Entry Profiles

What are Entry Profiles?

GTTR Entry Profiles can help you make that important decision about which training providers to apply to for your postgraduate teacher training. While PGCE and PGDE courses will qualify you to teach your subject, the experience will be very different according to the training provider you choose. Which one will suit you best? Do you prefer a school-based course or a college-based course? Will you be happier at a city university, a small college, or a village school? Each offers a unique experience. But which one is for you?

If you are thinking about training as a teacher, you will need to gather and consider a lot of information before you are ready to make a choice. Entry Profiles provide details about the course, about the training provider offering the course, and the information you need about entry qualifications, selection criteria and the provider's admissions policy. This information is essential to enable you to make fully informed choices about the courses for which you will ultimately choose to apply.

Entry Profiles offer invaluable guidance to any graduate choosing a PGCE or PGDE course. They are compiled by the staff who teach the course, who understand the kind of detail you need to know about their courses, and what kind of personal qualities, interests and experiences will be helpful for you to have, in order to be a successful student on the course, and a successful teacher in your chosen subject.

What are Entry Profiles for?

To provide important information for anyone interested in applying for a postgraduate teacher training course.

To help you understand what it would be like to be a trainee teacher witht that training provider.

To let you know what the entry requirements are in terms of academic subjects or relevant experience.

To describe the course in detail.

To give you information about the training provider that is offering the course. Where are they? How far away from your home are they? What facilities do they offer? Is childcare available? Do they offer accommodation? Can they provide support if you have special needs?

To let you know what interests, personal qualities, or relevant experience the admissions staff might be looking for in their applicants.

To explain the training provider's admissions policy and selection procedures, including (where applicable) information about interviews.

How do I find Entry Profiles on the web?

  • Entry Profiles can be found on GTTR Course Search.

  • When you click on the course title you will see headings, and by clicking on any one of them, you will find more information. The first heading is 'Why train with us', which will give you information about the training provider. These differ greatly, depending on whether the training provider is large or small, a city university or a village school. You will also see headings about the course, entry requirements, selection procedures and the training provider.

Once I have found an Entry Profile on Course Search, what should I look for?

Read the information about the course. Ask yourself if this course covers the aspects of teaching that particularly interest you. Does it have the flexibility you might be looking for? How will it be taught? Will the course give you the opportunity to increase your knowledge of the subject?

Does the Entry Profile tell you about the personal qualities the training provider is looking for in applicants for that course? Does their description sound like you? Do you have the experience they say would be beneficial in their applicants, or the time to acquire it before you apply? Do you think this course will suit you?

Check the academic entry requirements. Are you studying the right subjects for entry to this course? Will you need GCSE qualifications in maths, English or science?

Make sure that you know where the course will be taught - sometimes it is not at the main campus. Will you be able to travel to lectures and tutorials easily, if you live some distance away? Will you need to travel far for the school placements?

Many Entry Profiles provide detailed information about the interview. Look for specific information about this, so that you know what to expect.

The Entry Profiles are subject to a process of continuous development and updating. To help us with this task, we welcome your comments. Please send them to coursesdata@ucas.ac.uk.