The options
Higher education institutions
Universities, colleges and other higher education institutions offer you both undergraduate and postgraduate initial teacher training courses. With this option you will also undergo a teacher placement in schools. It is advisable that you fully research institutions before you apply. Click here to view a complete list of higher education institutions offering ITT.
Teach First
The Teach First programme is an independently provided course of ITT, leadership training and commercial work experience, intended for the most talented graduates. Teach First recruits on university campuses. During the autumn and spring, Teach First maintains a targeted presence through presentations and careers fairs, and runs specialist events to engage with undergraduates and graduates. Find out more about where they recruit in Events near you.
Teach First runs assessment days which have been developed with employer partners and education specialists to select outstanding graduates. The selection criteria are among the most rigorous of any employer. To find out more about the selection process and to apply click here. To find out more about the qualifications that you will need to apply visit the TDA website.
Schools
You can choose to complete your initial teacher training at a school, either through a set school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) course or an employment-based programme, tailored to you by a employment based initial teacher training provider (EBITT provider).
- Graduate teacher programme (GTP) – The Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) is an on-the-job training programme that allows graduates to qualify as a teacher while they work. On the GTP you will be employed by a school, earn a salary and towards QTS all at the same time.
- Registered teacher programme (RTP) – The RTP provides a blend of work-based teacher training and academic study, allowing non-graduates with some experience of higher education to complete their degree and qualify as a teacher at the same time.
- Overseas trained teacher programme (OTTP) – If you are qualified as a teacher inside the EU, mobility laws apply and you can access teaching positions in the same way as home trained teachers.
If you are qualified as a teacher overseas and outside the EEA, you may be eligible to work in England as a temporary teacher without QTS for up to four years. This programme is currently available in England only.
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