When deciding on my modules for study abroad, there was a lot more freedom in choosing a variety of different topics. This is largely due to a cultural difference, because in the UK where students do one set degree pathway here in the Netherlands there are a variety of modules. It's kind of like pick n' mix - you have to get approval for the ones you choose from your teachers back in your home university, but you also get the opportunity to pick out some of your old favourites which you might not have come across for awhile so long, of course, as they remain fairly relevant and you can back up your choice.
For me, this meant choosing a lot of historical modules. I studied history up to A level, and part of the reason I decided to study literature at university is because it encompasses so much of history (with the addition of many other topics, from music to art). Yet I've always been curious about what it would have been like to...
It's that time again where I tell you my favourites of the month, everything from the books that have really stood out for me, to unique experiences or fun new songs. September has passed by so quickly up until this point, and I think this is largely because I am experiencing so much all at once, what with the whole study abroad situation as well as all of my own individual projects. It is an odd combination to have but one that continues on nevertheless.
In terms of new experiences, and re-discovering old ones, September has been packed full of them. I've seen so many new places, picked up new skills and learnt such a lot - particularly about writing. This past month, I've been working on more written projects than ever in order to develop and shape my voice further academically as well as beyond the classroom. The results so far have already started to pay off which I hope goes to show that hard work really does end up being your most...
The deadline for conservatoire music courses is 1 October 2019 at 18:00 (UK time). By this date your entire application, including referee details and payment, must be completed and sent to us. Make sure you don’t miss this deadline by following these five tips.
1.Know your logins
We’ll start with the basics, it’s important you know your username and password so you can complete your application. You don’t want to be struggling to login while trying to meet the deadline. If you’ve forgotten your username or password, recover your details online.
2.Give yourself plenty of time to complete the personal statement
The personal statement may appear daunting but we’ve got plenty of advice to help...
There are a few different postgraduate teacher training routes in England and Wales. Although training programmes in England and Wales are broadly similar, the routes available, eligibility, and funding options may vary. Watch our video on the different routes into teaching to see which one is the right fit for you. Once you’ve done that, it’s time to search for some training providers!
2. Search for courses
You canfind all postgraduate teacher training programmes that have vacancies in the UCAS Teacher Training search tool. Once you hit the search button, click the name of the...
If one of your chosen training providers was not able to offer you a place, don’t worry.
Wait to hear back from all your choices
If you applied to more than one training provider on your UCAS Teacher Training application, you may still be waiting to hear back from your other choices.
Remember, training providers have up to 40 days to consider your application and make a decision. During this time, your remaining choices may also invite you to interview. While you’re waiting, find out more about what training providers look for and what they may ask.
Not holding an offer? Use Apply 2…
Once you’ve heard back from all your choices, if you still haven’t got an offer, don’t panic. Apply 2 is your opportunity to add another choice.
The good news is you don’t need to re-apply in order to use...
Teaching is incredibly rewarding but the training is tough. This is what I learnt on my training course:
1. Use your mentors
They are the most valuable asset you will have when you are training, so utilise them! Ask them if you are stuck on a lesson idea, not sure about the scheme of work, want to check you are marking assessments correctly or struggling with the workload. They've been teaching longer than you and would have gone through the exact same process and problems as you. So, you are definitely not alone when you are training.
2. Make friends with the other trainees
Other trainees are another useful asset. They are going through exact same thing as you at the exact same time. If you're lucky, you might be placed in a school with another trainee. Make friends with them. Try to have catch up sessions with them. Bounce ideas off them and vice versa. I am still friends with one of the trainees from my host...
Since I've moved away from the UK for a semester, there are lots of things which I both did and didn't expect in my new home. Living in the Netherlands is quite different from life at uni as I know it back in England, but this is an incredibly positive thing for many reasons.
So far on my journey I have learnt everything from how the Dutch swear in illnesses to the fact that I am always going to need to keep up on my reading with the standard 100 pages assigned every day. I've learnt that this is a city which stays afloat literally (with the help of specialised foundations buried deep in the earth) as well as metaphorically. This is a place of hard work, of determination and of freedom. The atmosphere is charged with something which makes me want to remain motivated enough to become the best version of myself there is. And it provides me with just enough joie de vivre that I don't spend all of my time in doors with my books.
You know when they say that time goes fast? Well, I don't know exactly who they are, but they aren't wrong. Time is still something I am settling into here, but it is already starting to go too quickly in ways. I think this is because the work pace in the Netherlands is so different to what I am used to back home. Instead of having a lot of work here all at once, it is very much about pacing things across the weeks into smaller assignments with some bigger assignments which are a product of those at the end. But more on that in a second.
If you’ve accepted a firm offer of a place on a teacher training programme, there are some important things you’ll need to do now.
Conditions to meet?
Even if your offer is unconditional, you may still have to meet some non-academic requirements, like a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. or declaration of criminal convictions. You’ll be told what these conditions are, but if you’re unsure, contact the training provider as soon as possible to confirm.
Do you need to send proof?
If you’ve met all the academic requirements in full, you may need to provide the training provider with proof. Make sure you do so as soon as possible, to avoid any delays when the training programme starts. It’s best to keep copies of everything you send to the training provider, and when you sent it, as a record in case anything goes missing.
So, now you’ve found the programme and provider you’re interested in, the next step is to register for a UCAS Teacher Training programme. It’s a short process which will ask you for basic information such as your name, address, and date of birth. You need to provide a valid email address as this will...