026. Your induction information will be available from late summer via our online welcome website. Further details will be sent nearer the time.
Course attendance
Our courses require full-time attendance during placement. All students are expected to maintain high levels of attendance throughout the course in line with meeting the set professional standards. Our PGCE courses can be studied part-time and full-time. Please ensure you have selected the correct mode of study on your application and contact us asap if this is incorrect ucasadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Useful Contact Details
The Admissions Team is based at Headingley Campus. If you have any questions prior to or following your interview, please contact:
0113 812 3113
Our Accommodation Office will be pleased to assist you if you are interested in finding accommodation in Leeds for the duration of your studies. The office can be contacted as follows:
0113 812 5972
The University has a team of staff who can offer advice and guidance to applicants on a range of issues, including disability advice and student money advice: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/student-support/
Funding/student Loans: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/money-advice/
Disability Support: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/disability-advice/
General Information: Student Administration for Initial Teacher Education courses: education@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Course specific information: Jennifer Holly (Academic Admissions Tutor All Routes) ITERecruitment@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Open Days and Applicant Days for Campus and Accommodation Tours: Details of our Open Days and Applicant Days are here: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/postgraduate/open-days/
You can also look around our campuses and all our halls of residence with our virtual online tour: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/virtual-open-day/campus-tour/
