The ITER magnets are long-lead time items and the preparation of their construction is the subject of a major and coordinated effort of the ITER international team and participant teams. The results of the ITER model coil programme constitute the basis and the main source of data for the preparation of the technical specifications for the procurement of the ITER magnets. A review of the salient results of the ITER model coil programme is given and the significance of these results for the preparation of full size industrial production is explained. The model coil programme has confirmed the validity of the design and the manufacturer's ability to produce the coils with the required quality level. The programme has also allowed the optimization of the conductor design and the identification of further development which would lead to cost reductions of the toroidal field coil case.