Applications and enquiries

• European Union nationals
• Other overseas nationals
• Summary of OTT application procedure

European Union nationals

If you are a fully qualified teacher from a European Union nation, please follow the procedure below:

• Visit the General Teaching Council for England.
• Click on Registration
• Click on Obtaining QTS
• Click on Teachers from Europe
• Download EC1 form
• Complete it manually and send to the GTC with photocopies of your qualifications and teaching certificate.

The GTC administer this and may award you QTS or ask you to obtain the appropriate GCSE equivalences if this is necessary.

Other overseas nationals

If you are a fully qualified teacher from any other overseas country then you may be eligible for the OTT Programme.

You will not be able to start the programme unless you are employed as a teacher in a school. It is not possible to undertake the programme whilst working as a supply teacher unless all your supply work is carried out in one school. If you believe you are eligible to apply for the OTT and your school wishes to support you, the school should contact the OTT Programme Secretary Hazel Inglese on +44 (0) 118 378 8842 or  h.l.inglese@reading.ac.uk for further information.

Minimum entry requirements for teacher training, including the Overseas Trained Teacher Programme: All candidates must have

• achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C in the GCSE examination in mathematics*
• achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C in the GCSE examination in English*
• achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C in the GCSE examination in a science subject if applying to teach at Primary level*
• a degree of a UK higher education institution or equivalent qualification*

In addition, all those applying for teacher training must:

• Show that they can communicate effectively in both spoken and written English
• Obtain the required CRB clearances (as earlier)
• Meet the requirements for 'physical and mental fitness to teach' as earlier

* Those with qualifications from overseas should arrange to have their qualifications assessed by The National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC), email: info@naric.org.uk, telephone: +44 (0) 845 6000 991.

*You must have the original certificates in your possession as these must be seen by the University Assessor on the Initial Visit.

Summary of OTT application procedure

1. Initial enquiry to OTT Secretary
2. Application Form and Guidance Handbook sent to prospective trainee
3. Prospective trainee completes and returns application with copy of required certificates and NARIC statements
4. (a) OTT Secretary informs University Assessor of need for Initial Visit; (b) OTT Administrator scrutinises application to determine eligibility; (c) if applicant does not have appropriate maths and/or English, OTT Secretary sends letter and equivalence test information
5. University Assessor makes Initial Visit and undertakes initial needs analysis, confirms suitability for OTT Programme (i.e. teacher who is likely to achieve QTS)
6. If prospective trainee accepted, University Assessor returns application to OTT Secretary to entry onto database
7. OTT Secretary sends Skills Test number to accepted trainee
8. All Skills Tests completed by trainee
9. Final Assessment date agreed with school.