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

[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/

[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?!

[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.

[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?

[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"

[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]

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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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 .