During August and September 2023, we planned a series of email communications to candidates to help them prepare for the 2023 to 2024 recruitment cycle for initial teacher training (ITT).
The issue
The 2023 to 2024 recruitment cycle starts on the second Tuesday of October every year. This year, that date was 10 October 2023.
To help candidates prepare for the new cycle, we put together an email communication plan with our policy colleagues.
Every year we need to send emails to candidates and training providers, this plan would help us write and send emails in good time. It would also help us next year when we need to do this again.
View what we sent to training providers who use Manage teacher training applications (Manage).
What we did
15 September 2023 – email to candidates to submit any applications before the end of the cycle
This email was to remind candidates who had unsubmitted applications to submit them before the end of the 2022 to 2023 recruitment cycle.
Email content:
Hello [First name]
Applications for teacher training courses starting in the 2023 to 2024 academic year close tomorrow, Tuesday 19 September at 6pm.
You must submit your application if you want to start your teacher training this academic year.
Sign into your account to submit your application.
If you’re not ready to submit your application
If you’re not ready to apply now, you can continue preparing your application.
When you log in after 6pm tomorrow, all your details will be saved, and you’ll be able to apply again from 10 October 2023 for courses starting in September 2024.
Get help
Call 0800 389 2500 or chat online.
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm (except public holidays).
26 September – email to candidates to remind them to carry over any unsubmitted applications
Once a recruitment cycle ends, candidates can ‘carry over’ their unfinished application to the next cycle if they want to continue applying.
Email content:
Hello [First name]
Applications for teacher training courses starting in the 2023 to 2024 academic year are now closed.
From 10 October 2023, you’ll be able to start applying for courses starting in the 2024 to 2025 academic year. Most of these courses start in September 2024.
Preparing to apply for courses
When you next sign into your account to apply for teacher training, you’ll be able to continue filling out your details.
When you’re ready to apply for courses after 10 October, go to the ‘Your applications’ tab from the top menu. You’ll be able to add up to 4 applications to different training providers or courses.
If any of your applications are unsuccessful, or you withdraw one, you’ll be able to apply for another course straight away.
The applications process
The last day to apply for courses for the 2024 to 2025 academic year is 25 September 2024.
Training providers offer places on courses throughout the year. Courses stay open until they are full. You should apply as soon as you’re ready to give yourself the best chance of getting a place on a course.
Get help
Call 0800 389 2500 or chat online.
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm (except public holidays).
Automated emails from Apply for teacher training (Apply)
When the new recruitment cycle starts, Apply sends 2 automated emails to candidates, these get sent when:
- Find postgraduate teacher training (Find) opens on the first Tuesday in October every year
- Apply opens on the second Tuesday of October every year
When Find opens, candidates can start looking for courses and prepare their applications. When Apply opens, candidates can start submitting their applications.
Email when Find opens:
Email when Apply opens:
10 October 2023 – telling candidates we’ve updated our terms and conditions
For the 2023 to 2024 recruitment cycle, we updated our terms and conditions because we changed the way the application process works.
We sent an email to candidates with a link to our terms and conditions to notify them of this change.
Email content:
Thank you for using Apply for teacher training (Apply).
We’ve recently made some improvements to the service. Because of this, we’ve also made some small changes to our terms and conditions.
You can read the updated terms for the Apply service on our terms and conditions page.
Get help
If you need support with your application, you can speak to a teacher training adviser. Call 0800 389 2500 or chat online.
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm (except public holidays).