BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS interview information and task
September 2025 entry
Please read this information very carefully. It explains our entry procedures, gives you a good idea of what to expect and confirms how you can prepare in advance of your interview in order to be confident on the day. Although our selection process is rigorous, please do not be anxious; we are a friendly and welcoming community who genuinely want you to succeed in your choice of a career in teaching.
Important:
All interviews will take place online on Microsoft Teams. Prior to your appointment please install the Microsoft Teams app and see further instructions provided here. Your booking confirmation and reminders include the link to join your interview.
Please ensure you have a form of photo identification at your interview, for example passport or driving license (a provisional is also acceptable) and that you have a device you are confident that you can access Microsoft teams on.
Please note:
If you are successful, a condition of your offer will be to provide clear and legible copies /pictures of your GCSE English Language, mathematics, and science certificates grade 4 or above (or accepted equivalent qualifications). You will be emailed with a link to upload these to us once your offer has been processed. If you believe you hold an equivalent qualification, please ensure you contact the Admissions Team prior to your interview to ensure that we accept it. It is vital we confirm that your qualification is equivalent. We do not accept Level 2 qualifications as equivalent.
For your individual interview your name must be visible, and your camera turned on. You must also have your photo identification available for the start of your interview.
Assessment and interview
There are two elements to the Interview:
- Prepared task
- Interview task – Please prepare before interview. (All Applicants)
The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education makes some key suggestions about how to choose quality books to use in the classroom with young readers.
These include:
- We should use books written by use a range of authors which represent our diverse society. We should not rely on common texts or our own childhood favourites (however good this might be!).
- Choose books with quality artwork which either complement or extend the story.
- When selecting information books, select texts that present information in a variety of interesting ways.
- Over time, select a range of books that reflect diversity in all ways – race, heritage, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic class, status, religion and culture. Allow children to see themselves reflected in the books at times, and through other books, to see into other worlds.
- Select books that draw children in - that have a rich plot line – that make them care what is happening. Books should be emotionally appealing.
- Select books with rich language.
Task 1 - With reference to Centre for Literacy Criteria above, select a text which represents quality children’s literature, prepare a section to read aloud (up to a minute) and be prepared to explain your choice.
Task 2 – Be prepared to explain why you chose this children’s text linked to the criteria.
Response to interview questions
You will be interviewed individually by a member of LJMU Primary team.
Each candidate is asked the same questions. We are seeking to find out why you want to teach and what qualities you feel you have to offer. We will also explore work you have undertaken in primary schools and how this has informed your understanding of the role of the Primary teacher. Each interview will last approximately 20 minutes.
All judgements of the individual interview will be based on the following criteria:
- Understanding of the full role of the primary teacher.
- Potential as a teacher in a range of school contexts.
- Communication skills, expressing views and values clearly.
- Academic ability and potential.
- Awareness of the primary curriculum and of assessment in schools.
- Awareness of children’s social, emotional and learning needs and their implications for teachers.
Interview checklist
Please make sure that:
- you have installed the Microsoft Teams app
- you are in a suitable, quiet space and will not be interrupted
- your device is charged, and power supply is available on the day
- you have your photographic identification ready
- you have prepared your book tasks for the interview outlined above
What happens after your interview
Following your interview, we will make a decision as soon as possible as to whether we can offer you a place on the course.
If you are successful after interview, we will require a copy of your GCSE English Language, mathematics and science certificates and any Level 3 qualifications you have already achieved (for example A-Levels, BTEC, etcetera). You do not need to provide these prior to interview.
Our overall decision on your application is based on all the elements of the assessment process. We are looking for a balance of knowledge, skills, experience, and commitment, which will give us the confidence that you have the potential to complete the course and progress to a successful career in teaching.
Our Admissions Team will update UCAS on our decision which you will be able to access on your UCAS Hub. We will make a decision in as timely fashion as possible after interview, usually within 2 or 3 days working days.
English test
If you are successful in gaining an offer of a place on the course, you will be required to complete an online English test as part of your conditions of offer. This is a short task, of around an hour, based on Key Stage 2 SATs papers and a short written task. You will be emailed with information regarding how to book this test after you have received your offer.
Offer conditions
Any offer is usually conditional on your achievement of specified entry requirements. You should complete the conditions by the given deadlines outlined on UCAS or this may result in your application being withdrawn.
Your offer will include:
- achieving the required UCAS tariff points for the course. If you have already achieved sufficient academic grades, we will require evidence of these
- copies of your GCSE English Language, mathematics and science certificates or equivalent (you must check any equivalence with us prior to attending interview as not all are acceptable for teacher training courses)
- successful completion of the online English Test
- obtaining a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (If you are part of the DBS Update Service and have a DBS Enhanced certificate working with children, we can accept this if you send us a copy to verify. Alternatively, LJMU will contact you separately once you have made LJMU your Firm choice)
- successful completion of Medical Clearance process (LJMU will contact you separately once you have made LJMU your Firm choice)
Please note:
You will be contacted following any offer being made with how and when this information will be required for completion and how to send this information to LJMU.
Once you make your decision
Some conditions can only be moved forward once you have made your firm decision to study at LJMU.
DBS Check and “Fitness to Train to Teach”
If you are successful at gaining a place on one of our teacher training courses, the receipt of an Enhanced DBS (formerly CRB) will be a condition of offer for your course. The DBS Check will be undertaken by the University.
Please note:
This is a multi-stage process that can take several weeks/months, so we advise you engage with this process as soon as possible to ensure that you can enrol and start on the programme.
All applicants for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) programmes must satisfy the Government requirements regarding ‘Fitness to Teach’. You will need to complete a Health questionnaire, which we will send to you. The LJMU Occupational Health Unit will process your form and is responsible for confirming that you are cleared for practice. On occasion this may involve an appointment with the Occupational Health Unit, which you would be required to attend.