FAQs
SCITT Programme/Placements/PGCE
Q: Would it be possible to train on a part-time basis?
A: We offer a part-time option for secondary shortage subjects. Speak to the team for more information.
Q: Is there the opportunity for current unqualified teachers/school staff to train with IFT but remain at their current school?
A: Yes, we work in collaboration with schools and candidates who are looking to secure teacher training pathways within their current school settings.
Eligibility
Q: What qualifications do you need to do SCITT training? Can I do teacher training without a degree?
A: To train to teach you MUST have a first degree - ideally an Honours degree with grade 2.2 or higher. Your degree must be accredited from a UK university or be an equivalent international qualification that has been approved by ENIC as being UK degree level.
Q: What is a foundation degree?
A: A foundation degree is a degree with a grade of less than 2:2. If you have a foundation degree you will need to supplement this qualification to start training. Speak to the team for more information.
Q: I don’t have GCSE English or Maths at grade C/4 or above?
You can still apply for teacher training, but we will require you to pass an equivalency test before we confirm any offer that we make.
Q: I have Level 2 qualifications in key and functional skills. Are these equivalent to GCSE's?
These are not considered to be equivalent to GCSE's in terms of content. Candidates with these qualifications should sit an equivalency test or a GCSE.
Q: I have a degree and GCSE's in Maths and English - can I still apply for Primary training?
A: For Primary training, applicants need to hold a degree and GCSE's in English, Maths and Science with a grade 4(C) or above. An equivalency test could be undertaken if you do not currently hold a GCSE in any of the Science subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics).
Q: I have a degree but not in the subject I’d like to teach. Am I still eligible to teach this subject?
A: Yes, if an applicant does not have a degree in the subject that they are applying to train to teach, they must have an A level in that subject at C or above and will be required to undertake an SKE programme as a condition of their offer.
Primary candidates do not need to have a degree in a national curriculum subject.
Q: What if I no longer hold records of my GCSE qualifications/certificates?
A: As part of the ITT requirements, we need to be in receipt of your degree and GCSE certificates prior to commencing the programme. If you have lost your certificates, we can discuss how you can evidence these.
Q: What if it has been a long time since I completed my degree?
A: We may recommend that you take a Subject Knowledge Enhancement course prior to starting your teacher training. These courses are designed to top-up or refresh your subject knowledge. They vary in duration and can be completed online. SKE's are only available in certain shortage subjects. It is not possible to sign-up for an SKE until you have received an offer from us.
If you are applying for a subject that is not supported by a SKE course, we will ensure that you have access to reading lists and a contact with your subject department, and may also recommend spending time in your host school before starting your course. In certain circumstances it may be a condition of your offer that you fund a full SKE programme prior to starting the course.
Applications
Q: I'm in my final year of university and yet to complete my exams, is this a problem?
A: When you make an application, you will need a university reference from your tutor who should state a predicted grade. Any place offered will be conditional on your degree being awarded as a 2.2 Honours or higher.
Q: Would you progress an application without prior "in-school" experience?
A: Yes, it is not a DfE requirement to have school experience although on your application you should list any relevant experience you may have had in working with children. Our regional hubs do offer School Experience for anyone considering applying to train to teach please contact your local hub for more information.
Overseas Applications
Q: What if I am applying from overseas?
A: We welcome applications from abroad. However, you must have the right to work in the UK confirmed BEFORE you make an application to our course. All applicants must demonstrate high standards of written and spoken English.
Please note that we do not sponsor Tier 4 or Tier 2 visas.
From 01/01/21 the new points-based immigration system will apply to trainee teachers from overseas which also includes EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals.
Following the UK's departure from the EU, it has also been confirmed that most EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will not be eligible for support from Student Finance for courses starting from September 2021.
Q: I have a non-UK degree - how do I go about assessing whether my degree/qualification is eligible or not?
A: If your degree is from outside of the UK, you will need to contact ENIC to get a statement of comparability. You can also do this for any high school qualifications you studied abroad to determine if you hold A-level and GCSE equivalents. We assess your NARIC statement upon application.
Please visit the ENIC website for more information. (www.enic.org.uk)
Q: What if ENIC / NARIC confirms that English was studied as a second language and is therefore not equivalent to a GCSE?
A: If you studied abroad and do not have an English GCSE equivalent, you will need to obtain a GCSE or equivalent qualification with a grade 4 (C) or above prior to commencing the training programme.
Finance
Q: As a fee-funded trainee, how can I pay for the training year?
- Self-finance: tuition fees are paid by the individual – invoiced each term in the ratio 25/25/50% of course fees
- Tuition fee loans: check eligibility via the Student Finance England/ max value £9,535
- Maintenance loans: Can be used to help fund living expenses for the year. Apply directly to Student Finance England.
- Bursaries: Available for certain subjects only, more information can be found on the DfE website. You can either just take a bursary only / or top up the bursary with a tuition fee loan. Main eligibility requirements: minimum 2.2 degree / you are a UK national or have ‘settled status’ / you normally live in England / have been ordinarily resident in the UK for 3 continuous years before the 1st day of your course.
- Scholarships: Again these are only available in shortage subject areas defined by the DfE. The payment schedule is the same as the bursary schedule. You can’t apply for a bursary if you have been awarded a scholarship.
Q: Would I be able to apply for the subject bursary/scholarship despite having a degree in another (non-bursary) subject?
A: Yes - it is the subject that you want to train to teach in, not the degree subject, that triggers the bursary.
Q: How do I apply for student finance?
A: Applications are made directly by the trainee to Student Finance England (SFE). We will send out all the information that you need to know. You need to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and that the SFE have your bank details.
Q: If I already have an outstanding Student Loan (from my first degree), am I able to apply for a further loan?
A: Yes, you are able to apply for an additional tuition fee loan to support your ITT training.
Q: How do payments work?
A: Tuition fees are paid directly to IFT for the course costs – you will not receive an invoice for course fees if you have a loan.
Bursaries / scholarships are paid directly to the trainee’s bank account. The 1st payment is made at the end of October and there are 10 instalments. If applying for a bursary only, IFT will invoice for the cost of the SCITT tuition fees over the 3 terms in the ratio 25/25/50%.
Maintenance loans or other additional support that is awarded will be paid directly to the trainee’s bank account.