Having checked the university prospectuses and web pages and being confident that you meet the academic criteria it's now time to complete your application for Initial Teacher Training.
There are two possible routes depending on whether you're applying for undergraduate or graduate teacher training.
Applying to undergraduate teacher training:
Application to these courses, just like all other UK undergraduate courses, is handled by the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
In days gone by this used to be done using a paper form but now it's all done electronically using the Apply system. This has the big advantage of allowing you to fill in your details online, save them on the UCAS server and then return to adjust them later on - there's negligible chance of losing your data since it's stored at their end.
The online application form, just like the previous paper version, has five main sections:
1. Personal Details
2. Choices
3. Education and Qualifications
4. Personal Statement
5. Reference
The personal details section asks for your name, date of birth, address and that sort of thing. It also asks for you to provide details of all your academic qualifications (type, date, awarding body) and employment history.
The personal statement is an opportunity for the applicant to write a few paragraphs of prose in an attempt to sell them self to their university choices. Here you would include your reasons for applying, details of any relevant work experience, alternative qualifications and personal skills.
The reference section is an academic type reference provided by your school, college, employer or someone else neutral - preferably of some standing - who knows you well.
You can follow the progress of your application online using UCAS's Track system. You will receive email updates when changes occur with the status of your application. Your university choices will also keep you informed about the progress of your application by post.
When all of the universities have made a decision you have to choose which offer to accept. If you are rejected by all of your choices or choose to withdraw you will have the opportunity to enter the UCAS Clearing process. Clearing is a collection of unpopular courses that are under subscribed so desperate to fill their places.
Applying to graduate teacher training:
Applications for these courses are handled by the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR), which is also a part of UCAS.
All applications are made electronically using the Apply system. Unsurprisingly the online application form is very similar to the UCAS version and has the same five main sections:
1. Personal Details
2. Choices
3. Education and Qualifications
4. Personal Statement
5. Reference
Again, the form can be completed in multiple sessions and is saved on the GTTR server for convenience.
One slight difference is that the GTTR require two referees. Once you have completed and approved all other sections of the form you send an electronic reference request to your principal referee. The form can not be modified subsequent this request so it's important to double check everything is correct beforehand. The application will not be processed any further (e.g. sent to your choices) until the principal referee has provided a reference - this being the case it's important to stress the urgency of the task when you initially approach the referee.
The GTTR website also offers a Track facility where applicants can monitor the progress of their application.
You will receive email updates when changes occur with the status of your application. Your university choices will also keep you informed about the progress of your application by post.
There are two possible routes depending on whether you're applying for undergraduate or graduate teacher training.
Applying to undergraduate teacher training:
Application to these courses, just like all other UK undergraduate courses, is handled by the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
In days gone by this used to be done using a paper form but now it's all done electronically using the Apply system. This has the big advantage of allowing you to fill in your details online, save them on the UCAS server and then return to adjust them later on - there's negligible chance of losing your data since it's stored at their end.
The online application form, just like the previous paper version, has five main sections:
1. Personal Details
2. Choices
3. Education and Qualifications
4. Personal Statement
5. Reference
The personal details section asks for your name, date of birth, address and that sort of thing. It also asks for you to provide details of all your academic qualifications (type, date, awarding body) and employment history.
The personal statement is an opportunity for the applicant to write a few paragraphs of prose in an attempt to sell them self to their university choices. Here you would include your reasons for applying, details of any relevant work experience, alternative qualifications and personal skills.
The reference section is an academic type reference provided by your school, college, employer or someone else neutral - preferably of some standing - who knows you well.
You can follow the progress of your application online using UCAS's Track system. You will receive email updates when changes occur with the status of your application. Your university choices will also keep you informed about the progress of your application by post.
When all of the universities have made a decision you have to choose which offer to accept. If you are rejected by all of your choices or choose to withdraw you will have the opportunity to enter the UCAS Clearing process. Clearing is a collection of unpopular courses that are under subscribed so desperate to fill their places.
Applying to graduate teacher training:
Applications for these courses are handled by the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR), which is also a part of UCAS.
All applications are made electronically using the Apply system. Unsurprisingly the online application form is very similar to the UCAS version and has the same five main sections:
1. Personal Details
2. Choices
3. Education and Qualifications
4. Personal Statement
5. Reference
Again, the form can be completed in multiple sessions and is saved on the GTTR server for convenience.
One slight difference is that the GTTR require two referees. Once you have completed and approved all other sections of the form you send an electronic reference request to your principal referee. The form can not be modified subsequent this request so it's important to double check everything is correct beforehand. The application will not be processed any further (e.g. sent to your choices) until the principal referee has provided a reference - this being the case it's important to stress the urgency of the task when you initially approach the referee.
The GTTR website also offers a Track facility where applicants can monitor the progress of their application.
You will receive email updates when changes occur with the status of your application. Your university choices will also keep you informed about the progress of your application by post.