Guidance

Recruiting trainee teachers: recruitment cycle dates

Updated 23 August 2024

Applies to England

You must follow certain dates and deadlines if you work in an organisation offering teacher training. These make up a ‘recruitment cycle’ which runs from October to September.

All training providers must follow the dates of the recruitment cycle. This applies even if you do not use the Department for Education services to publish teacher training courses and manage teacher training applications.

2023 to 2024 recruitment cycle

Date and time What happens
3 October 2023 at 9am Candidates can find courses for the 2023 to 2024 recruitment cycle on GOV.UK
10 October 2023 at 9am Start of 2023 to 2024 recruitment cycle. Candidates can apply for courses
17 September 2024 at 6pm The last day for candidates to apply for courses
25 September 2024 at 11:59pm End of 2023 to 2024 recruitment cycle. Applications awaiting decisions are rejected

2024 to 2025 recruitment cycle

Date and time What happens
1 October 2024 at 9am Candidates can find courses for the 2024 to 2025 recruitment cycle on GOV.UK
8 October 2024 at 9am Start of 2024 to 2025 recruitment cycle. Candidates can apply for courses
16 September 2025 at 6pm The last day for candidates to apply for courses
24 September 2025 at 11:59pm End of 2024 to 2025 recruitment cycle. Applications awaiting decisions are rejected

2025 to 2026 recruitment cycle

Date and time What happens
1 October 2025 at 9am Candidates can find courses for the 2025 to 2026 recruitment cycle on GOV.UK
8 October 2025 at 9am Start of 2025 to 2026 recruitment cycle. Candidates can apply for courses
16 September 2026 at 6pm The last day for candidates to apply for courses
24 September 2026 at 11:59pm End of 2025 to 2026 recruitment cycle. Applications awaiting decisions are rejected