OTTs who were trained in the European Economic Areas or Switzerland may be eligible for QTS under mutual recognition arrangements and should first contact the General Teaching Council for England (GTC).

Key features of the overseas trained teacher programme

• Trainees must have a teaching qualification equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree and hold GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in mathematics and English. For primary and key stage 2/3 teaching, candidates also need GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in science
• Trainees must be employed as a teacher in a school
• There are special arrangements that give OTTs the option of presenting themselves for QTS assessments without further training
• If training is needed, the maximum training programme is one year. The TDA pays a grant of £1,750 to cover training costs.
• The school, as the employer, will pay the salary at a rate for either a qualified or unqualified teacher
• Trainees must fulfil the home office's requirements for a work permit (applicable if you are not a national of the European Economic Area)

Applying for OTTP places

All applications for OTTP places should now be made directly to employment based initial teacher training providers (EBITTs). Find your nearest EBITT provider

For advice on work permits, contact Works Permit (UK) on 0114 259 4074.

The old work permit criteria for OTTs is now only for Bulgarian or Romanian nationals, and you should advise Bulgarians and Romanians to contact us on 0114 207 4074 or e-mail accessionenquiries@ukba.gsi.gov.uk
for information.

Non-European Economic area nationals, should contact the Immigration Enquiry Bureau on 0870 606 7766 or e-mail ukbapublicenquiries@ukba.gsi.gov.uk, for information about the new points-based system (PBS), which began in November 2008.

Further information is also available on UK Border Agency website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

The Refugees into Teaching project

If you have refugee status and have either been a qualified teacher in your home country or would like to get training to teach in England, please contact the Refugee Council by calling 020 7346 1166 or e-mailing rit@refugeecouncil.org.uk. The Training and Development Agency for Schools supports this innovative project, which aims to provide advice, guidance and services to encourage refugee teachers to return to teaching in England.