DBS guidance for non-UK national teacher trainees

All teacher trainees are required to obtain Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance before they can enrol on the course.

When and how do I apply for my Enhanced DBS check?

If you are a non-UK national and require a visa to enter the UK, you will only be able to apply for your Enhanced DBS check once you have obtained your visa and arrived in the UK. As part of the application process for the Enhanced DBS check, you will need to present a selection of original ID documents to the University for verification. Please ensure that you bring your original ID documents for the DBS check with you when you travel to the UK.

Please email admissionssupport@reading.ac.uk as soon as you arrive in the UK so that we can assist you with obtaining the DBS clearance. On arrival at the University, you will be permitted to provisionally enrol for the course but you will need to apply for your Enhanced DBS check as soon as you arrive.

Please be aware that in the event of the outcome of your DBS check revealing a conviction or caution which make you unsuitable to be admitted to teacher training, you will be required to immediately withdraw from the programme and sponsorship of your visa will be withdrawn.

Do I need to provide a letter of good conduct (overseas criminal record check)?

If you have lived outside of the UK for six months or more within the five years before your course starts, you must provide a letter of good conduct from each country you have lived in. The letter(s) of good conduct will need to be provided in addition to the Enhanced DBS check and before you can enrol for the course.  

If you live overseas and are not planning to come to the UK before the start of the course, please apply for your letter of good conduct at the end of May to ensure it covers your full period of residency overseas. You will need to provide a letter of good conduct that covers your residency overseas up until the end of May before we can issue your CAS.

When will I receive my CAS?

Once you have met all of the other conditions attached to your offer, including providing a letter of good conduct covering your residency overseas up until end of May, we will ask you to complete our online self-declaration form. Once you have completed our online self-declaration form, we will issue your CAS so that you can apply for your visa. Please note that we do not usually issue a CAS before the end of May. 

If we have also advised you that you need to pay half of your fees before we will issue your CAS, you will also need to make this payment.

Questions?

Please email the Admissions Support Team if you have any questions.