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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think an English Degree is......

33 replies

Panyanpickle77 · 30/01/2008 14:22

a relevant qualification for PGCE early years? I have been rejected by a university because they have said my degree is not relevant, and they are looking for degrees in early childhood (which they failed to mention pre application!!!!) Apparently out of 110 applicants they have only accepted 8. Maybe the lady I spoke to was being nice, and didn't like to say my application was PANTS! Hey ho, rant over but all opinions are welcome

OP posts:
chocolatemummy · 30/01/2008 14:24

oh dear, what are you going to now then?

NKF · 30/01/2008 14:24

I think that's extraordinary but not based on any knowledge. That's quite competitive so perhaps they are looking for reasons to reject. Sorry you've had bad news.

tiredemma · 30/01/2008 14:24

My friend has a degree in 'Business management' and got accepted onto PCGE course. Im sure your degree is more relevant to teaching than hers. How strange.

3Ddonut · 30/01/2008 14:27

As I understand it any degree should get you onto that course, they all need teaching after all and English is VERY relevant.

Original poster
Panyanpickle77 · 30/01/2008 14:31

I'm not heartbroken, just a bit bemused! I'll have to see what happens with my second choice, but if they reject me there is something amiss

OP posts:
chocolatemummy · 30/01/2008 14:33

thought they were desperate for teachers?

I am about to enbark on another degree or master, havent decided yet, as my degree has pretty much got me nowhere and after almost 8 years I give up

NKF · 30/01/2008 14:33

Did you get an interview with the last one? It might be that there are loads of early years issues that the people with the early childhood degrees knew about and you will need to mug up on. Just a thought.

Iota · 30/01/2008 14:34

what about the Graduate Teacher programme? They accept any degree

Ellbell · 30/01/2008 14:34

How odd. I wonder if it's specifically Early Years. I am constantly (well, not constantly, obviously, but at the rate of several a year) writing references for Primary PGCEs for Modern Languages graduates and I've never heard of any problems with them being accepted. If it really is a problem, can you do a generic Primary PGCE but then specialise in Foundation Stage/KS1?

LIZS · 30/01/2008 14:34

ridiculous !

Fireflyfairy2 · 30/01/2008 14:35

As far as I know, any degree should get you onto a PGCE course!!

I know a woman who got onto hers with a history degree!

That's the whole point of a PGCE, you can do it after passing any degree

Goodness, 8 out of 110??

Original poster
Panyanpickle77 · 30/01/2008 14:35

Not even an interview.......which I find very strange! I suppose its a case of "if you don't fit this specific criteria, you don't get an interview". Tis their loss

OP posts:
Fireflyfairy2 · 30/01/2008 14:38

here

It just says bachelor degree.. doesn't mention what in though!

ColdPenguin · 30/01/2008 14:38

Sounds like me ChocolateMummy.

I have a first class honours degree in Psychology from one of the top courses in the country. Graduated 8 years ago and that degree has got me NOWHERE. NADA. ZILCHO. NOTHING.

I suppose this has something to do with the area of the country I live in and my choice to have children, but still.....

I am yet to take the plunge and decide to put myself through it all again though. You are very brave. Much respect to you. Are you a lot more confident that you will get more out of it this time?

chocolatemummy · 30/01/2008 14:52

no, I guess I just know that I need to do something more professional than a Social Policy and Psychology Degree. Actually I really enjoyed my course but I need to do something else. I was thinking of doing the Early years one actually via Open University or Masters in Education or.......I don't bloody know! lol

VictorianSqualor · 30/01/2008 14:59

If you already ahve an English degree I wouldnt do a PGCE to get into teaching I'd try the GTP instead.

ecoworrier · 30/01/2008 15:44

I find that really strange because the government is planning on making every early years setting have a graduate on board, and apparently any degree will do - I've been told my modern languages would do fine! That's not for a PGCE, but for a university-run training programme, but I would have thought a similar policy applied for PGCE.

islandofsodor · 30/01/2008 22:16

For primary level I thought that as long as your degree was in a National Curriculum subject you were fine. It's why I dropped drama in favour of music though I never went on to do the PGCE.

Is Early Years for teaching Foundation Stage 1 ie nursery and reception, perhaps that is why. Have you applied for infant PGCE places which is basically FS and KS1. They will surely accept an English degree.

alfiesbabe · 30/01/2008 22:23

How bizarre....English is a proper discipline.... whereas a degree in 'early childhood' sounds pretty lightweight to me.

lionheart · 30/01/2008 22:28

It is odd. I suppose if they are only taking 8 then they can reject you for all kinds of reasons.

Do you have any Early Years experience, as a volunteer for example, it might make them more willing to train you?

Original poster
Panyanpickle77 · 31/01/2008 11:06

They have "accepted" 8 students onto the course, but have more places to fill. The annoying part is, had they bothered to say they were only accepting that specific degree I wouldn't have wasted my time applying. I have experience working in 2 reception classes (adds up to over 4 weeks when they only ask for 2) and other experience in different situations. I've contacted the GTTR and they are looking into it for me. Hey ho, life goes on

OP posts:
ca7439 · 31/01/2008 11:15

Excuse my language but all that is a load of Cr*p
I did my pgce a few years ago. I went to interview etc... and it was all intense and ohh will i get a place or not...
then when I actually started the course, i was in total shock
i have never met such a bunch of idiots in my life.
Most of them did not have basic skills in maths and english themselves etc... and most of the course was spent teaching them the basics of maths and english etc and a bit of time left over for the actual teacing course.
Mrsaek - i would not even worry about it and if you are still interested then apply to go somewhere else.
It is their loss.
Sorry to sound unreasonable and irrational about whole thing, but that is my opinion.
mrsaek - good luck and i hope it works out for you.
Now stepping off high horse!!!

Original poster
Panyanpickle77 · 31/01/2008 11:22

Cheers ca7439, I have already re-applied, but it really rattled me. I've been a SAHM for 5 years and they actually made me doubt whether I'd be any good as a teacher but then I thought "Bo**ocks to them", their loss is my gain! Tis just very annoying that I have to wait for the next uni to decide if I'm good enough (hopefully I'll at least get an interview, not get pre-judged because I've got an irrelevant english degree lol!)

OP posts:
Tippychick · 31/01/2008 11:27

Eco-worrier, I have been told that any degree won't count as a graduate in that instance, it has to be a graduate from a Ey degree or similar. Not sure 100%, just what I've been told and I'm starting the EY degree this year, with a view to doing the PGCE and primary school teaching.

OP -Further education colleges will often offer you a job and let you do the PGCE while you actually teach if that's an option?
Or take the EY degree if you can afford to study again, the tuition fees are paid by Surestart at the moment.

Sounds like they're being a bit harsh anyway!

Alambil · 31/01/2008 12:07

They make up all sorts of excuses - just because you didn't get on this year doesn't mean they don't want you or you won't be a good teacher - just means they had to find something to say.

May I suggest getting your application ready for next year and put it in within days of the opening of applying; this is what I did this yr after being rejected last yr and managed to get on the early interviews.. I got a place too.

PGCE don't need a specific degree - they are lying; are there any other universities you can apply to?

I find the TES community really helpful in these issues too - free to register and then you can speak to other prospective PGCE students