My University course has been cancelled - just weeks before due to begin

[ErnesttheBavarian]

I am totally gutted. I applied last September. I have been in contact with them numerous times in the mean time. I have cut my hours at work in order to study (online part time course)I have bought books, I have made all sorts of plans, my future career depends on this course.

Now, just weeks before the start, they cancel the course, now it's too late to arrange a Plan B, I've dropped down to 50% at work, and worse, I don't think there's any alternative, so I'm trapped forever.

Sorry, that last bit is a bit melodramatic, but I am totally gutted and TBH bloody angry. I even spoke to them last week, and they never even hinted.....

Now I really am stuck and really upset

[ErnesttheBavarian]

Yes. I qualified in 1995. I can do any year group in England. But I'm not in England, so it means Jack Shit .

[RedHelenB]

That is what was meaning by my post and I trained 20 odd years ago. We were told though it was easier to go from younger to older but doing supply was a good route in.

[rollonthesummer]

I can see why the course has been cancelled but am surprised they're only just cancelling it now. QTS has been portable up and down the age ranges in the UK for at least 5 years

Yes, I actually thought it had been the case for much longer than 5 years so am also surprised the U.K. offered a course.

[MaisyPops]

If your QTS is from a course that specifically 5-18 then that qualifies you for both and I'd have thought they'd accept it maybe with a note from the National College. Although I've not heard a course that trains right through.

If your QTS was obtained on a course with a UK age range (3-7/5-11/11-16/11-18) then in the UK could can teach 3-18 on the same QTS. But that doesn't meant that abroad they'll accept the portability.

I can see why the course has been cancelled but am surprised they're only just cancelling it now. QTS has been portable up and down the age ranges in the UK for at least 5 years

[WeyHay]

Oh sorry - I mis read your comments here: I'll look at German and Swedish universities. Yes, university education is free here. I can speak German to the required standard, but lack confidence

But it might have to be your answer. I can quite see why UK universities are cancelling courses which are no longer required by UK education systems. We are looking at the prospect of large-scale redundancies across the university sector at the moment - it's a sector which is cutting to the bone (I write this as I start my 7th continuous day of working, so much for the university summer "vacation").

Good luck - I hope you find something. It really isn't as catastrophic as you think it is - there will be a solution.

[ErnesttheBavarian]

My QTS is for all ages from 5 - 18. That is, however, irrelevant as the Bavarian education authority will not accept it as my training was for secondary. Weyhay, I didn't say a suitable course exists. The opposite. No such course exists.

I am being rather negative. But then I have had my career progression snatched away at the 11th hour, and after 3 days searching, have yet to find a suitable alternative.

[WeyHay]

I think you'll need to do the equivalent course in Germany in German. You say there's a suitable course, and that your German is good enough but you lack confidence - could you use this as a way of developing your confidence?

And the work hierarchies and bureaucracy in Germany are such that a German qualification would be a very good thing, wouldn't it?

There are solutions - but you sound a bit catastrophic in your thinking. It's not all or nothing. I think you'd find it easier to take the next step if you think about it step by step, rather than "It's this, or nothing"

[smellylittleorange]

Just a tiny thought ...im sure you have thought of this but just in case..althpugh your course qualified in Secondary what does you QTS cert say?

[ErnesttheBavarian]

thanks sashh, I really need to think about what I want to do. I really am not sure I can face the stress of doing a whole PGCE from the start, study for 2 or more years, not to mention the cost. This was a 9 month course, costing only a couple of hundred.

It's just too much. I only need a module or 2 in primary education to demonstrate I have primary knowledge.

Needless to say the university haven't replied to my email or picked up when I tried to call them.

[rollonthesummer]

I didn't know there was ever legislation in Britain requiring this to take place? Or was it a British course specifically for those living abroad?!

[sashh]

OP

Just researching for myself and came across a flexible primary PGCE, it looks like you spend 1 month in first year and 1 month in second year on placement -would it be any good?

www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/early-years-and-primary-flexible-dl-gtpype6/

[ErnesttheBavarian]

cantkeepawayforever exactly. It's not necessary in England, therefore courses no longer exist /being cancelled.

But Bavarian authorities don't take the same approach. Like Penhacked says, British laws or accepted norms don't apply everywhere, and certainly not here in Bavaria.

What would happen if a German person qualified in Germany to teach at secondary level but then wanted to change careers to teach at primary? Good question. Bizarrely it must never happen, because no such course exists, and the Education ministry have no suggestions. They did, however, agree to accept this course. Now it's cancelled, I have no time to apply to them in advance to ensure they'll accept any alternative I might find. Flexibility is not right up there in the German mentality, not employment-wise anyway.

I do have QTS. I guess I could consider a Masters, but that is much much more expensive, in-depth and time-consuming to the original course. I'll look at German and Swedish universities. Yes, university education is free here. I can speak German to the required standard, but lack confidence.

I'll look into graduate certificate/diploma.

Thanks for any helpful suggestions!

[sashh]

Don't know anything about level 5 education thing

Don't do it, it is for teaching in FE, you can get QTLS afterwards but you have to have a permanent job so wouldn't be any good also yo would not get funding as you have QTS.

I'm in a similar situation, I wanted to upgrade my PGCE to MA but the course has been cancelled.

Have a look at Swedish universities, their courses are free for EU nationals and lots taught in English and online, a friend did some Japanese units.

Another option might be assessment only route, but would involve some time in the UK, not ideal.

You could look at distance learning in early childhood studies, as you are already qualified in the UK you might be able to do a graduate certificate or diploma.

Sorry this has happened, I know how it feels, well almost.

[mohuzivajehi]

What would happen if a German person qualified in Germany to teach at secondary level but then wanted to change careers to teach at primary?

[Penhacked]

What a nightmare. People who don't get it... Our British laws are not world laws. German authorities can ask for whatever they want. And they want someone with 'primary education' on the cert! Any part time German degrees? I thought Germany offered free uni degrees (what my friend boldly claimed)?

[cantkeepawayforever]

Bike, I think that OP is stuck in a situation where:

• The UK does not require this course, so those institutions who offer it are ceasing to do so
  

• Bavaria does require it, but does not offer it OR the OP for some reason requires the course in English not in German.
  

• German-trained teachers wouldn't be in this situation due to their particular teacher training routes.
  

Is that right, OP?

[BikeRunSki]

Not apparently legislation has been introduced to make this course unnecessary (for UK teachers) but it means I'm totally screwed

If the course is unnecessary for UK teachers, then surely you can now work as a teacher in Bavaria without further training. What am I missing?

[BakedBeeeen]

OP is not in uk.

[rollonthesummer]

Not apparently legislation has been introduced to make this course unnecessary (for UK teachers) but it means I'm totally screwed and trapped

What exactly is the legislation? If it's now unnecessary for U.K. Teachers to have it, doesn't that work in your favour?

[RedSandYellowSand]

Have you looked in Scotland? Aberdeen look to have what your after ( of course that could be the cancelled one).
Or UCL have a masters in primary teaching. Could a MA in primary be a way to satisfy the German Authorities?

[RatOnnaStick]

Is there not a German course equivalent you can take? (assuming you've been through all those options already but you never know)

[ErnesttheBavarian]

Then, I know that in England you didn't need a conversion. I know my PGCE is valid from 5 to 18. In England. But I'm not in England I'm in Germany, and the Bavarian authorities will not allow someone with secondary raining too work in a primary school. I really need this course. I've spent so much time getting transcripts etc. They have looked into it and finally agreed to recognise my qualification and give me permission to teach if I do this course bc and now they've cancelled it. Shit shit shit

[mohuzivajehi]

Is the issue that the schools in Germany require you to have a qualification relevant to the year group you swish to teach?

[RedHelenB]

You never needed a conversion qualification. As a teacher you can teach any age group in the UK although obviously you are better suited to certain ages due to degree, training and experience.

[ErnesttheBavarian]

I'm in Bavaria, southern Germany. German TT not possible. Don't know anything about level 5 education thing. What exactly do I look for and what? So annoyed they cancelled course at last minute. No time to make alternative arrangements. We go away next week for 4 weeks. Shit. Shit shit