When should I apply?

Now! The sooner you get your application in, the better.

The application process opens in the September prior to the September the courses start and is open all year round. When the places are filled, the courses close down applications. Note that GTP deadlines vary from provider to provider, but they start recruiting well in advance of the start date.

The IOP recommends you apply as early as possible, ideally between September and December because:

• This will give you time to complete a Subject Knowledge Enhancement course if required. These often begin in January and if you miss the deadline, you may ‘lose’ a year whilst you complete this course.
• The application process can be lengthy. You apply for up to four ITE courses and then the course providers see your application sequentially – your second choice only gets to see your application after your first has decided not to accept you and so on.

If it’s getting late in the year, however, all is not lost.

Statistically, prospective physics teachers tend to be the last to submit their applications, leaving it till well into the Spring term (and beyond), when many ITE courses in other subjects are already full.

July is very late to apply but you may still be able to get a place. Some courses even have places and will accept you in August to start the following month. But this is probably not the best way to score Brownie points with a tutor…