Within the United Kingdom most university admissions is done through UCAS (Universities Course and Admissions Service). Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) is an admissions system for post graduate courses within the United Kingdom, predominantly used for the PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) course.
What course and where?
One key decision to make early on is whether to choose primary or secondary. Once or even before this is made you can easily search for courses. The GTTR site also allows you to see whether there are still places left.
How do I apply?
The GTTR is effectively an online application process. Once you have registered, you should allow between five and ten minutes to register. You are able to fill in and save the form as you go.
The form is fairly standard, however you need to specifically state your reasons for wishing to be a teacher. You will also need to justify your ability to teach your chosen subject, this could be as simple as your degree. However some courses will accept you due to previous experience. In this case you would often have to sit an entrance exam.
How Many Institutions can I apply to?
The system allows you to apply up to three courses. This could however be three separate institutions or 3 at the same institution. Although the same application is sent to each course that you apply to.
When do I need to apply by?
This depends on whether you are applying for Secondary or Primary. In the one sense Primary has a tighter deadline (in 2011 the deadline was midnight on the 1st of December). However with this deadline you are guaranteed that you application will be considered by your first choice.
Secondary applications have no formal deadline. The applications are sent to the training providers from the begining of October. The training providers can then choose to stop receiving applications as soon as the course is full. So while in the one sense, Secondary is less pressured by the deadline it is potentially a more competitive system.
One key aspect that needs to be allowed into your time frame is your reference. Once you have filled in your application, you send a copy to your principal reference. This is done electronically and the reference must be completed electronically. You cannot send your application to GTTR until you have had your reference back.
Once your reference is back you may pay and send your application. It is the date that this is done that is classed as GTTR receiving your application.
What happens next in the GTTR process?
Your application is entered into the database; you receive a welcome leaflet which includes your tracking credentials. Tracking enables you to see which course provider is currently considering your application. At this point you would then be declined or offered an interview.
If declined your application would progress to the next choice. This would continue until your options have been exhausted.
What happens if I am rejected or too late?
Depending on what dates you are at there are two options. This first is extra; this is where you can apply to one additional institution. The second is clearing, clearing is a process that universities use to fill up there spaces on courses. It takes place in August and as such does affect the timing of aspects like student finance.
However it can allow an individual to find a place within the university system.
I need help?
Most of the information you would need is contained within the GTTR website. For easy access please find links for the following key pages
important dates
Apply
Video how to's
Track
They key with GTTR is that it is a first come, first serve system. While the application you submit needs to be of a very high standard in order to appeal to course providers. The sooner your application is in the better.
Having an application ready by end of October with your reference back at this stage, particularly for Primary would be ideal.
However there are allowances and options built into the system. Do not lose heart even if you slip past the initial dates.
Source
Graduate Teacher Training Registry - Post Graduate Teacher Training in England, Wales, or Scotland.
Jonathan Fant - I have worked in Youth based Charities, I am currently working as a Learning Support Assistant. I have experience primwith ...
Join the Conversation