What to Include in Your PGCE Personal Statement
How your pgce personal statement should be structured, example personal statement, final thoughts, pgce personal statement.
Updated November 24, 2021
A PGCE personal statement is written as part of the application process for teacher training and gives candidates an opportunity to showcase their skills and attributes.
PGCE candidates will only write one personal statement, which is used to apply for all of their preferred choices. Students upload their personal statement to the UCAS Teacher Training system, and it is submitted for all choices in both phases of the application process (‘Apply 1’ and ‘Apply 2’). No changes can be made once it is submitted.
The personal statement is often used as the deciding factor for choosing whom to invite to interview . This piece of writing should explain the experience you have and how this translates into your abilities in the classroom.
It should also present what you might be like as a teacher – how will your personality and interests help engage students and get them enthused about the subject?
A lot is riding on your personal statement and writing it can be a daunting task. This guide will outline what your PGCE personal statement should contain and how to structure it for the best chance of success.
The admissions team will want to know about the skills, experience and personal qualities you have that would make you perfect for a teaching career. They need to see you have the dedication and passion to complete your PGCE and have a successful future.
Simply saying, “I would be good at this role and am well suited to it” isn’t enough. The PGCE provider needs to read real examples that demonstrate your skills and abilities and meet their requirements.
Here are some details you may want to include in your personal statement:
1. About You
A teacher’s personality and personal experience will be highly influential, therefore your own experiences are relevant to your application.
Before you start writing, it’s a good idea to spend a few minutes jotting down some key facts that are relevant to teaching. These might include:
- Your interests
- Qualifications/achievements
- What motivates you
- Your upbringing
- Relevant skills
Remember to include examples in your list. Coaching a sports team in your spare time suggests you are experienced in motivating young people and getting the best out of them. Maybe you play an instrument and use music in class. Including qualities like these will make your application stand out.
2. Why You Want to Teach
A key element of your application is explaining why you have chosen teaching as your future career. Show an awareness of how teachers can inspire individuals and also the benefits you might see in yourself.
Try to broaden your answer further than simply saying you are passionate about teaching or children. Every applicant will say they are passionate.
Give details of experiences that moved you towards this career or, perhaps, even the moment you realised this was what you were born to do. By using genuine examples, your passion and excitement will shine through.
3. Why You Are the Best Candidate
Try not to pull out a cliché like “I am passionate, dedicated and reliable” – make your application stand out by using a paragraph that the provider won’t see in any other application that day.
Think about what makes you different from any other candidate. Other applicants may say they can take charge of a class and have experience dealing with challenging children, but will they sing an entire lesson just to get the pupils to engage with them, like you did in your work experience? Or will they bring in a structure made out of Lego to demonstrate osmosis, like you did on your degree placement? Think of what makes you, you.
4. Why a PGCE?
Include details of why you have chosen to go down the route of a PGCE rather than doing a full teaching degree. Perhaps you dipped your toe into teaching while travelling after your degree and realised how much you love it, or maybe you are passionate about biology and wanted to decide at a later date whether to go into teaching or industry.
Show that you have done your research and understand the structure of the PGCE and what will be required.
5. Teaching-Related Experience
Include details of any experience you have gained working in schools or with children in another environment. This might include:
- Work experience
- Visits to schools
- Teaching assistant roles
- Voluntary teaching/supervision roles (like helping out at a scout hut, etc.)
- Experience via the Get School Experience service
- Classroom observations
With every experience you discuss, note the skills you gained and how they will benefit you as a teacher and how they have improved your understanding of the education system.
6. Other Professional Experience
Teaching demands a range of different skills – it’s not simply a case of delivering information.
Talk about past positions you have held:
- Did you manage people?
- Did you work within a team?
- Did you negotiate?
- Have you trained or coached others?
- When have you communicated information to different audiences?
The skills you have gained throughout your education, work and personal life can be highly relevant to your application. Be sure to include details of why these skills will make you excel as a teacher.
7. What You Learnt During Your Degree
Whether your degree was in the subject you intend to teach or not, it’s important to talk about the skills you developed throughout your learning and how they will benefit you as a teacher.
If you’re struggling to find transferable skills , here are some ideas:
- Think about how you communicated (presentations, critiquing the work of your peers, etc.)
- Give examples of how you organised yourself
- Describe times you helped others with their learning
Remember to talk about the benefits your initial degree will bring when studying for your PGCE and how your interest in it has inspired your desire to teach.
8. Your Knowledge of What Training to Be/Being a Teacher Entails
It’s important to stress your commitment to your training. To do this, you should demonstrate that you have done your research and are fully aware of what is to come.
Although teaching is a highly rewarding career, no one applying for teacher training will do so without being aware of the challenging nature of the profession.
There is no need to ignore these challenges in your application; actually, it will work in your favour if you show that you have thought about these challenges and are sufficiently prepared.
Talk about the positives and negatives that you expect to experience in your training and within your career, and how your core strengths will help you deal with them.
9. Your Future Plans
Discuss your plans beyond the PGCE:
- Do you have the ambition to be a headteacher?
- Do you plan to take on pastoral responsibilities?
Show a keenness to immerse yourself in the school system and be open to opportunities that come your way.
10. Extenuating Circumstances
Your personal statement is the place to openly discuss any extenuating circumstances, such as low grades or large gaps in employment/education. Make sure you show how you have overcome these challenges and what you learnt from them.
Write your personal statement in Word (or equivalent) and make sure you are happy with it before copying and pasting it into your application on the UCAS system.
You need to keep your personal statement to no more than 4,000 characters across a maximum of 47 lines of text . The UCAS Teacher Training system may differ slightly to your word processor, so be prepared to amend slightly once you have copied it into the UCAS page.
To keep to the character limit and cover all the suggested material above, you will need to be succinct. Make sure you only talk about topics that are relevant and delete any waffle.
Your opening statement should be strong and memorable – a good idea is to state why you have decided to get into teaching. Back up all details with examples and be sure to say what you learned from the experience or how you can bring the skills you developed into the classroom.
Split your statement into three sections:
- Introduction – Introduce yourself and talk about why you want to do a PGCE
- Middle – Use the notes above to cover the key details
- Conclusion – Tell the reader why you are the best person for the place they are offering
Avoid using bold, underlining or italics, and write in English (or Welsh if applying for Welsh PGCEs). The UCAS system will strip all special formatting out of the personal statement (except paragraph breaks) so ensure you keep it simple.
When you are happy with the content, make sure you ask someone to check your work . Spelling and grammar in personal statements should be accurate. Make sure you have not copied anyone else’s work at all – UCAS screens all applications for plagiarism.
Below is an example personal statement which covers all of the key points you should include in this piece of writing:
A teacher at my secondary school single-handedly transformed my passion and ability for maths; I was predicted an ‘F’ at GCSE and in a matter of months, she helped me achieve a ‘B’ and start to enjoy the subject. I can’t think of a more satisfying job than one in which you can inspire young people in the way my teacher inspired me. After achieving a ‘B’ in maths at A-Level, I went on to study the subject at University College London and graduated in 2018 with a 2.1. It was in the final year of my degree that I had my first taste of teaching the subject, as several of the modules involved presenting topics to large groups of first-year students. I was thrilled when students asked to see me afterwards to share their observations of what I had been discussing – it was clear my enthusiasm had rubbed off on them and they were excited by maths, which is exactly why I want to teach. I currently work as a teaching assistant at St Andrew’s School, where I have been for six months. This position has given me a great insight into the skills needed to be a fantastic teacher; the school has several SEN pupils and I have been exposed to the more challenging side of the profession. Being trusted to run activities with the entire class has helped me build confidence and learn how important it is to adapt lesson plans to engage students who have different abilities. I have gained valuable skills in implementing strategies such as gentle competitiveness between pupils, and tactical seating plans to get the best out of each student. Before working at St Andrew’s, I completed a work experience placement at Bell Lane Academy where I shadowed teachers working across the five different year groups. This experience helped hone my skills in addressing different age groups in different ways. My ability to get the best out of students is further strengthened by the experience I am currently gaining in the position of assistant coach at my local netball team. Having worked with the girls for the last 18 months, I have developed different ways of motivating individuals, helping push them outside of their comfort zones and encouraging them to take on new challenges. In my spare time, I enjoy playing netball and rugby and would be keen to take on extra responsibilities at a school in the form of after school clubs or teams. I also have a keen interest in management styles and personality types. The knowledge I gain from books on these topics helps me understand pupils and their differing learning styles – what works for them and what doesn’t. It also helps me look inwardly, analysing my own leadership style and methods of teaching. I have chosen to do a PGCE because I am passionate about maths, and I wanted to spend three years of a degree course exploring the subject further, rather than embarking on teacher training straight from school. My degree course has helped me with my confidence and my ability to speak in front of large groups of people. Teaching first-year students during my degree course helped me think about how to deliver the subject in an exciting and creative way. The experience I have had so far has clearly shown that teaching is an extremely challenging profession, but one which I believe is undeniably my calling in life. I adore maths and I want to bring the subject alive, helping children learn in an exciting, rewarding environment. A few weeks ago, I took it upon myself to ask the headteacher for permission to get the whole year group involved in a human percentages exercise – the children loved it. I believe I should be offered a place on your PGCE programme because I can commit to dedicating myself to a role in which I will strive to inspire and excite every pupil I teach.
The personal statement is your one opportunity to capture the attention of the PGCE provider and set yourself apart from other candidates. Teaching is about bringing your personality into the classroom and inspiring students, so avoid a formulaic application and speak from the heart, giving a full picture of who you are.
Your answers should convey enthusiasm for inspiring young people, a passion for teaching, creativity, excellent organisational skills and energy.
Demonstrate an awareness of this challenging profession but conclude with excitement and enthusiasm for your chosen career path.
You might also be interested in these other Wikijob articles:
Or explore the Postgraduate / Further Study sections.
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How to write a PGCE personal statement
29 th September 2021
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Advice on how to write a PGCE personal statement that shows you’d make a great addition to a teacher training course.
What is a teacher training personal statement?
What to write, pgce personal statement tips.
When applying for a PGCE or postgraduate teacher training, you’ll probably have to write a personal statement. This is your chance to say why you’d make a great teacher by highlighting your relevant experiences and passion for teaching.
If you’re applying directly to a university or school, you should tailor your statement precisely to the course you’re applying for.
If you’re applying through UCAS Teacher Training, you can send your application to more than one university. Therefore, your statement should be more generic so that it applies to each one you’re applying to.
In both cases, make sure that your personal statement reflects the nature of the course or courses you’re applying for. Think about, for example, is it school- or university-based training? What age of students will you be teaching? Will you be specialising in a particular subject?
Before you start writing, look at any information you can find about the course and what you must do to apply. Has the university provided any guidance or topics of what you need to cover?
If not, can you speak to one of the course tutors to discuss what they might want to see in your statement? Or can you talk to a current PGCE student and ask what they wrote in theirs?
When you have a good idea of what admissions tutors will be looking for, create a mind map or list:
- Your relevant academic and practical experiences
- Areas of the course that you’re most interested in
- Anything else the university wants you to include
When structuring your statement, you can use your mind map or list to plan what information to put where.
Your structure can look something like:
- Introduction – about yourself and why you want to do the PGCE
- Middle paragraphs – relevant information of your academic achievements and experiences of working within education
- Concluding paragraph – tying up the main points of why you’re the best candidate for the course
If you’re applying directly to the university, check what the word limit for your personal statement is.
If you’re submitting to UCAS Teacher Training, your personal statement can be up to 47 lines of text or 4,000 characters.
Expanding on your mind map or list from before, think in more depth about why you want to teach.
- What qualities do you have that would make you good at teaching?
- What do you think are the challenges and benefits of being a teacher?
- Why have you chosen this particular age group and/or subject?
- What have you learned from your previous experiences in education?
- Will you be completing any extra exams or relevant experiences before the course starts?
If you studied education at undergraduate level, your course was probably focused on the theoretical side of the subject. Your PGCE course, however, will be about applying those theories to real-life situations in schools. Your personal statement should reflect your understanding of this.
If you haven’t taught before, what other activities or events in your life suggest that you would make a good teacher? Have you worked with children in different environments?
Admissions tutors don’t just want to see why you think your experiences make you a good teacher. Instead, they want to know that you’re aware of the importance of teaching and the demands that come with it.
- Why is it important to reflect on your abilities as a teaching practitioner?
- How will you work on your own development to become a great teacher?
- What interests you about the education system and its challenges?
- Do you have any thoughts are on child welfare and social justice?
When writing, make sure to use evidence and examples to back up your points. Through your tone of voice, try to show that you are positive and passionate about the work.
To see more information on how to style your personal statement, see our postgraduate statements guide.
- Ask someone you know to check it through. Even better if you can get feedback from a teacher
- See if you can speak to other students applying for a PGCE to share thoughts and ideas of what to write
- Similarly, reach out to PGCE staff at your university – or a teacher you know – they have experience that might be valuable to you!
- Any time you can spend in a school will be a valuable addition to your application. If you haven’t already, see if you can arrange to volunteer with one locally
- If you’re invited to an interview, you’ll be asked about what you’ve written on your statement, so be prepared to talk about it in more detail
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Teaching personal statement examples
Giving you the chance to show why you'd be a great teacher, your personal statement is an important part of your application and worth taking the time over
What is a teaching personal statement?
Your personal statement is used to explain why you want to become a teacher and your suitability for the role. While your application form briefly outlines your qualifications, skills and work experience, your teaching personal statement is where your personality shines through.
Take your time with it. Many candidates often spend a few weeks on this part of the application as you don't have to write it all at once. You should get someone to read over it and be prepared to receive constructive feedback and write a few drafts before you send it off.
It's important to:
- use examples based on your recent teaching experience
- tailor your personal statement according to the school/age group
- use good, clear, written English, using first person terms such as 'my' and 'I'
- be original and honest
- avoid clichés and general statements, such as 'I've always wanted to teach'
- demonstrate a passion for teaching.
While it's crucial to get it right, your teaching personal statement is only a small part of the application process. Find out how else you'll need to prepare to get a teaching job .
How to write a personal statement for teaching
Your personal statement should be between 500 and 1,000 words. It's crucial that you don't copy and that the statement you provide is your own work .
This is your opportunity to:
- write about any relevant skills and experience you have
- explain your understanding of why teaching is important
- detail why you want to become a teacher
- list any extra skills or experience you have, such as volunteering or first aid.
See personal statements for postgraduate applications for more guidance.
The nature of your personal statement will vary, depending on the type of teaching you'd like to pursue. Take a look at some of our example personal statements to get an idea of how they differ.
Personal statement for PGCE primary
As well as focusing on roles in which you've gained experience with primary-age children, a PGCE primary personal statement should demonstrate your well-rounded personality and any skills that could be useful for the range of extra-curricular activities primary schools provide (such as the ability to read music for recorder lessons, or drama experience to help with school plays).
Personal statement for PGCE secondary
Many good PGCE secondary personal statements acknowledge the challenges involved in teaching older pupils and provide examples of where the candidate has worked to overcome these problems. As secondary teaching roles are geared towards teaching a specific subject, training providers are looking for more evidence of your subject and degree knowledge.
Personal statement for School Direct
If you're applying for the salaried School Direct route, you should discuss the experience you've gained in the classroom prior to your application. One of your references will need to be from an employer, or someone who can comment on your work ethic and suitability for teaching. Don't worry if your degree is unrelated to the subject you'd like to teach - you may still be able to apply by completing a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course .
Find out more
- Discover how to structure a teaching CV .
- Find out what it's really like to be a primary or secondary school teacher .
- Search postgraduate courses in teaching .
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Writing a Postgraduate Teacher Education personal statement
Updated on 7 July 2023
Guidance on how to write a PGDE/CE personal statement and an example to help demonstrate your skills, experience and motivation for teaching.
A personal statement is a short piece of writing (47 lines/4000 characters) which you are asked to submit in support of your application to study a PGDE/CE made through UCAS. It is your opportunity to demonstrate your skills, experience and motivation for teaching.
Before you start
Remember that this is a very important part of your application. Take your time to carefully plan out and practise your statement. It is a good idea to draft your statement in a word document and get some feedback on it before committing to the final version..
- Don't waste space with irrelevant or repetitive information. Be succinct and avoid complicated language and overly long sentences.
- Be specific about what you have to offer. Detail what you have gained from your experiences in schools/working with children. Give appropriate evidence of the skills you possess for teaching.
- Indicate the relevance of other types of experience or skills you possess, e.g. supervising people or sports
- Avoid using negative language. Present any gaps in skills or experience positively.
- Finish with a summary of what you have to offer leave the selectors with a clear understanding of your suitability for the course.
- Let your enthusiasm for teaching and working with children shine through in everything you say.
- Check grammar and spelling thoroughly! Do not rely on the spelling and grammar check on your word processing package alone. Ask someone to proof read it for you.
- If you are cutting and pasting from a word document, remember to check the formatting.
Questions to consider when structuring your Personal Statement
- Why do you want to be a teacher? - What has inspired you; who/what influenced you?
- Why do you want to work with young people? - What appeals to you about working with this age group; what skills do you possess that will help you?
- Why do you want to teach your subject? For primary: demonstrate a breadth of knowledge across a range of curriculum areas. For secondary, show how your subject knowledge is relevant to the curriculum.
- What have you gained from working with young people? - Have you had any experience in schools or working with children in other settings? Reflect upon what you did, what you observed, what you learned.
- What else can you offer? Skills in sports, music, languages, arts and crafts, ICT etc.
This is an example personal statement. There is considerable room for improvement and the notes make suggestions to help you with writing yours.
I am applying for the PGDE course because I have always wanted to be a teacher. I really like working with children and think that I have the right kinds of skills to become a good teacher .
- The above statement is far too short: you are allowed 47 lines/4000 characters so use them.
- Remember to specify whether you are applying f or primary or secondary courses.
- It is not enough to say that you have developed the "right kinds of skills". Be specific about them.
- It is important to have a strong opening statement . It is the first thing the selectors will read so you want to make an impact.
- Think about why you have always wanted to teach and clearly demonstrate.
New Paragraph
At school, I was involved with the Primary 1 class when I was in final year. I helped the less able children with reading on a one to one basis. I also help out at my local Brownie pack every week, keeping the girls busy with various activities. I have applied to do the Student Tutoring Scheme.
- When describing experience with children, make sure you are specific about what you learned from the work and the skills you developed.
- You need to demonstrate (by providing evidence) that you have developed/ have the potential to develop skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, problem solving, organisation, planning and time management.
At school I studied a wide range of subjects but the one I enjoyed most was History so that is what I have studied at university. I also took Psychology and Politics in first year and Politics in second year too.
- When describing your studies, remember to show how this is relevant to the subject(s) you will be teaching.
I have been a babysitter for two children for several years and enjoy helping the older child with his homework now that he is at school.
- When describing your experience remember to demonstrate the transferable skills you have gained in this role that would be relevant to teaching. For example with babysitting you could link to the skill of 'behaviour management'.
I am very interested in education generally and keep up to date with current issues by reading the BBC website.
It is not enough to say that you 'keep up-to-date' here. Give a summary of what you have to offer and stating why you should be offered a place on the course.
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Writing a personal statement for a PGCE
How To Write a PGCE Personal Statement
Your personal statement is crucial to the success of your application and must be well written, concise, well-structured. It must also clearly demonstrate your reasons for choosing teaching and your commitment and suitability for this career in only 47 lines!
Before applying, do your research. Find out what being a teacher is really like. Get experience in a school, talk to teachers and read careers information.
General Tips:
- Compose your statement in Word and cut and paste it into your online application. This will allow you to ensure it fits, that you have used spell check and have proofread it to ensure its word perfect. Personal statements with a poor level of written English will be rejected.
- Use Verdana 12 as this is the size and font used by UCAS.
- Ensure it has a good structure with an introduction, a middle and a conclusion.
- Get someone to check your final draft who is knowledgeable in this area and whose judgement you trust.
- Research the Training Provider you are applying for. Which skills/experience/qualifications do they expect?
Your Personal Statement should:
- be persuasive
- be fluent, realistic, relevant and specific
- mention young people- it is about enabling them to learn rather than why you want to teach
- overuse of short sentences all beginning with ‘I’
- general statements and narrative
- I feel/think/believe – instead, use positive action words e.g. planned/managed/implemented/organised
- making a statement without having evidence to back it up
Sections in your Personal Statement:
- Introduction- why teaching and why you?
- The relevance of your work experience
- What subject you want to teach and why?
- Additional factors
- Concluding paragraph
1.Introduction
Why teaching?
- What is your motivation? What has influenced your decision to teach? Avoid ‘I have always wanted to teach’ or ‘I believe teaching is worthwhile’ or ‘I like children’.
- Concentrate on what influenced your decision to teach, how the idea has developed and what can you offer in terms of personal skills and attributes.
- Have certain people influenced you? Why? How?
- Show your desire to work with young people and refer to evidence.
Make a list of skills and qualities that you have that can be linked to all the key skills that make an effective teacher and how you can demonstrate this with examples:
- Organisation
- Communication
- Energy & enthusiasm
- Responsibility
- Love of subject
- Team player
2.Relevant Experience
School-based experience:
- Where? Try to avoid visiting the school you attended as a pupil
- How long for? One day is probably not enough time to see what it means to be a teacher, you need enough time to gain a good understanding of teaching and schools.
- What did you do? Did you observe lessons, work as a TA, attend meetings/training/ research curriculum/teaching and learning/had a focus on EAL or SEND pupils?
- What Key Stages did you experience? Make sure it is relevant to the specific PGCE course you are applying for.
- What techniques did you observe? Effective and not effective and why?
- Lesson-planning
- Classroom organisation
- Classroom management
- Inclusion/ diversity issues e.g. English as an additional language (EAL); special educational needs (SEND); disadvantaged pupils and gifted and talented pupils.
Always say what you have done and how it demonstrates the skills required as a teacher. For example, ‘reading with a group of pupils showed me that…’ or ‘working with a low ability group allowed me to…’
Other work with young people (paid/unpaid):
- Youth groups
- After school groups
- Summer camps
What if you don’t have any relevant experience?
Highlight the other experiences you have engaged in and use these to demonstrate your understanding of teaching and schools.
3. What subject you want to teach and why?
- For Secondary, you need to show that you are passionate about your subject area and passing on that enthusiasm to young people.
- Link to relevant work experience, what have you observed and match your skills to this.
- Refer to any research you have done regarding your subject and also the curriculum/ examinations you would be required to teach at that Key Stage
- Link your qualifications and wider reading to your subject knowledge, if your qualifications are not relevant you need to show how you are going to develop your subject knowledge in order to teach the subject.
- State why you have applied to this particular type of PGCE course e.g. school-based/ flexibility/ reputation.
4. Additional Factors
- Hobbies linked to the profession/ skill set e.g. value-added skills such as sport, music, language etc.
- Additional courses you have completed/ completing e.g. ICT, subject knowledge enhancement course etc.
- Further experiences planned for the future prior to commencing a PGCE course.
5. Concluding Paragraph
- State your commitment to the course, acknowledge that teaching requires dedication, stamina, time management, being pro-active
- Reinforce your reasons for being committed to teaching
- Demonstrate awareness of the physical and mental demands of the course and the profession
- Career plan – what is your goal for your teaching career?
A teacher’s must-have qualities:
- Interpersonal skills
- Ability to think of their feet
- Good time-management
Background Reading
www.ucas.com/ucas/teacher-training
Times Educational Supplement ( www.tes.com )
www.theguardian.com/education
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PGCE Personal Statement Examples
- 1 Personal Statement Example Links
- 2 Career Opportunities
- 3 UK Admission Requirements
- 4 UK Earnings Potential For PGCEs
- 5 Similar Courses in UK
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- 7 Alumni Network
Personal Statement Example Links
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Ever been inspired by the idea of shaping young minds and making a lasting impact on learners’ lives? Intrigued by the prospect of transitioning into the rewarding world of teaching?
If so, embarking on a PGCE – Postgraduate Certificate in Education , could be your ideal journey. This critical educational qualification equips you with the skills and knowledge to transform your passion into a teaching profession.
A PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) is a postgraduate qualification that allows you to teach in the UK. It is a highly sought after qualification and is essential for anyone wishing to pursue a career in teaching.
The PGCE course is an interesting and relevant choice for students as it offers them the chance to learn from experienced professionals and gain valuable insight into the teaching profession. It also provides an opportunity to develop their own teaching style and gain an understanding of the educational system. The course is also highly relevant for those looking to pursue a career in teaching, as it provides them with the necessary qualifications and skills to be successful in the profession.
👍 When writing a personal statement : Highlight your passion for the course, demonstrating your understanding of it. Use relevant personal experiences, coursework, or work history to showcase how these have fostered your interest and readiness for the course.
Career Opportunities
A PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) is a qualification that enables someone to become a qualified teacher in the UK. With this qualification, graduates can pursue a career in teaching in both state and private schools, as well as in further education colleges.
In addition to teaching, a PGCE can open up a range of other career opportunities. Graduates can pursue roles in the education sector, such as educational psychologists, school counsellors, learning support assistants, special educational needs coordinators, and school governors. They can also pursue roles in the wider public sector, such as policy makers, educational consultants, and lecturers in universities.
Those with a PGCE can also pursue careers in the private sector. They can become educational consultants, working with businesses and organisations to develop training programmes and learning materials. They can also work in the publishing industry, developing educational materials for schools and universities.
Finally, PGCE graduates can also pursue roles in the charity sector. They can work in charities that focus on education, such as those that provide educational opportunities for disadvantaged children, or those that promote educational research. They can also work in charities that focus on other areas, such as health or the environment, using their skills and knowledge to develop educational materials and programmes.
UK Admission Requirements
The entry requirements for the PGCE course vary depending on the institution, but typically require a minimum of a 2:1 degree in a related subject, or a 2:2 degree with additional experience or qualifications.
In addition to the degree requirements, applicants must also have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including English, Maths and Science.
Applicants must also have a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
The entry criteria for the PGCE course is similar to other courses in the same field, such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). However, the PGCE course does require a higher degree classification than the PGCE.
In addition, the PGCE course requires applicants to have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, whereas the PGCE does not have this requirement.
Finally, the PGCE course requires applicants to have a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, whereas the PGCE does not have this requirement.
UK Earnings Potential For PGCEs
The average earnings for someone with a PGCE will depend on the type of job they are able to secure. Generally, those with a PGCE can expect to earn between £25,000 and £45,000 per year, depending on their experience and the job they are able to secure.
The job market for those with a PGCE is very competitive, and there is a growing demand for teachers with a PGCE in the UK. Salaries for teachers with a PGCE have been rising over the past few years, and this trend is expected to continue. Additionally, those with a PGCE may be able to find higher paying jobs in the private sector, such as teaching in private schools or working as a private tutor.
Similar Courses in UK
Other university courses related to the PGCE course are the following Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Secondary, the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Primary, the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Further Education and Training, and the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Special Educational Needs and Inclusion.
The key differences between these courses are the age range of the students they are designed to teach. The PGCE Secondary is designed to teach students aged 11-18, the PGCE Primary is designed to teach students aged 4-11, the PGCE Further Education and Training is designed to teach post-16 students, and the PGCE Special Educational Needs and Inclusion is designed to teach students with special educational needs and disabilities.
Additionally, the PGCE courses all have different entry requirements, such as a degree in a relevant subject, teaching experience, and a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
UK Curriculum
The PGCE course covers a range of topics and modules related to teaching and learning. These include:
- Professionalism and Professional Learning: This module focuses on the development of professional values and attitudes, as well as the development of professional learning. It also covers the development of professional relationships with colleagues, students and parents.
- Curriculum and Pedagogy: This module focuses on the development of curriculum knowledge and understanding, as well as the development of pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning. It also covers the development of curriculum planning and assessment.
- Educational Technology: This module focuses on the use of technology in teaching and learning, as well as the development of digital literacy skills. It also covers the use of digital tools in teaching and learning.
- Special Educational Needs: This module focuses on the development of an understanding of special educational needs and the development of strategies to support learners with special educational needs.
- Inclusion and Diversity: This module focuses on the development of an understanding of inclusion and diversity in education, as well as the development of strategies to support learners from diverse backgrounds.
- Assessment and Evaluation: This module focuses on the development of an understanding of assessment and evaluation in education, as well as the development of strategies to support learners in assessment and evaluation.
The PGCE course also includes hands-on experience and practical work. This includes classroom observation, teaching practice, and the development of teaching resources.
Alumni Network
Notable alumni from the PGCE course include Professor Simon Peyton Jones , a computer scientist and researcher at Microsoft Research in Cambridge, UK. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, a Fellow of the British Computer Society, and a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery.
Professor Peyton Jones is well known for his work on the Haskell programming language and for his contributions to the development of functional programming. He has also written several books on the subject of functional programming, including “Programming in Haskell” and “The Implementation of Functional Programming Languages”.
The University of Cambridge offers a number of alumni events and networking opportunities for PGCE graduates. These include the Cambridge Alumni Network, which is an online platform for alumni to connect with each other, share ideas and resources, and stay up to date with the latest news from the university.
Additionally, the university hosts a number of alumni events throughout the year, such as the Cambridge Alumni Festival, which is an annual event held in the summer. This event includes lectures, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with alumni and faculty members.
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Writing a personal statement for teacher training
These guidelines apply to applications for a PGCE or Schools Direct which are both made through Apply on the .Gov website
Include the following:
- Your reasons for teaching: Avoid clichés like, "I've always wanted to be a teacher".
- Choice of programme: Demonstrate that you have made a well-researched and informed choice. Show your knowledge of Initial Teacher Training providers.
- Knowledge and commitment to the age range you are applying for: If you are applying for both primary and secondary places in the same application, you need to make a strong case for your preferred option.
- Subject specific commitment: Subject tutors read the forms, so if you are applying for secondary it is important to mention this.
- Enthusiasm: Selectors look for clear-headed, informed enthusiasm. You need to demonstrate you understand the demands of the profession. Why would you be a good teacher?
- the national curriculum, national strategies and subject organisations eg The Association of Science Education
- classroom management (behaviour, groups, resources, timing and pastoral care)
- teachers roles and responsibilities
- classroom organisation
- differentiation- special education needs (SEN)
- the role of ICT
- assessment for learning
- awareness of possible gaps - eg if you have a C grade in English and are applying for primary, you need to show that you are willing to polish up
- Mention any geographical restrictions you have, as these may be taken into account.
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Primary Teacher PGCE Personal Statement
If you are applying to PGCE Primary, you will need to prepare a good personal statement. Learn how to prepare your application for PGCE from our Primary PGCE Personal Statement example .
Primary Teacher Personal Statement Example
One day, I hope to become a primary teacher. Primary and secondary education have both been highly positive experiences for me. It is my desire to inspire and encourage children of all abilities to achieve their full potential that drives me to apply for primary education.
I gained valuable experience working in a primary school setting from the perspective of a teacher. The uniqueness of each child and the way each day is different is what I enjoyed most about my job. I am also applying for a History degree since this would allow me to study a P.G.C.E. after I complete my undergraduate studies. I have always enjoyed Art, particularly the early modern era up until the 20th century, a period I find fascinating. Researching the history of my family and the local area is my favourite aspect of Art history. I have arranged a work experience placement at a local primary school on Monday morning during my free periods. I have gained a great deal of insight into the challenges and situations primary school teachers face. As a teacher, I have been able to provide extra support to students who are underachieving in literacy and numeracy. I have improved my interpersonal skills immensely as I have had to communicate with children of different abilities, cultures and religions from Primary 1 to Primary 7. In addition to being challenging, it is also extremely enjoyable. I am most enjoying helping with small group work and projects with Primary 3 to 7 classes, assisting the pupils in History and English lessons, and using ICT as an educational and motivational tool. When I see pupils who struggled in these areas improve, it is very rewarding for me.
I have also participated in the school’s Community Care program, where I visited a residential care home once a week and spoke with the residents. Their personal perspectives on childhood experiences and the past were enjoyable to hear. By performing songs on guitar, accordion, and voice for residents, and reading novels and poems to them, I have become more approachable, confident, and trustworthy. I have served as Chairperson of the Eco-School’s Committee for four years in school.
Further, I have enjoyed attending debates and lectures from renowned historians such as Senia Paseta, Richard Grayson, and Philip Orr as a member of the Omagh Academy History Society. In my free time, I’m a member of the Bridge Club of Leeds.
My Queen’s Badge is something I’m aiming toward having recently earned my President’s Award. I assist in the Boy area, which serves boys between the ages of 4 and 7, in order to obtain more experience working with kids. It is my obligation to organize and present drills, games, and Bible tales. I also like to play a variety of musical instruments, such as the lambing drum, accordion, guitar, and flute. I am actively involved in the Omagh Community Youth Choir and am pursuing my Grade 5 on the guitar. I have performed with the choir as a support act for the Red Hot Chilli Pipers at the SSE Arena in Belfast.
I learned how crucial it is for primary school teachers to be able to play an instrument at school concerts and events through my work placement. I have joined the Fintona Taekwondo Club with enthusiasm. It has helped me become more tenacious, determined, polite, and disciplined. Taekwondo has helped me stay physically active, and I intend to continue practising it when I’m in college since I find it to be a wonderful stress reliever. I think I’m a good fit for this profession because I want to be a teacher in the long run. My decision to apply for primary courses has been solidified by my great experiences with work placement and volunteer work with the Boys’ Brigade’s Anchor Boys section.
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Teacher training personal statement example (primary pgce) 4.
I am currently studying for a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood studies at Birmingham University. It is my ambition to go on to study for a Primary PGCE.
I became interested in teaching whilst raising my own children. I have experienced first hand a child's apprehension and delight on first entering school at the age of five years. My children now feel safe, secure and valued in their schools and it is these experiences which have led me to realise how rewarding and fulfilling it must be to observe and be a part of children growing and learning through their early years.
I embarked on a classroom assistant course at college, but soon realised that this would not provide career satisfaction for me, leading me to embark on a degree. The time I have spent in schools and university has further reinforced my desire to teach.
I enjoy communicating with others, particularly children. Children bring a wealth of experiences to school with them, from events they have experienced at home and school, too comical anecdotes, often borne from their misunderstanding of adult conversations. I have spent time with children in reception, year 1 and year 2 and greatly enjoy communicating with children on their level. It is possible to ascertain a great deal about a child's ability and understanding through conversation and I believe verbal skills to be of great importance for both children and adults.
I am a good team worker and believe that I have demonstrated the ability to converse and work with staff at all levels within the school setting. I have enjoyed being part of a team and it is an area which I hope to extend on.
I am aware that the primary teacher, teaches across the curriculum and I realise the necessity to be proficient in all areas. I have GCSE equivalent qualifications in English, Maths and science, gained through an Access to HE course. I also understand that it is not sufficient for a teacher to 'know his/her subject' they also need to be able to recognise each child as an individual and tailor lessons and the curriculum to suit each child's ability and learning style.
However, I do have a particular interest in the teaching of literacy to young children, especially phonics. I find it incredibly interesting how, by taking reading back to basics, and learning the constituent sounds of words, children who may otherwise have struggled to read are becoming confident readers and enjoying literacy as a subject.
Whilst on placement in a year 1 class, I observed that a teachers approach to the class can have a profound effect on the learning ability of those children. I observed a teacher constantly changing the way she taught her class to maintain their interest and focus in activities. She encouraged and praised children who were finding activities difficult, giving them the confidence to try and in many cases achieve. Her positive attitude toward the children, gave them belief in themselves, leading to a positive learning environment.
I led the class in a story reading session, which was a pre-cursor to an ICT lesson. The focus was to encourage certain children to participate in whole class discussion sessions. It became apparent that whilst some children are happy to contribute in this environment others may not be, reinforcing the need for practitioners to develop strategies and activities to involve all children.
I am looking forward to beginning a placement in a local junior school in September, where I am looking forward to exploring how pedagogical strategies differ across age groups.
I feel that I have many skills to bring to a primary PGCE course and indeed teaching as a profession. I am very much looking forward to expanding my practical and theoretical knowledge and I seek to advance my knowledge of the curriculum and improve my personal skills.
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This personal statement was written by westwood for application in 2008.
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Related Personal Statements
Not bad but it is true that.
Fri, 12/06/2009 - 21:40
Not bad! but it is true that you started most of the lines with the letter I!!!!
Although, GSCE Mathematics,
Wed, 19/08/2009 - 16:03
Although, GSCE Mathematics, science and English are compulsory, I do not believe it is in your favour to highlight the fact that you do not possess a higher qualification in any of these areas. To be an effective teacher means knowing your subject in depth, in order to inspire the children and bring out the best in them as learners. I am sure you have demonstrated effective communication in you placements and you have also mentioned teaching strategies, but you have not mentioned anything about how you would succeed in ensuring their potential through your own interest in any subject area of the curriculum.
Wed, 24/07/2013 - 04:03
Fantastic blog. Awesome.
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How to write a personal statement when you have no work experience
Your personal statement is a key part of your UCAS application when you apply to university – this is your chance to show the admissions tutor who you are, what you’re interested in and why you deserve a place on the course you’re applying for. You’ve probably already researched how to write a personal statement and you know you need to include your skills, achievements and interests and demonstrate that you have the qualities that the admissions tutor is looking for. You’ll also know that admissions tutors like to hear about the work experience you’ve already gained, particularly for courses like Medicine, Nursing and Teacher Training. But what if you haven’t had the opportunity to gain any work experience?
Here at the University of Sunderland, we know it’s not always possible to gain the necessary experience before applying to university. Read on to hear our tips for how to write a personal statement when you have no work experience:
1. Demonstrate your passion, motivation and understanding of the course/role you are applying for
One thing to remember is that the admissions tutor isn’t expecting you to be an expert on the subject – after all, you’re applying to university so you can learn more and train for the role you want after you graduate. But what they will be expecting to hear from you is a sincere explanation for why you want to pursue the career path you’re on. Some people are driven by a vocation while others may experience life events that trigger their interest. It may simply be that you enjoy particular subjects at school and can see yourself working in a related sector. Whatever your motivation, make sure you demonstrate your understanding of the role as well as your enthusiasm.
Our Teacher Training team says, “Training to become a teacher allows you to understand how children or young people learn and develop. Your personal statement should clearly show your passion to make a positive change in a child's life. Work experience within a school is not an essential requirement when applying, however, for you to be able to make a decision on which sector you wish to teach in, we would recommend visiting or shadowing both primary and secondary sectors. There isn't one thing that we are looking for in your application; it's a mixture of passion and willingness to be the best teacher you can be after you graduate. Show us that you have been pro-active and researched the sector, as this will show your enthusiasm to learn and develop.”
Your personal statement should evidence a clear understanding of the course and show an informed choice of course and career. If the course you're applying for is vocational, demonstrate an insight of the opportunities and the demands and challenges of entering your chosen profession and a realistic insight into how you may develop.
One extra tip here – if you’re applying for two different courses/roles, consider writing a second personal statement and sending it to the admissions department at the university you are applying to. Make sure to include your UCAS application number and your full name so that the team can match your second personal statement to your application.
2. Reach out to practising staff or students
An alternative to work experience is to reach out to staff and current students working in and studying your chosen profession. Remember, you will be spending several years at university, particularly if you are planning to study a course such as medicine, so you want to be sure that this is the right path for you. Staff and students are often keen to share their advice and support and can give you real insight into a profession. They can share with you the current challenges of the sector, the realities of the role and answer any questions you may have. Forums such as The Student Room are great for connecting with current and prospective students. You could also sign up to university Open Days , where staff and students are available to chat to.
By reaching out to practising staff, you may also find that you make connections with people who have their own private practice and may be in a better position to offer work experience.
3. Keep up to date with current affairs
If the course you're applying for requires an interview as part of its entry requirements, it's likely you will be asked questions about current affairs in that sector, so it may be worth including some of your research in your personal statement (remembering that you only get 4,000 characters!). Consider researching topics such as the key challenges being faced in the sector, how the profession you are applying for has changed and adapted over time, and policy and guideline updates. Draw inspiration from news stories and research the relevant professional body as they will often keep their websites up to date with the latest information.
If you find a way to link the course you are applying for to current affairs, discuss what you have found interesting about that topic and explain how it has inspired your career choice. By doing this, you will be demonstrating your critical thinking, a key skill you will develop at university and will be useful to you upon graduation as it is highly valued by employers.
4. Do some further reading
A simple way to gain more insight into the course/role you are applying for is to do some further reading around the subject, which will help you demonstrate your knowledge and understanding when you come to write your personal statement. This will show admissions tutors that you're well informed and passionate about learning more about the subject, which is a sign you will be a good student.
Your reading can include textbooks, newspaper websites, professional body websites, relevant forums and even subject-related content on social media. Podcasts are becoming an increasingly popular medium for sharing and consuming information in an easy-to-digest format and could inform your further reading. Try to find ones where the host or guest is an expert in the field you are applying for – many podcast platforms will bring up a list of relevant podcast episodes if you search for a certain name.
Consider getting in touch with the university you are applying for and ask for some recommended reading, or speak to your teachers and careers advisors who should be able to direct you.
If you need further advice or support with your personal statement, get in touch to arrange a 1-2-1 meeting with a member of our friendly and knowledgeable student recruitment team? Email us at [email protected]
Published 11 December 2023
Published: 11 December 2023
Top tips for writing your personal statement
Don’t worry, writing your personal statement isn’t as difficult as it might seem when you’re staring at an empty Word document. Here are some top tips on how to write the perfect personal statement.
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A PGCE personal statement is written as part of the application process for teacher training and gives candidates an opportunity to showcase their skills and attributes.. PGCE candidates will only write one personal statement, which is used to apply for all of their preferred choices. Students upload their personal statement to the UCAS Teacher Training system, and it is submitted for all ...
Your personal statement should be: no more than 1000 words. written in the first-person. grammatically correct - we suggest writing in a document before adding to your application. your own work, don't copy from anywhere online. structured correctly with a clear introduction, evidenced paragraphs and a conclusion.
How to write it. You can use up to 47 lines of text (4,000 characters) in your personal statement. Some word processing packages calculate line counts differently from the UCAS Teacher Training system, so you might need to redraft your statement if there's a discrepancy between the counts. Write in English (or Welsh if you're applying to ...
Putting together your PGCE application relies on fluently communicating your passions and goals for the future, and why applying for a PGCE is the right move for you. To submit your UCAS PGCE application, you will need an exemplary personal statement, and an attitude to match. Read on to discover our top tips for making a successful application ...
Your structure can look something like: Introduction - about yourself and why you want to do the PGCE. Middle paragraphs - relevant information of your academic achievements and experiences of working within education. Concluding paragraph - tying up the main points of why you're the best candidate for the course.
Example personal statement for PGCE primary. In my early education, reading and writing were a challenge. At age nine I received a diagnosis of dyslexia bringing with it extra support from the school. This gave me a real determination to overcome my disability. It drove me to study hard, achieve high GCSE and A-level grades and go on to achieve ...
Personal statement for PGCE secondary. If you want to teach children aged 11 and over you'll need to apply through the Department for Education's (DfE) Apply for teacher training service. This example should be used for guidance only. Copying any of this text could significantly harm your chances of securing a place on a course.
A personal statement is a critical aspect of your application and is the deciding factor in whether to invite you for an interview. If your personal statement is poorly written, it can lead to you not acquiring a place on your teacher training. Most PGCE personal statement examples include information about the writer.
use examples based on your recent teaching experience. tailor your personal statement according to the school/age group. use good, clear, written English, using first person terms such as 'my' and 'I'. be original and honest. avoid clichés and general statements, such as 'I've always wanted to teach'. demonstrate a passion for teaching.
A personal statement is a short piece of writing (47 lines/4000 characters) which you are asked to submit in support of your application to study a PGDE/CE made through UCAS. It is your opportunity to demonstrate your skills, experience and motivation for teaching. Before you start. Remember that this is a very important part of your application.
Your Personal Statement should: be persuasive. be fluent, realistic, relevant and specific. mention young people- it is about enabling them to learn rather than why you want to teach. be honest. Avoid: overuse of short sentences all beginning with 'I'. general statements and narrative.
Here are some key skills to mention when writing your PGCE personal statement: Management skills. Organisational skills. Teamwork skills. Training and coaching experience. Direct contact and engagement with children. Communication with a range of audiences. IT and computer literacy.
UK Earnings Potential For PGCEs. The average earnings for someone with a PGCE will depend on the type of job they are able to secure. Generally, those with a PGCE can expect to earn between £25,000 and £45,000 per year, depending on their experience and the job they are able to secure.
Personal Statement Example for PGCE Secondary. My twenty-year teaching career has given me extensive skills in training and management, as well as working directly with children. As a result of these roles, I have been able to observe how my experience within teaching has impacted my ability to assess and report on a variety of issues.
Top Tips. Your personal statement should: be persuasive, interesting, enthusiastic. be fluent, relevant, realistic, specific. mention young people - it is as much about enabling them to learn as it is about you wanting to teach. be honest - if you're ambitious, say so!
Writing a personal statement for teacher training. These guidelines apply to applications for a PGCE or Schools Direct which are both made through Apply on the .Gov website. Include the following: Your reasons for teaching: Avoid clichés like, "I've always wanted to be a teacher". Choice of programme: Demonstrate that you have made a well ...
Teacher Training Personal Statement Example (Primary PGCE) 1. I have chosen to apply for a primary teaching degree because I enjoy working with children. I have a strong interest in teaching and the learning process of children. This is been confirmed by my work experience report...
Primary Teacher Personal Statement Example. One day, I hope to become a primary teacher. Primary and secondary education have both been highly positive experiences for me. It is my desire to inspire and encourage children of all abilities to achieve their full potential that drives me to apply for primary education.
Teacher Training Personal Statement Example (Primary PGCE) 4. I am currently studying for a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood studies at Birmingham University. It is my ambition to go on to study for a Primary PGCE. I became interested in teaching whilst raising my own children. I have experienced first hand a child's apprehension and delight on ...
PGCE Personal Statement Sample. Learning is natural, necessary and nurtured aspect of life. Being a teacher will allow me to become an important figure in this process, where I endeavour to impart knowledge, expand perceptions and provide life tools during a critical stage in development. Work experience, interpersonal skills and a solid ...
Here are some key skills to mention when writing your PGCE personal statement: Management skills. Organisational skills. Teamwork skills. Training and coaching experience. Direct contact and engagement with children. Communication with a range of audiences. IT and computer literacy.
PGCE personal statement advice. Hey, I am currently in my last year of university studying a degree in maths and I'm currently looking at applying to do a PGCE for next year. I was hoping anyone could offer some advice on how I should write my personal statement and maybe share your experiences as a maths teacher/doing a PGCE whether good/bad.
Here at the University of Sunderland, we know it's not always possible to gain the necessary experience before applying to university. Read on to hear our tips for how to write a personal statement when you have no work experience: 1. Demonstrate your passion, motivation and understanding of the course/role you are applying for.