Different types of Initial Teacher Training
Initial Teacher Training
There are hundreds of different initial teacher training (ITT) courses available in the UK. Choosing between them is a challenge in itself, and you should be prepared to put in a lot of research.
Your choice of ITT provides the foundation for your future as a teacher. As well as deciding which age group and/or subject you intend to teach, you should consider:
The kind of ITT you'd like to completeITT courses are flexible and are designed to support a wide range of individual circumstances. You can choose from:
Trainee teachers will typically spend at least the following amounts of time being trained in schools:
As a graduate trainee, you are expected to have a good understanding of the subject or subjects you are training to teach before you start your ITTprogramme. Some subject training courses are available to help you improve your subject knowledge and understanding
Where you'd like to trainWherever you want to train, and for whatever reason, you'll find there are ITT providers all over the country for you to choose from.
The institution you'd like to attendNo two courses of ITT are the same – largely because no two ITT providers are the same. Universities, colleges and schools all display varying characteristics, strengths and entry requirements, not to mention course content and structures. If you need help choosing an ITT provider, visit our Performance Profiles website to search for and compare universities, colleges and schools. Our compare training providers page provides more information about Performance Profiles.
Your choice of ITT provides the foundation for your future as a teacher. As well as deciding which age group and/or subject you intend to teach, you should consider:
The kind of ITT you'd like to completeITT courses are flexible and are designed to support a wide range of individual circumstances. You can choose from:
- School-based training schemes, such as school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) or the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP). These courses are taught on the job with the support of experienced teachers. Lectures or discussions that cover the same material as college-based or university courses may make up part of these programmes. Please note thatSCITT is funded differently from the GTP.
- Undergraduate and postgraduate courses, offered by universities and colleges, which include at least 18 weeks spent teaching in schools.
- Online ITT courses, in which you study from your own home. The Open University and Hibernia College UK, for example, offer such courses, which are suitable for individuals who have employment and/or family commitments.
Trainee teachers will typically spend at least the following amounts of time being trained in schools:
- 160 days (32 weeks) on a four-year undergraduate programme
- 120 days (24 weeks) on a two- or three-year undergraduate programme
- 120 days (24 weeks) on a secondary programme for graduate trainees
- 90 days (18 weeks) on a primary programme for graduate trainees
As a graduate trainee, you are expected to have a good understanding of the subject or subjects you are training to teach before you start your ITTprogramme. Some subject training courses are available to help you improve your subject knowledge and understanding
Where you'd like to trainWherever you want to train, and for whatever reason, you'll find there are ITT providers all over the country for you to choose from.
The institution you'd like to attendNo two courses of ITT are the same – largely because no two ITT providers are the same. Universities, colleges and schools all display varying characteristics, strengths and entry requirements, not to mention course content and structures. If you need help choosing an ITT provider, visit our Performance Profiles website to search for and compare universities, colleges and schools. Our compare training providers page provides more information about Performance Profiles.