This page has been created to give you all the information you need to prepare for your online interview. It is essential that you read all the sections carefully. Please note for this course we’re offering online and on campus interviews. If you have applied for both our Primary Education with QTS and Primary Early Years Education with QTS courses, we’d like to invite you to attend one interview where you will be considered for both programmes, rather than ask you to attend a second interview.
Important information
Whilst your online interview is taking place, please ensure that you have no one else present in the room with you – this will allow you to focus fully on the online interview without distraction.
There will be no requirement for you to attend the University – your interview will be online, conducted remotely using Blackboard Collaborate.
You should be able to view the date and time of your interview on UCAS Hub along with your individual joining link. If you cannot view your joining link, please contact our Admissions Team [email protected]
You need to confirm that you will attend your interview via UCAS Hub.
Your online interview link can be accessed 15 minutes before the start of your interview. Please access the link at least 5-10 minutes before your scheduled start time to make sure you can connect and to ensure your camera and microphone are working. If you experience technical difficulties or connectivity issues then we may need to rearrange the interview for a different date and time.
You should allow approximately 1.5 hours for the online interview process.
How to use Blackboard Collaborate
- Join your online interview on a device – such as a PC, tablet or something similar, and we would advise using Chrome or Firefox as your browser. Please ensure that your browser is fully up to date.
- If you would prefer to access the session in the Blackboard App please download the app called Blackboard Collaborate TM Mobile, which, using Google Chrome as your browser, you can find in your normal app store.
- If you experience any technical issues, please visit the help page.
Please follow the steps below when accessing the interview link:
- Open the link in your browser
- You will then be able to see the session you are joining and there is a place for you to type your name. Please ensure you type your full name and UCAS ID Number and select ‘Join Session’.
- Each session will be hosted by a member of Edge Hill University staff. They may not be in the online room when you join, however please stay online.
- You can join with your camera and microphone switched off and you will be advised by the member of staff when it is time to switch them on.
What we’re looking for
The interview has been structured to enable you to demonstrate your commitment to becoming a teacher and your enthusiasm for education. You need to show that you can engage in discussion contributing both as a speaker and as a listener. You will be given the opportunity to demonstrate the contribution that you could make to the programme and, ultimately, to the education of children.
Throughout the interview process we will be looking for you to demonstrate:
- a commitment to and enthusiasm for working with children,
- strong verbal and written communication skills,
- the personal attributes and values required to train as a teacher,
- the ability to reflect on experiences and the learning taken from these.
Our aim at interview is to be able to identify the highest quality candidates. Therefore, performance in all aspects of the interview will be taken into consideration:
- Interview tasks (including the written, mathematics and the group tasks)
- Individual interview
What to expect at your online interview
You should allow approximately 1.5 hours for the interview process.
The interview will consist of different parts:
- A written task: you will be asked to complete a short, written task whereby you need to answer a given question (you will require a pen and paper). You will also be required to photograph your finished work and email it to Edge Hill.
- A Mathematics task: you will answer a series of Maths-related questions. Please have an additional device available (eg mobile phone) which allows you to scan a QR code.
- A group task: you will be required to discuss something related to an Early Years classroom, as part of a group
- An individual interview: you will answer a series of questions designed to assess your suitability for the course.
The interview will be with at least one member of the Edge Hill University Partnership and will cover:
- your reasons for applying for this programme,
- the role of the teacher,
- your own skills and attributes and how these might support you in being an outstanding teacher,
- current issues relating to Early Years education.
Things to do before your online interview
It is essential that you:
- have your individual Blackboard Collaborate link. Please contact our Admissions Team [email protected] if you cannot view this on UCAS Hub.
- dress appropriately. You should present yourself as a future professional.
- have read all the information in this document and made a note of the items you need to have with you and any questions that you want to ask during your online interview.
- have checked your camera, microphone and wi-fi are working prior to the interview.
- have thought about, and can explain, why you want to teach children in the Early Years age range and Key Stage One.
- have familiarised yourself with current educational issues. Useful publications include:
- The Guardian Educational Supplement (published on Tuesday)
- The Independent Educational Supplement (published on Thursday)
- The TES magazine (published on Friday)
- Appropriate websites include:
What to have with you
Photographic ID
Please have to hand your original photographic ID (ie. current valid passport or photo-card driving licence). Your ID will be checked at the start of the process. If you do not have suitable ID on the day, you may not be able to take part in the online interview and may have to reschedule for an alternative date.
A Mobile Phone
Please ensure you bring a device that will scan a QR code (eg a mobile phone).This must be a separate device to the one that you use to conduct your online interview. If you do not have a separate device on the day, you may not be able to take part in the online interview and may have to reschedule for an alternative date.
Pen and Paper
Please have with you a pen and some writing paper to be used as part of the written task.
Any questions?
We look forward to meeting you at your online interview. If you have any questions or special requirements that you would like to discuss with us prior to your interview, you can contact us in the following ways: