It's the end of June and we are in the high point of our admissions season. Everyone is frantically dealing with enquiries from prospects from all over the world. One important thing we are doing at the moment is inviting candidates for interviews. If you've applied for PGCE or MA programmes at the University of Buckingham, you'll probably be invited to an interview. Follow our advice on how to prepare successfully.
First and foremost, what is BISE looking for?
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Passion for teaching – It sounds obvious, but your answers should reflect your commitment and interest in the profession.
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Strong work ethic - Teaching is difficult, no matter which part of education you're in. Interviewers want to see evidence that you're up to the challenge.
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Comfortable and knowledgeable about working with children - The children you're teaching should be central when giving your answers.
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Professionalism – Whether it's having an understanding of the formal language used in teaching or how you conduct oneself, professionalism is key.
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Personality – Interviewers also want to learn about the unique parts of yourself that will make you an inspiring teacher.
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Energy – Positivity and diligence are great qualities to have in an interview setting.
Here are five angles to think about before heading into your interview.
Think of the qualities you'll bring to teaching by joining the programme
Make a list of the qualities you've got and what you'll bring to teaching by studying with us. Then think about how these can be applied to the daily tasks of a teacher.
Read about the education sector
Stay up to date with the latest in education news, the issues facing the sector and what practices and tools teachers are using today.
Look for opportunities to communicate your knowledge of the sector – it'll show you have a genuine interest in the profession.
Show passion for your subject
How are you going to inspire the next generation if you're not passionate about your subject?
Think about why you want to teach it, and why it's important.
Don't forget about your other work/life experiences
Maybe you've managed others professionally, worked within a team, communicated across departments or spent time with people from a range of backgrounds. It's all relevant, so if you spot the chance to talk about experiences aside from teaching, then talk about them.
Just remember to make the link to teaching clear. How will those experiences help you as a teacher? Your interviewer will be interested in people with all sorts of skills.
Get a good night's sleep, be punctual, join the meeting earlier than the scheduled time, dress smartly but comfortably, check your body language and speak clearly. Good luck!