Memorandum on Entry Requirements for Initial Teacher Education Programmes in Scotland 2024

Thank you to those who responded to our consultation on proposed updates to the Memorandum on Entry Requirements for Initial Teacher Education programmes in Scotland. This consultation closed at 5 pm on Thursday 21 March 2024.

Since 1965, a Memorandum on Entry Requirements for Initial Teacher Education (“ITE”) programmes in Scotland (‘the Memorandum’) has been published. Originally this was done on an annual basis but latterly it was issued less frequently. The General Teaching Council for Scotland (“GTCS”) issued the current Memorandum in 2019.

The Memorandum sets the minimum entry requirement for students’ entry to ITE programmes in Scotland.

We are proposing limited changes to the Memorandum to ensure:

• the Memorandum remains relevant and fit for purpose
• the content of the Memorandum is sufficiently comprehensive and clear to all stakeholders
• that ITE applicants can use the Memorandum confidently to determine whether they meet with the minimum entry requirements when applying to join an ITE programme; and
• ITE providers can provide up to date information in their literature to guide potential applicants on the expectations of the minimum entry requirements for ITE programmes.