Can you help me with a visa?

Our Student Opportunity: Immigration and Compliance team has specialists who can advise on whether you have the necessary Visa permissions to study with us.

• If you're considering the School Direct Salaried route and require a visa, please check the listings on the 'DfE Find'Link opens in a new window system as to which University of Warwick schools can sponsor a Visa. You will need to hold a visa that permits you to work in the UK, as you'll be required to be employed as an unqualified teacher within a school for the duration of the course.
• If you're considering the Partner Led Tuition Fee route, and you are from outside Europe (EEA and Switzerland) or, from Europe but not eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme, we can sponsor a Visa. Please check the listings on the 'DfE Find'Link opens in a new window system as to which University of Warwick schools can sponsor a Visa.
• If you're considering the PGCE University-led route, and you are from outside Europe (EEA and Switzerland) or, from Europe but not eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme we can sponsor a Visa.
• Please be aware that in order to begin the course, you will need to ensure that you have your Visa arrangements fully in place prior to the course start date. If you are applying later than 3 months before your course start date, you may not necessarily have enough time to do so - please contact the Immigration and Compliance TeamLink opens in a new window for advice.

For enquiries related to types of visasLink opens in a new window please contact the Student Opportunity: Immigration and Compliance Team at the University of Warwick where there a number of ways of speaking with an advisor.

Will I need to register with the police?

Formerly some non-EEA International students needed to register with the Police upon arrival to the UK. However the Police Registration Scheme ended on 4 August 2022. For further information, you can see a copy of the Public Notice with some Frequently Asked Questions.

What are the equivalent qualifications from overseas?

On application, you must have graduated, or be about to graduate, from a UK Higher Educational Institute or equivalent, with a 2:2 or above honours degree. You must also hold at least Grade C/4 in GCSE English Language and Mathematics (and Science, if applying for our Primary PGCE).

If you hold international qualifications, you will need to be able to demonstrate that they are equivalent to our UK entry requirements. You will need to have your original certificates & marksheets (translated where necessary). You may wish to consider acquiring an ECCTIS Statement of Comparability before applying (a document that guides universities on how your qualifications relate to UK qualifications and certificates).

Please ensure that you do not apply too late in the Admissions cycle as there could be a slightly longer admissions process, while we determine the equivalency of your qualifications.

If you find that you do not hold equivalent qualifications to GCSE grade C/4 or above, please see the entry requirements sections for Primary & Secondary for information on sitting GCSE Equivalence tests.

Do I need to take any English Language Tests?

If English is not your first language, yes, you will need to undertake an IELTS language test. All of our PGCE courses are Band B, click here for more information regarding the practical English language requirements. An IELTS test will still need to be taken if English is not your first language, even if you have a GCSE qualification. Exceptions may be made if you have been educated entirely in English for the duration of your degree and completed this within the last 2 years before the start date of the PGCE course. Occasionally, we may be able to take into account considerable English language employment history.

Separately, we will look at your English qualification from high/senior school, in order to meet the Government's DfE requirementLink opens in a new window of demonstrating an English Language GCSE qualification graded at C / 4 (or equivalent). If your school qualification is shown to be equivalent to GCSE grade C/4 but considered ‘English as an Alternative Language’ you would need to consider sitting a GCSE, iGCSE or online GCSE Equivalence test from the two accepted providers. Please see the entry requirements sections for Primary & Secondary for information on sitting GCSE Equivalence tests.

During some PGCE Interview Days, there may also be a written literacy task for applicants of all nationalities, this is to assess your current need for any future support on the PGCE course. Your interview invite would let you know if this is part of your Interview Day activities or not.

What certificates do I need to show you?

We will need to see your original certificates and transcripts in person. If your certificates are written in a language other than English, we will also need to see a certified translation alongside the original documents. If you are not in the UK, you can send scanned copies during the admissions process, but will need to show the originals in person prior to the start date of the course.

Do I need to take any Skills Tests?

No, the Department for Education's Professional Skills Tests in numeracy and literacy have now been discarded.

As a Primary trainee, your literacy and numeracy skills will be assessed during the PGCE course. Should it be found that any skills are lacking in these areas, you will be given support from your Personal Tutor, to work on any shortcomings that may be identified whilst you are training.

I've worked in schools overseas, does that count as experience?

Overseas experience in a school will be taken into account, but ideally, we would also expect you to have some experience in a UK school. This is not compulsary, however would put you in good stead for the PGCE course.

Please see our guidance on how to gain school experience.

How will I be interviewed?

Most interviews are in person at the University of Warwick's Centre for Teacher Education or our partner School Direct schools. If you have a need for an online interview, this may also be an option - please contact the Centre for Teacher Edeucation, or lead School Direct Alliance to arrange.

What fee status do overseas students have?

If you are a nationality other than 'British' selected on your application, or have spent considerable timeoutside of the UK, you may be classed as having overseas fees status unless you can demonstrate otherwise.

Please contact our Student Opportunity: Immigration and Compliance Team for advice on your fees status before you apply.

Can I apply for bursaries and scholarships?

International applicants can't apply for UK government bursaries and scholarships for most subjects, however they can if they are training to teach Physics or Languages. Please see Warwick's PGCE Fees and Funding webpageLink opens in a new window or contact student funding to ask your specific question.