Recruiting trainee teachers: recruitment cycle dates
Updated 18 August 2025
Applies to England
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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 each year.
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.
2025 to 2026 recruitment cycle
| Date and time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 30 September 2025 at 9am UK time | Candidates can find courses for the 2025 to 2026 recruitment cycle on GOV.UK and begin preparing their application |
| 7 October 2025 at 9am UK time | Start of 2025 to 2026 recruitment cycle. Candidates can begin applying for courses |
| 15 September 2026 at 6pm UK time | Candidates must submit their application by this time |
| 23 September 2026 at 6pm UK time | Any applications awaiting a provider decision (including interviewing) will be rejected |
| 27 September 2026 at 11:59pm UK time | End of 2025 to 2026 recruitment cycle. Any offers awaiting a candidate decision will be declined |
2026 to 2027 recruitment cycle
| Date and time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 29 September 2026 at 9am UK time | Candidates can find courses for the 2026 to 2027 recruitment cycle on GOV.UK and begin preparing their applications |
| 6 October 2026 at 9am UK time | Start of 2026 to 2027 recruitment cycle. Candidates can begin applying for courses |
| 21 September 2027 at 6pm UK time | Candidates must submit their applications by this time |
| 29 September 2027 at 11:59pm UK time | Any applications awaiting a provider decision (including interviewing) will be rejected |
| 3 October 2027 at 11:59pm UK time | End of 2026 to 2027 recruitment cycle. Any offer awaiting a candidate decision will be declined |