There are some essential qualifications and requirements you’ll need to meet to train as a teacher. These are set by the UK Government and apply to all teacher training providers.
We welcome applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You can find our essential and desirable entry requirements below, together with information for applicants who gained their qualifications overseas.
If you’re unsure whether you meet the requirements, please get in touch. We’re happy to talk through your circumstances and help you understand your options.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, both in our training programmes and in our own organisation.
We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and with a wide range of experiences, perspectives and circumstances. We recognise that people take different routes into teaching and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to be fair, inclusive and focused on your potential to become an effective teacher.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people is central to our work.
All applicants are required to meet the safeguarding requirements for working in schools. This includes appropriate self-disclosure as part of the recruitment process, and all successful applicants will be required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Further information about the DBS process will be provided during the application and offer process.
Visa to study
Applicants who require immigration permission to study in the UK must hold an appropriate visa that allows them to undertake the programme for its full duration.
The i2i Teaching Partnership is not able to provide visa sponsorship.
If you’re unsure whether your qualifications or experience meet the requirements, please get in touch.
Essential Entry Requirements
Essential entry requirements
To train with i2i, you will need:
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GCSE (or equivalent) Grade 4/C or above in English and Maths, and GCSE Science for our Primary programmes. You’ll need to provide evidence of these qualifications at interview. If you no longer have your certificates, certified statements can be requested from the relevant examination board.
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An honours degree, ideally with a 2:2 or higher classification. We will also consider applicants with a third-class degree.
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For our secondary programmes you will need to evidence appropriate subject knowledge for the age range and subject you intend to teach. If your degree is not directly related to the subject you want to teach, a related A Level may be required.
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Two academic or professional references, as appropriate.
You can apply while you are still completing a qualification, although any offer will be conditional on achieving the required grade.
Not sure your qualifications meet the requirements?
If you don’t have a GCSE Grade 4/C in English or Maths, you may be able to demonstrate that you meet the required standard through an equivalency test. We can advise you about the options available.
Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications are not accepted as equivalent to GCSE English or Maths for entry to our programme.
If your degree or A Levels do not provide the subject knowledge needed for the secondary subject you want to teach, we can advise you on your options. You may be eligible for Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE). SKE courses are not intended to replace the required qualifications; they are designed to refresh and develop your subject knowledge and align it with the curriculum. We can advise you on whether SKE may be appropriate for you.
If you’re unsure whether your qualifications meet our requirements, please contact us before ruling yourself out.
Desirable Entry Requirements
School experience
You do not need to have completed school experience before applying to i2i.
However, spending time in a school can help you understand what teaching involves and give you useful experience to draw on during your application and interview.
We can support you to gain school experience through our School Experience Programme, where you can spend time in one of our partner schools, observe lessons and speak to teachers about their experiences.
Overseas Qualifications
Overseas qualifications
If you gained your degree or other qualifications outside the UK, you may still be eligible to apply.
You will need to obtain a Statement of Comparability from UK ENIC, which allows us to assess how your qualifications compare with UK qualifications and whether they meet our entry requirements.
We recommend applying for your Statement of Comparability as early as possible, as you will need this information as part of the application process.
If you’re unsure about your overseas qualifications or how they compare with UK requirements, please contact us. We’re happy to help you understand what you need before you apply.
