Primary Education and PGCE Interviews

f you’ve been shortlisted, you’ll receive an email inviting you to select a date and time on the applicant portal (opens in a new window). Our courses are extremely competitive, so we advise you to respond as quickly as possible to secure a date. You must respond within 7 days of receiving the interview invite email. If you’re having any issues booking, please let us know immediately at ad.interviews@northumbria.ac.uk.

If you can no longer attend, you can usually rearrange through the applicant portal by using the cancel interview button, then the book interview option to select a new date. Please only do this if there’s a genuine reason that you can’t attend, as there may not be other dates available as the cycle progresses. If there are no dates available, or you’re unsure, please email us before cancelling.

If you no longer wish to be considered for an interview, please cancel your place as soon as possible on the Event tab so that another applicant can take it. As soon as you’ve booked on the applicant portal, you’ll receive your interview booking confirmation email, which includes your Microsoft Teams link (if your interview is on Microsoft Teams) and pre-interview information.

For Microsoft Teams interviews

• A computer, tablet, or smartphone with a working camera and microphone. If you’re asked to share your screen, you’ll need a laptop or computer.
• A reliable internet connection
• A form of valid photographic ID to show during your interview, such as a passport or driving licence
• A quiet, well-lit space where you won’t be disturbed

For face to face (in person) interviews

• A form of valid photographic ID to bring with you and show at your interview

Your interview booking confirmation email includes your Microsoft Teams link and pre-interview information.

• Please test your camera, microphone, and internet connection before your interview.
• Choose a quiet, well-lit space where you won’t be disturbed, ideally with a neutral background.
• Join at the time given in your interview booking confirmation email. Please don’t join too early, as you may be asked to leave and re-join whilst other interviews are in progress.
• Have your valid photographic ID ready to show at the start of your interview.

Face to face interviews are held at our Coach Lane Campus. Your interview booking confirmation email will confirm details about arrival, check-in, travel, and parking. Please plan your travel to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Don’t forget to bring a form of valid photographic ID.

Further information about Coach Lane Campus is available on the Coach Lane Campus page. There are no additional planned activities when attending a face to face interview. You’re free to explore the general open access campus facilities after your interview, but you won’t be able to visit specific teaching spaces related to your course. If you’d like to see more of the University, we hold Open Days throughout the year.

Your interview will be a group interview. For some courses there may be a video to watch in advance, a written test, or a scenario to read. You can find the details of your interview in the events tab on the applicant portal. Your interview booking confirmation email will include more pre-interview information.

Our courses are extremely competitive and largely involve working collaboratively with others in public facing roles, so it’s important that you prepare in advance.  As your interview is a group interview, please participate and engage in discussions, and don't read from notes or scripts.

Please also read our interview guidelines before your interview.

Your interview will be reviewed by our academic team. We aim to let you know the outcome within 5 working days, though this may take longer during peak times. Depending on your interview performance or score, we may not always be able to make a decision straight away. If your score is close to our decision point, we’ll let you know it needs further review by the academic team, and we’ll aim to get back to you as soon as possible with a final outcome on your application. We’ll let you know through the Northumbria applicant portal, UCAS (if you applied through UCAS), and your offer letter.

Please contact us at ad.interviews@northumbria.ac.uk if you haven’t heard from us after 10 working days. In some instances, if we’re unable to offer you a place on your chosen course following your interview, you may be made a change of course offer, which is an offer on a different course. Any change of course offer will be communicated to you.

Face to face and Microsoft Teams interviews will be offered, and your interview invitation will confirm which applies to you. If you need a reasonable adjustment for your interview, please contact us at ad.interviews@northumbria.ac.uk as early as possible. If you’re comfortable doing so, please let us know what support you need so that we can make suitable arrangements.

Primary Education and PGCE interviews are live. Face to face and Microsoft Teams interviews will be offered, and your interview invitation will confirm which applies to you. Face to face interviews are held at our Coach Lane Campus.

As soon as you’ve booked on the applicant portal, you’ll receive your interview booking confirmation email. It includes your Microsoft Teams link (if your interview is on Microsoft Teams) and pre-interview information.

Join at the time given in your interview booking confirmation email. Please don’t join too early, as you may be asked to leave and re-join whilst other interviews are in progress.

Please bring a form of valid photographic ID to show at your interview, and plan your travel to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Details about arrival, check-in, travel, and parking are in your interview booking confirmation email.

In most cases you can rearrange through the applicant portal by using the cancel interview button, then the book interview option to select a new date. Please only do this if there’s a genuine reason that you can’t attend, as there may not be other dates available. If you’re unsure, email us before cancelling.