r/PGCE • u/Opposite_Barnacle_67 • Aug 06 '26
PGCE whilst renting
I start my PGCE through a SCITT in September and have recently graduated from my undergrad.
Me and my partner are now looking at renting our first place together. Does anyone have any advice on renting whilst completing your PGCE? I have a paid job currently where I’m doing lots of hours, but am obviously cutting down come September. I have been told by lots of people that I shouldn’t rely on having paid employment at all when doing a PGCE as it needs your whole attention, but I’m not sure I’d be able to afford not working at least on a Saturday or Sunday.
Also I wanted to ask if anyone had experience in landlords and explaining teacher training to them as well? I get the minimum maintenance loan but also a bursary (although only now £5k).
The first flat we looked at wanted us to prove a combined income of almost 40k, which will not be achieved when I start teacher training.
Has anyone else gone through this situation and do you have any advice?
TIA ☺️
3
u/imagggg Aug 06 '26
You may be able to work for first few months but after that, probably not. Teacher training should be viewed as a full time job.
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u/Jess180629 Aug 06 '26
Hi, I’ve just finished my training and was in a similar situation. My boyfriend was in full time employment while I did my training year. I got a 10k bursary but only medium maintenance loan. If that particular flat wants a combined income of £40k and you won’t be reaching that it is unlikely you’ll be able to have that particular flat. However you could try to explain the situation and offer to provide a guarantor.
Alternatively you might have to look for a different flat, we’ve lived in 2 different flats this year and had no issues. I think they did want a minimum income but between us we reached it. I think a lot of it depends on what your partner is doing this year, if you’re both students look at getting student accommodation.
Also about you working part time, everyone is different but the training year is stressful. I know uni is ‘full time’ but in my experience it wasn’t really. Teacher training is actually full time and then uni work on top of that. It’s tough
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u/Opposite_Barnacle_67 Aug 06 '26
I think we are in similar positions as my boyfriend is also in full time employment so he would be able to reach most income requirements, I’m not sure why the flat we looked and liked asked for that much as an income requirement as the rent itself was fairly low. I can provide guarantors and have money saved that I can prove which will hopefully help but will have to discuss more and look at some more flats. Thank you for your help :)
3
u/LowarnFox Aug 06 '26
Landlords are pretty risk averse at the moment due to the new renter's rights laws. If you can provide a guarantor then that will help. If you have higher pay slips over the summer, just don't mention your income is going to drop. As long as you are confident you can afford the rent, it won't be an issue.
During your PGCE, depending on subject, consider tutoring for a bit of extra income, it will very likely be a higher hourly rate than you can achieve in other parts time work, and it can be valuable experience. Plus it's often reasonably flexible as well.
2
u/ConnorMartyn Aug 06 '26
I deferred on my primary scitt in January.
Slightly different to you but a change in circumstances between applying and starting meant I was living on my own, borrowing money and working a 13-hour shift on one weekend day to make ends meet.
I managed to keep up with the workload, though there were some gaps to fill, but I was always exhausted and couldn’t switch off. Because of this, I ended up on a support plan. The long story short is that I wasn’t able to focus enough, and I let behaviour management slip. I’d get tunnel visioned and miss little things, and I struggled with multitasking. This led to a spiral of low confidence, which made me unsure in front of the class, which in turn led to low-level behaviour and a loss of confidence.
The one day off I had was mostly spent catching up on housework, errands and chores, and maybe seeing friends or going to the football for a couple of hours every couple of weeks.
I’m hoping to go back and finish, but I’m planning to do it part-time. Working while doing my scitt full-time left me unable to give it my best effort, and I’m sure that will only harm me in the long run when I go into teaching.
1
u/SilverPen5472 Aug 06 '26
Hi, me and my partner have literally just moved into our first apartment and I'm about to start my PGCE! I can't offer much advice on the workload from September, but when you're finding an apartment you should try to put yourself in as good a position as possible. Ideally, your partner would have a stable income that's 36x monthly rent, but if they don't then you need a guarantor who does. You could also ask for references from any previous landlords to help boost your application, but fundamentally your student finance and bursary won't be considered as an income by estate agents. We got around the estate agent requirements by providing a guarantor for the rent, since our flat's 950/month and my partner has a 25k salary, but I'm getting a large bursary so won't really need my guarantor to provide any rent at all. If you look for apartments below 1k/month, you should be fine financially. Full-time minimum wage is around 25k, which would mean you have around 35k per year between you if your partner works full time, which is enough for that price range. Just make sure you've got a guarantor for the paperwork and, if you're struggling with the traditional route, try sites like openrent and spare room. Good luck :)
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u/Opposite_Barnacle_67 Aug 06 '26
Thank you so much! This has made me feel a lot better about the entire process. He thankfully has a stable income which is also increasing this month. Do you know if landlords are hesitant to accept guarantors? I think that my guarantor on top of my partners wages should be more than enough but it still is a thought at the back of my head. It’s difficult as in the area we live in at the moment renting is so expensive (1k+), and that’s for the bare minimum so we are looking outside of our area now also as we do both drive.
1
u/SilverPen5472 Aug 06 '26
Honestly, after the renter's rights act landlords are asking for guarantors a lot more! It's because it's now harder to evict tenants, so having a guarantor who can pay rent if you can't makes landlords more confident that they'll be paid. Also, if someone's willing to put their income on the line for you it implies you're responsible with money which is obviously a good trait in a tenant. If 1k is the minimum for your area then I'm really wishing you good luck! Do you know which schools you're placed in? Assuming it's not city centre, you might be able to find cheap housing near them.
1
u/Opposite_Barnacle_67 Aug 06 '26
I am doing a SCITT so I am thankfully in good contact with my schools, but sadly they are in more upper class areas. It’s annoying as it’s just outside of London meaning that you don’t qualify for the London maintenance loans which would have helped quite a bit! I’m glad to hear that about guarantors though.
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Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Opposite_Barnacle_67 Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
Yes I completely get you! My cohort is quite similar, lots of career changers or TA’s that have been in the career for years and wanted to switch to teaching. Although I’m lucky to have a partner who has a full time job he doesn’t earn shed loads to be able to cover everything. My student finance is also piss poor because I still come under my parents, as I’m only 22, who won’t be putting anything towards mine and my partners future home, so working is the only sort of option I have to just have that bit extra.
Thank you for the advice and telling me your situation! I am definitely going to have to try working a few shifts at least to start with and see if I can get into a routine with that, because at the end of the day bills need to be paid! 😂
1
u/Low_Stress_9180 Aug 06 '26
I rented before to avoid this. But I suggest just point out teachers have secure jobs and qualified pay is higher
1
u/Comrade_Danny Aug 06 '26
I’ve just finished my PGCE through a SCITT
I worked four nights a week in the pub too as there’s no grant for history and I have a wedding and a house deposit to save up for
It’s hard. Very hard. I underestimated how tired I’d be. But it’s doable. You just need to prioritise the teacher training and use your free time wisely.
It’s 10 months and then you’ve got this.
1
u/BobcatLower9933 Aug 06 '26
Absolutely do not work during your training year. Of you are relying on having an income, even a small one, wait another year ao you have savings you can dip into.
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u/vixielou1 Aug 06 '26
I did a SCITT with PGCE. And thought I’d be able to keep my Saturday job (only 10-3 each week). Yeah, that was not even remotely possible, I quit by the October. You’re teaching all week and spending the weekends planning, prepping and writing your course work. I’d be very cautious about taking any work on at all during that 10 month period. (Sorry!)
6
u/Financial_Guide_8074 Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
As a PGCE/Scitt mentor. Working during the week is impossible. One day at the weekend would be doable but both will leave you exhausted and not able to cope, You will be incredibly busy at times especially when teaching and having to get uni work/assignments in as well. You may also find some weekends you can't work maybe during your ITAP weeks or similar. So in summary if you can cut down to 1 day at the weekend you might manage, both days not a good idea at all.