Job Discussion Forums

[jar]

This may be a rather stupid question, so sorry if it sounds daft.

What is the difference between applying through GTTR to do a PGCE course as opposed to just applying directly to the university itself???
Are there any benefits?

[foss]

I didn't think you had the choice. Don't you have to through the GTTR?

[Chris_Crossley]

The GTTR acts as a centralised clearing-house for all applicants wanting to undertake PGCE courses, just as UCAS acts as a clearing-house for (nearly) all applicants wanting to undertake first degree programmes in the UK. Hence, you would not be able to apply to do a PGCE at any university by applying to them directly - EXCEPT the flexible, part-time Open University PGCE programme, which cannot be studied on a full-time basis (although the teaching practice periods are full-time). Check out the website of any uni offering a PGCE on a full-time (usually nine-month) basis (apart from the O.U.) and you will see that they tell you to apply via the GTTR.

[zippy2k]

There is one other university that provides a PGCE course and handles its own applications - The University of Paisley (Scotland).

I got an interview with them without going through the GTTR.

[Russell Hadd]

As long as you as willing to accept second (or maybe third) best then you can by pass the GTTR these days. A student who was coming to me for English last year has just got on to a PGCE and she applied two weeks ago. She didn't get any of her GTTR choices but phoned round and was willing to up root.