At ARU we're looking to select dedicated and ambitious future teachers, which is why we hold interviews for all places on our BEd (Hons) Primary Education with QTS degree course.
Our selection process gives us the opportunity to select the best candidates, but also gives you the chance to get to know ARU and explore all that we have to offer. You'll have the opportunity to meet the course team and ask questions throughout the event.
Your BEd (Hons) Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status selection event, which includes an interview, will take place in person on our campuses in Cambridge, Chelmsford or Peterborough, or online via Microsoft Teams.
Please refer to the interview dates on your Applicant Portal to determine whether your interview will be on campus or online.
The event includes:
We hold a number of selection events, and current availability can be found in your Applicant Portal. Here you'll be able to choose the date and either the campus you wish to attend, or an online event. Please:
Once you've chosen your date, you can amend it up to five working days beforehand through the Applicant Portal. At this point, only dates with availability will be shown.
If you have selected an online event via Teams, the link to your Teams selection event will be sent to you by email. This will be sent at the earliest two days before the selection event. Please let us know on the day of your selection event if you have not received a link. We would encourage you test your IT equipment ahead of time to ensure a smooth start to the event. Due to the tight schedules we work to, we may not be able to meet with you if you do not join the event on time.
If you've booked a place and are unable to attend, please contact us at [email protected].
The interview is an opportunity for you to talk about your knowledge, skills and experiences as well as why you want to be a primary school teacher. The questions are designed to get you talking and allow you to show us your competencies. You can also ask us questions to find out more about the course and the campus.
All interviews are undertaken by School of Education staff and education professionals. The interviewers will be taking notes so that we have a record of what you say. The interview will take approximately 30 minutes. There will be a maximum of two people interviewing you. At the start of the interview, you'll be asked to take part in a five-minute discussion (see below).
Please prepare a five-minute discussion focused on how you would use a children's book to support children’s learning. This will form part of your individual interview.
You may wish to discuss:
If you have other ideas, please include these within the time limit.
You are encouraged to bring along the book to share as part of your discussions, however this is not essential.
Please do not prepare a PowerPoint or other visuals.
Your selection event will last for approximately two to three hours. We cannot give an exact finish time, so please keep your post-event travel arrangements flexible.
Guests are welcome to make use of our campus facilities but won't be able to accompany you during the event.
At your selection event we'll ask to see photo ID as proof of your identity. This should be the same document that you've uploaded to the Applicant Portal.
Our interviewing team will check your ID, which can be:
You must bring at least one of these documents with you to your selection event.
If you are unable to provide any of these forms of ID, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible.
All our campus buildings have step-free access and accessible lifts. There is limited disabled parking at each campus; please book in advance by emailing [email protected].
If you have any specific requirements related to the selection event or the process on the day, please contact [email protected] and let us know. We may need to offer you an alternative if we are not able to accommodate your requirements at your chosen selection event.
We aim to notify you of our decision as soon as possible so that you can accept your place if you are successful and start preparing to join us. You'll be notified of the outcome via UCAS.
If you're offered a place you'll need to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate; this will be one of the conditions of your offer.
We'll contact you with details of our DBS application process and other safeguarding checks after you've firmly accepted your offer. We will meet the cost of this initial application.
You will also be required to be occupational health (OH) checked. An OH check is designed to promote and maintain the health and wellbeing of our students, so they feel comfortable and secure and can work to the best of their abilities. The OH check enables adjustments to be made to ensure a safe and healthy environment during your studies and in placement. Our OH providers will be in touch with you directly to arrange a check once you have firmly accepted our offer (from April 2024 onwards). You will not be charged for this check.
Please reply promptly to all DBS and occupational health requests as failure to do so can delay your registration on the course.
There are several things you can do to prepare for your selection event:
We encourage you to allow plenty of time to arrive at your event. Due to the tight schedules we work to, we may not be able to see you if you arrive late.
You won't be able to re-apply to our BEd (Hons) Primary Education with QTS in the same academic year (including Clearing), but you can apply for future years.
If you would like feedback, our Admissions Team can provide details for those who specifically request them. This will not be detailed feedback but may help you consider areas of strength and those for development. Requests should be sent to [email protected].