For 2024 entry, you will need:

• A minimum of a Level 3 qualification in all the specialist subjects1 they will be teaching (if different to degree subject)
• GCSE English at grade C/4 or above (or OfQual approved equivalent2)
• GCSE mathematics at grade C/4 or above (or OfQual approved equivalent2)
• Where English is not the applicant’s first language: The ability to communicate fluently, accurately and effectively in professional spoken English (IELTS 7.5 with no element lower than 7.0 (or equivalent) 3
• A teaching contract or a voluntary placement across two institutions, that includes:
• A minimum of 150 hours of teaching practice (including 20 hours online synchronous teaching)3
• A minimum of 100 hours of non-teaching practice
• A named subject specialist mentor in the primary placement location
• A named pastoral mentor in the primary placement location
• Completion of a satisfactory course interview
• Completion of a satisfactory subject interview
• Provide confirmation of an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Pre-service applicants wishing to teach in a school, or sixth form attached to a school will also checked against the prohibition list

Prior Learning and Experience

University Centre St Helens welcomes applications from mature students (aged 21+) and students from a varied range of backgrounds and experience. Offers of a place on the degree will not be based solely upon academic qualifications alone and related skills gained in the workplace will also be considered.

Additional Entry Requirements

All suitably qualified applicants will be invited to attend an interview. Your interview is designed to provide you with an opportunity for you to discuss and explore your career interests with the Programme Leader.

DBS Check

Your placement will require you to have an up-to-date DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate. The current cost of this is £44 for an enhanced check. If you are already employed as a teacher, this will already have been done by your employer.

If you have criminal convictions or cautions, please do not be put off from applying for this qualification. Your acceptance will depend on the nature of any convictions and will be at the discretion of University Centre St Helens and your placement provider.

Teaching Placement/Place of Work

It is a mandatory requirement of this qualification that when in the placement/place of work, the trainee teacher is assigned a subject specialist mentor. The mentor must be prepared to attend an initial mentor training session delivered by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), as well as support the trainee teacher on a weekly basis throughout their teaching placement/place of work.

University Centre St Helens may be able to provide some voluntary teaching placements within St Helens College and Knowsley Community College’s curriculum departments, but places are limited and are subject to availability, references and DBS clearance.

If you are a pre-service applicant, you need to take responsibility for finding yourself a suitable teaching placement as a condition of this qualification, in order to undertake the required minimum teaching hours in each year of the two-year programme.

If you are not currently in a teaching role, then as a pre-service applicant, you could apply to St Helens College and Knowsley Community College to see if any volunteer teaching placements may be available.

There is a process for applying for a volunteer teaching placement and it is carried out by our Human Resources Department. For further information on volunteer placements, please contact Sheila Halse on SHalse@sthelens.ac.uk or 01744 623848.

Information for International Applicants

If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national, you may need to apply for a Tier 4 visa in order to enter and study in the UK. However, please note that University Centre St Helens does not hold a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence to support student visa applications.