The deadline to submit an application for the 2013 onwards wave of UTCs was 17 January 2012. The application form and guidance is available on this page for information purposes only.
University Technical Colleges (UTCs) are new 14-19 academies where students integrate academic study with practical learning, studying core GCSEs alongside technical qualifications. UTCs are sponsored by a university, lead employer sponsor, other local employer partners and in some cases also by other educational providers with strengths in the UTC's specialist subject areas. UTCs should provide progression routes into higher education or further learning in work, including apprenticeships.
The first one opened in September 2010, with another opening in September 2011. Seventeen more are in the pipeline, and the Government has committed to opening 24 by 2014/15.
We want to ensure only the highest quality applications are approved. Therefore, the application system for those groups that wish to open a UTC from September 2013 onwards will have the following features:
- All groups will provide information, as set out in the 'How to apply' guidance to a set deadline. This will require detailed and robust responses to questions about, for example, demand from employers, parents and prospective students; the educational vision for the UTC and how this will meet local and national skills needs; how the technical curriculum of the UTC will be delivered alongside core qualifications; and the capacity and capability of the proposing group to deliver a UTC.
- Groups will be judged against the published criteria and against each other and scored on the strength of their proposals.
- Shortlisted applicants will be called for an interview to discuss aspects of their proposal. Interview panels will consist of Department for Education officials, education advisers and financial and premises experts. Being called for interview does not indicate that an application will ultimately be successful.
You should only contact the Department if you submitted an electronic and hard copy application by 6pm on 17 January and did not receive an acknowledgement of receipt shortly after that date. You should not provide additional information to the Department unless specifically invited to. Applicants should continue to develop their proposals after submitting their application, as those applicants short-listed for interview will be invited to provide updated information at that stage.
We intend to let all applicants know the likely timetable for interviews once applications have been acknowledged.
You can find further information on our FAQs page and we also strongly recommend that those wishing to apply in future rounds speak to the Baker Dearing Educational Trust.
