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CTT Training Review: Estate Planning Courses 2026

Independent review of CTT Group estate planning training programmes. Course quality, costs, what graduates say, and honest assessment of whether their training is right for you.

By Alex Stansbury, Founder
•
12 min read
•Updated January 2026

About CTT Group

CTT Group (College Training and Trust Group) is a UK provider of estate planning training and professional services.

They operate in the estate planning, will writing, and financial services sectors, offering both training programmes and practice support services.

What CTT offers:

Training programmes:

  • •Will writing courses
  • •Estate planning certification
  • •Trust training
  • •LPA certification
  • •CPD programmes

Practice services:

  • •Support for practitioners
  • •Software access
  • •Compliance assistance
  • •Business development support

Important disclosure:

This review is independent. We have no affiliation with CTT. Our assessment is based on:

  • •Publicly available information
  • •Graduate feedback we've gathered
  • •Industry reputation research
  • •Training quality indicators

Why review CTT?

CTT is often considered by career changers alongside professional body routes (IPW, SWW). Understanding what they offer helps inform training decisions.

Related: Estate Planning Course Comparison | Best Will Writing Courses UK

Training Programmes Overview

What CTT training includes:

Will Writing Training Programme

Coverage:

  • •Legal framework for wills
  • •Will drafting techniques
  • •Common clauses and provisions
  • •Client interview skills
  • •Professional practice

Format:

  • •Combination of online and practical elements
  • •Case studies and exercises
  • •Assessment requirements

Estate Planning Certification

Coverage:

  • •Comprehensive estate planning
  • •Trusts overview
  • •Tax considerations
  • •Asset protection
  • •Client scenarios

LPA Training

Coverage:

  • •Lasting Power of Attorney preparation
  • •Health and welfare LPAs
  • •Property and financial LPAs
  • •OPG registration requirements

Specialist Modules

Various topics available:

  • •Trust planning
  • •Business succession
  • •IHT planning
  • •Vulnerable clients

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Training approach:

CTT training tends to be:

  • •Practically focused
  • •Linked to ongoing practice support
  • •Aimed at building working practitioners
  • •Combined with software and systems

Costs:

Costs vary based on:

  • •Which programmes you take
  • •Whether bundled with services
  • •Current offers and packages

Typical range: £1,500-£4,000 depending on programme combination

Always get current pricing directly—costs change.

Related: How Long to Become an Estate Planner | Online vs Classroom Training

Honest Assessment

Balanced evaluation of CTT training:

Potential strengths:

Practical orientation:

  • •Training designed for working practice
  • •Software integration typical
  • •Business support available
  • •Aimed at actual practitioners

Combined services:

  • •Training + practice support in one
  • •May simplify startup for independents
  • •Ongoing relationship
  • •Compliance assistance included

Accessible entry:

  • •Less academic than some alternatives
  • •Practical focus suits some learners
  • •May accept varied backgrounds

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Potential concerns:

Recognition:

  • •Not a professional body like IPW/SWW
  • •Recognition varies by employer
  • •Less standardised than professional body routes
  • •May need additional professional body membership

Due diligence needed:

  • •Research thoroughly before committing
  • •Verify current graduate outcomes
  • •Understand any ongoing commitments
  • •Check what's included vs extra

Business model considerations:

  • •Training often linked to services
  • •Understand full relationship being entered
  • •Clear on ongoing costs
  • •Separation between training and services

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Questions to ask CTT directly:

1. What exactly is included in training fees?

2. What ongoing commitments exist after training?

3. What are graduate employment/practice outcomes?

4. Can I contact recent graduates?

5. How is training recognised by employers?

6. Do I need additional professional body membership?

7. What are all costs (training, ongoing, software, etc.)?

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What graduates say (themes):

Positive feedback:

  • •"Practical and focused on real work"
  • •"Good support during training"
  • •"Software training included"

Concerns raised:

  • •"Check exactly what's included"
  • •"Understand ongoing commitments"
  • •"Consider professional body membership separately"

Always do your own research—feedback varies and circumstances change.

Related: Accredited Estate Planning Courses | Estate Planning Startup Costs

CTT vs Alternatives

How CTT compares to other options:

CTT vs Professional Body Routes (IPW/SWW):

| Factor | CTT | IPW/SWW |

|--------|-----|---------|

| Recognition | Provider-specific | Industry standard |

| Approach | Practical + services | Qualification focus |

| Cost | £1,500-4,000 | £2,000-6,000 |

| Ongoing | Often bundled services | Membership fees |

| Credentials | Internal | Professional body |

Verdict: Professional bodies provide more portable credentials. CTT may suit those wanting integrated services.

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CTT vs Employer Training:

| Factor | CTT | Employer |

|--------|-----|----------|

| Cost | You pay | Often free |

| Employment | Self-arranged | Guaranteed |

| Independence | High | Committed to employer |

| Support | Services available | Employer support |

| Speed | Variable | Often faster |

Verdict: Employer training is lower risk for most career changers. CTT may suit those committed to independence.

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When CTT might be appropriate:

  • •You want to go independent immediately
  • •Integrated services appeal
  • •Less academic approach suits you
  • •You've researched thoroughly
  • •You understand full commitment
  • •No employer training available

When alternatives likely better:

  • •Employment security matters
  • •Professional credentials important
  • •Budget is primary concern
  • •You're unsure about career
  • •Employer training is available

Related: Free Will Writing Courses UK | Career Change to Estate Planning

Due Diligence Checklist

Before committing to any training provider (including CTT):

Research checklist:

1. Verify the company:

□ How long have they been operating?

□ Are they registered appropriately?

□ What's their industry reputation?

□ Any regulatory concerns?

2. Understand the offer:

□ Exactly what training is included?

□ What's the format and duration?

□ What ongoing costs exist?

□ What commitments are required?

3. Check outcomes:

□ What % of graduates work in estate planning?

□ Can you speak to recent graduates?

□ What support for employment is provided?

□ Realistic income expectations?

4. Clarify recognition:

□ How do employers view the training?

□ Is professional body membership included?

□ Any additional qualifications needed?

□ Recognition for insurance purposes?

5. Assess total cost:

□ All training fees?

□ All ongoing costs?

□ Software/materials?

□ Insurance?

□ Hidden costs?

6. Review contracts carefully:

□ Cancellation terms?

□ Refund policy?

□ Ongoing commitments?

□ Exit clauses?

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Red flags to watch for:

⚠️ Pressure to decide quickly

⚠️ Unrealistic income promises

⚠️ Vague about costs

⚠️ Can't provide graduate contacts

⚠️ Unclear about commitments

⚠️ Dismissive of questions

⚠️ Claims that seem too good

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Professional advice:

Consider getting independent advice before committing to significant training investment:

  • •Talk to working estate planners
  • •Consult career advisors
  • •Research multiple options
  • •Compare like with like

This applies to ALL training providers, not just CTT.

Related: Estate Planning Course Comparison | Accredited Estate Planning Courses

Making an Informed Decision

Final considerations:

If considering CTT:

1. Research thoroughly

  • •Read reviews beyond their website
  • •Speak to multiple graduates
  • •Understand exactly what you're getting
  • •Compare with alternatives

2. Understand the full picture

  • •Total costs over time
  • •All commitments
  • •What's included vs extra
  • •Exit options if it's not right

3. Consider alternatives

  • •Professional body routes (IPW/SWW)
  • •Employer-sponsored training
  • •Other independent providers
  • •Combined approaches

4. Get it in writing

  • •All costs
  • •All inclusions
  • •All commitments
  • •Refund/cancellation terms

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The balanced view:

CTT may be appropriate for some people in some circumstances. Like any training provider:

  • •It has strengths and limitations
  • •It suits some learners more than others
  • •Research is essential
  • •Individual circumstances matter

We neither recommend nor advise against CTT—we recommend thorough research before any training commitment.

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Alternative pathways often worth considering:

For most career changers:

1. Apply for employer-sponsored training

2. Join professional body (IPW or SWW)

3. Develop experience

4. Add qualifications as needed

This provides:

  • •Lower financial risk
  • •Employment security
  • •Recognised credentials
  • •Practical skills

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Resources for further research:

Whatever you choose, ensure you've researched thoroughly and understand what you're committing to.

Key Takeaways

  • CTT offers practical training with integrated practice support services
  • Recognition differs from professional body qualifications (IPW/SWW)
  • Thorough due diligence essential before committing to any training
  • Understand full costs and ongoing commitments before signing
  • Speak to recent graduates independently
  • Consider professional body routes and employer training as alternatives

Frequently Asked Questions

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