Teacher training applicants fell last year, says UCAS

The number of applicants for teacher training in England fell by 6.5% last year compared with the previous 12 months, according to a new analysis.

But despite the drop in applications, more people were accepted to train.

The figures, from university admissions body UCAS, look at applications both for higher education and schools-based teacher training schemes.

Despite the figures, a Department for Education spokeswoman said teaching remains “hugely popular”.

However, teaching union Association of Teachers and Lecturers said the numbers “don’t provide reassurance” that the teacher supply crisis is being addressed,

UCAS says its calculations differ from previous figures in that they show acceptance rates for teacher training places.

• In England 42,400 people applied in 2015 – down 3,000 on 2014.
• Of these, 25,300 gained places in 2015 – an acceptance rate of almost 60%.
• By contrast, the acceptance rate in 2014 was just over 52% when 23,700 people were given places.

But despite the fall in applications there was a rise of almost 7% in the number of people accepted to train as teachers in England and Wales last year, according to UCAS.

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