I am Samantha Chu, a Primary PGCE trainee. I am originally from Hong Kong and came to study here as an international student.

How did I find out about this course?

I always wanted to be a teacher myself, so I started doing research online about the route that will help me to become a teacher whilst I was still doing my undergraduate degree. Universities in Hong Kong also offer PGCE/PGDE programmes, however I preferred to do my studies in other places instead of Hong Kong, because I have been studying in Hong Kong my whole life. Then, PGCE programmes in the UK came up in my search engine. This is when I started to search information about the PGCE courses across the UK. I chose to study at The University of Manchester as the education programmes here have a good reputation.

Benefits of doing a Primary PGCE programme in the UK

PGCE is an internationally recognised academic qualification; this qualification is well recognised by international schools and some of them are also using the UK National curriculum. If you would like to teach in international schools (regardless of teaching in your home country or in other places) in the future, doing the PGCE in the UK will be suitable for you.

Experiences of being in a British school

I have never studied in a British school until I was offered a place on the PGCE programme. There are several differences between British schools and schools in Hong Kong which surprised me during my first placement day:

• Most British primary schools teach without using a textbook as a resource, children are provided a blank workbook, and they write notes and stick worksheets inside the workbook.
• It is rare to see students repeat a year.
• Children here start the school day later than children in Hong Kong. In the UK, children usually arrive to school at 8:45am and the school day ends at 3pm, while children in Hong Kong usually start school at 8am.

I am now doing my first main professional placement in a Key Stage 2 class for 9 weeks of the autumn term. My university and placement school mentors are both supportive and answer any queries I have. My academic mentor and I have regular in-person check-in sessions to discuss my progress or worries that I had during the placement days. I am looking forward to my second main professional placement in Key Stage 1. I would like to see how different institutions work and how teaching differs across different year groups.

Life in Manchester as an international student

The course is quite intense, we normally spend our Mondays to Fridays either in lectures/tutorials at the university or on placement in a local primary school. I am trying to use my spare time as effectively as possible. I spent some of my weekends going on day trips to cities that are not far from Manchester. The days when I am staying in Manchester, I explore the Manchester city by going to museums and galleries, to parks and, of course, trying out cafés and restaurants that are recommended by locals!

Written by Samantha, current PGCE Primary student at The University of Manchester

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