Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Please send us an application form. We will keep your application on a waiting list until you notify us of having received an offer from a PGCE/ITT provider.  This offer must be conditional on completion of a SKE MFL course. Upon verification of your offer, we will be able to move you to the next stage, which is the assessment day.

Yes, you are welcome to apply to the French Extension Course. If you have no French background at all, you will be an appropriate candidate for the 2-week long ab initio course.  The French Extension Course (Higher Level) would not be an appropriate course.


I studied French to degree level at university / I am a fluent or native French speaker. Can I still apply for the course?

If you are a native French speaker, neither of our French SKE courses will be suitable.  If you have French up to degree level and require your subject knowledge refreshing before you commence your PGCE/ITT course, the French Extension Course Higher Level may be appropriate.

I studied French for a year at university. Can I still apply to the French Extension Course (not Higher Level)?
It depends. Every prospective student's level of French is assessed before an offer of a place is made, so it depends on whether you have the appropriate level of French. We aim to put together a group of people who have approximately the same background in French.

The goal is to get participants to an equivalent of an AS level by the end of the course. Therefore, if you have already achieved this level or higher previously, this course would be of limited benefit to you.

I am an overseas trained teacher in Modern Foreign Languages, but I don't have French. Can I still apply?
No. The Extension Course is a Pre-ITT course so we are unable to take on participants who have already achieved Qualified Teacher Status. For more information, please visit www.tda.gov.uk/ and insert 'Overseas trained teachers' in the search box.

The first language I am offering for my PGCE is one of the following: Arabic, Punjabi, Mandarin, Russian, Turkish or Urdu. Would I be eligible for the French Extension Course?

Yes - as long as your offer from an ITT institution is conditional on attending the French Extension Course.

I am applying for an ITT place which is not in the London region. Can I still apply to London Metropolitan University?

We encourage you to apply to the SKE MFL course provider in your region as far as possible. If it is, however, more convenient to attend at London Metropolitan University because you have accommodation for the summer in London, please submit your application to us.

What are the lesson hours?

Core lessons will be held daily from 10.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., with some days ending at 4.00 p.m. Participants are expected to be punctual and to attend every lesson and scheduled tutorial unless a valid reason is produced in writing.

Yes - lots and lots! Self-study is a key component of these intensive courses. You will be asked to complete a large amount of your self-study using the University's own online language programmes called 'E-packs'. You can find out more about the interactive E-packs by visiting e-packs. Please click on the Microsite for a sample of exercises in a variety of languages and levels. Once you start your course, you will be given a password to access the whole programme.

Unfortunately, as the course is held over the summer University holiday period, we are unable to offer any childcare facilities as these are closed.

Yes.  You will not, however, receive bursary funding, and you will have to pay international student fees.  In addition, you will require a valid visa for the 2-week trip to France/Spain.

No. Students should make the most of the language and cultural experience and the visit should be approached as an immersion programme for study purposes.