Applicants should be qualified in their subject specialism to level 4 (but in some cases level 3 is accepted) and possess GCSEs (or level 2 equivalent) in English and mathematics at grade C or above; those without qualifications are required to take on-line mandatory tests; literacy test at interview; students should be employed by a post-compulsory education/training provider as they must complete a minimum of 75 teaching hours per year, have a cohort of a minimum of 8 learners and a qualified specialist subject mentor; all applicants are invited to an interview with the tutor; interviews normally take place between January and September of the year in which the course starts.