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There are many routes you can take to train to be a teacher in the UK. The different pathways to get into teaching may sound confusing at first. For this reason, we have put together a guide on the several ways to train to become a teacher, which you can explore to discover which is best suited to your skills and career ambitions.
To become a qualified teacher in state-maintained schools across the UK, you need to undertake Initial Teacher Training (ITT) or Initial Teacher Education (ITE). Entry is typically competitive, except for subjects like maths, physics and languages, which are in higher demand.
Completion of ITT leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in England and Wales, and the Teaching Qualification (TQ) in Scotland. Some independent schools, academies and free schools may not necessarily require a QTS as a strict requirement.
If you are unsure on whether or not teaching is the right career for you, you could do some work experience or volunteering in nurseries and schools to make up your mind. Similarly, to help you decide which age group you should teach, it is a great idea to connect with nurseries and schools in your local area and ask to observe teachers and early years educators in a classroom. You could also engage in conversations with teaching staff, who can share insights of a teaching career, such as pros and cons.
Once you’ve decided which age range you would like to teach, you could start looking for a pathway that gives you the relevant experience. For example, if you want to work with under 5-year-olds, you could explore ways start a career in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Very similarly, you could access the careers and employability service where you’re studying or have graduated from, or attend universities, schools and training provider open days before you apply.
A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is the most common pathway into teaching is, which you can study at university or as part of a school-based training programme.
Entry requirements for a PGCE include:
PGCE courses start with an academic focus and usually cover teaching, learning theory and managing classroom behaviour. After the first few weeks you will spend up to two-thirds of your time on placement in schools, teaching in two different key stages.
Depending on whether you are studying full time or part time, a PGCE course can take one or two years to complete. PGCE students will explore modules like professional teacher, subject specialist, reflective teacher and research-informed teacher. It is important to check if your course leads to a Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), as you will not be able to teach without it.
You can find PGCE courses here.
Most popular in Scotland, a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) is a one-year pathway to get a Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with additional master’s credits.
Entry requirements for a PGDE include:
On a PGDE course, you will spend around half your time at university learning subject-specific theory and general teaching techniques. This will be assessed through written assignments and presentations. The other half of your time is spent on teaching placements where you will be regularly observed and need to keep a portfolio of your progress. Most PGDE courses are full time, but it is also possible to study part time. It is worth speaking with specific institutions to learn more about their offerings.
The Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS) provides a guaranteed 1-year training post in a local authority to every eligible student graduating with a teaching qualification from one of Scotland’s Higher Education Institutions.
A couple of universities in England also offer the PGDE courses. What is the main difference between PGCE and PGDE? The answer is the number of academic credits you will get. The PGDE carries 120 university credits, whereas the PGCE carries 60.
Available in Wales, a Salaried Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is a two-year course that allows you to work in a school as an unqualified teacher while working towards your PGCE qualification.
Entry requirements for a Salaried PGCE include:
Salaried PGCEs are delivered by the Open University ITE partnership. The course includes 60 Masters level credits and meets QTS standards. There is a route for teaching in primary schools and one for secondary school teaching that focuses on science, maths and Welsh.
To get a place on a Salaried PGCE you are required to be working in a school already or have a school willing to sponsor you. If you don’t have a school lined up, then The Open University may be able to get one. You will be expected to work in a school five days a week whilst studying on top of this, as well as attending sessions with mentors and tutors.
Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to train to be a teacher for those who do not want to follow the traditional university pathway, as this will require no tuition fees to pay, and provides you with a salary from the beginning.
Entry requirements for a Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship include:
You will be expected to spend 80% of your time in the classroom gaining practical experience through observation and first-hand teaching across two key stages. Some apprenticeships require your practical experience to take place in two contrasting schools, so it’s essential to check before applying. The remaining 20% of your time will be utilised to study the theory through training sessions and conferences.
Throughout the apprenticeship, you will be required to build and maintain a portfolio that demonstrate your progress and a journal that reflects on your experiences. You will also be observed during teaching lessons on a regular basis, which will contribute to the final outcome on your apprenticeship. You will then need to undertake an End-Point Assessment, which is an external assessment consisting of a lesson observation and an interview.
It is important to check with the individual institution what qualification you will receive at the end of the apprenticeship, as this varies from course to course.
Apprenticeship qualifications include:
It’s crucial to note these apprenticeships are still quite new and, for this reason, there might be a limited number of vacancies. If this is something you’re considering, you can enquire about available opportunities at the school you’re working in or a local school.
The School Direct route allows schools to employ graduate trainees and help them learn on the job as they earn a salary and work towards gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
As a trainee, you could do your entire training at a school, or you could split it between university study and school training, so you will need to establish what is best for you.
Entry requirements for the School Direct route include:
If you choose the salaried route, you will be employed as an unqualified teacher while you learn on the job.
On the unsalaried route you will be based in a school, but will also be taught by the university, college, or school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) that the school partners with.
You will be required to spend time in one or two schools and, as well as engaging in first-hand teaching, you will also learn about lesson planning and the theory behind teaching. You will be assigned a mentor and be regularly assessed through lesson observations and gathering evidence of your skills.
It is worth noting that not all courses include a PGCE/PGDE element. For this reason, it is important to check with the institution what qualifications you will receive.
You can view all School Direct courses here.
Participants in the Teach First programme will work in schools within low-income communities as part of a two-year training programme leading to a fully funded Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE). As a participant in the Teach First programme, you will teach in the same school throughout the two years.
In the first year, trainees work towards a PGCE whilst teaching around 80% of a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) timetable. In addition to this, they will also attend training days and conferences.
In their second year, participants work as NQTs and teach a full timetable. Trainees are placed at participating primary and secondary schools where they commit to stay for the duration of the training programme.
Both primary and secondary trainees gain a fully funded Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), worth double the credits of a PGCE. You will gain QTS during this two-year period, while working in the classroom and earning a salary.
Entry requirements for the Teach First programme include:
There is a five-week course (37.5 hours a week) over the summer to get you ready for the classroom and then you will be assigned a mentor in school and a university tutor to oversee your progress. There is also a part-time option that takes nine weeks and a weekly commitment of 12.5 hours.
Applications open in June of the year before you want to start. Early application is recommended, especially for popular subjects such as history.
You can find out more about the Teach First programme on their website.
If you do not already have a degree, an undergraduate teaching degree could be ideal for you. Available options are Bachelor of Education (BEd), Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) with QTS.
Entry requirements for an undergraduate teaching degree include:
An undergraduate teaching degree will take three years to complete if done on a full-time basis, and four years if done part-time. At the end of your course, you will receive Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). You will explore specific subjects like becoming an effective teacher, inclusive practices, marking, assessments and how children learn, as well as carrying out projects and school placements.
In your first-year placement, you will take on some of the teacher’s role working with small groups of children. In your second and third year, your responsibilities will increase, and you will get first-hand experience in planning, teaching and assessing.
You can view all undergraduate teaching courses here.
The Future Teaching Scholars programme is a six-year route that will provide you with continual support, a degree, financial benefits and even help landing your first teaching job.
Entry requirements for the Future Teaching Scholars programme include:
The Future Teaching Scholars programme is a full-time course. You will study maths or physics at undergraduate level while also learning about teaching through training sessions, online modules and practical in-school experiences.
The Future Teaching Scholars programme will ensure you get a place on a salaried Initial Teacher Training (ITT) course leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Moreover, it will also help you finding your first teaching job.
You can find out more about Future Teaching Scholars on their website.
The Now Teach programme is a tailored recruitment and support programme for experienced professionals to retrain as teachers via several pathways.
Entry requirements for the Now Teach programme include:
The Now Teach programme is aimed at people seeking a career change to teaching, with a focus on the subject that they love.
There are some specific subjects that are in high demand, such as maths, computer science, languages (French and Spanish), geography and all sciences. For this reason, if you are considering applying for one of these subjects, you will be particularly encouraged to do so, as these subjects are facing shortages.
You will be assigned a dedicated programme manager that will help you choose the best course for you, guide you through the application process and be with you in the first few years of your career as a teacher.
There will also be monthly face-to-face and online events where you can get the opportunity to meet other trainees, seek and share advice, and listen to top industry speakers.
Find out more about Now Teach on their website.
The Transition to Teach programme offers a free tailored package of support and advice for people who are seeking a career change who want to train to be teachers.
Transition to Teach is an innovative programme designed for people who are interested in using their skills, knowledge and life experience to become a teacher. While Transition to Teach are not a training provider, they offer a free bespoke service to support individuals during their Initial Teacher Training (ITT) year and first year of teaching as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT).
Entry Requirements for the Transition to Teach programme include:
Transition to Teach is aimed at those who have left or are in the process of leaving their job due to redundancy or early retirement. You will be able to get support in identifying the best pathway for you, application advice, help with student finance and the opportunity to attend networking events. Transition to Teach will continue to help you when it comes to finding your first teaching job and throughout your first year of teaching.
When choosing an undergraduate course, make sure your qualification allows you to teach in schools. If you’re in England or Wales, you should choose a degree that includes qualified teacher status (QTS). If you’re in Northern Ireland or Scotland, check your course leads to provisional registration with a teaching council.
It is also possible to teach without a degree as academies, free schools, independent schools and further education (FE) colleges don’t always require QTS. However, having a degree can increase your chances of finding employment, future career development and moving between schools.
Another option is teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL/TESOL), which can be useful if you’re interested in teaching abroad. However, it is worth noting that some TEFL employers might look for a degree and a teaching qualification, and these may be requirements for your visa.
Working as a teaching assistant is, without a doubt, a great way to gain experience, prepare and train to be a teacher, although it is not a direct route to qualification. You will still need to study for a degree and obtain QTS.
Find teaching jobs to discover alternative careers within the sector.
As you can see, there is plenty to get excited about when it comes to training to be a teacher in the UK. The regulations on how to train to be a teacher differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland. For this reason, it’s worth taking a look at requirements for teaching in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Additionally, since the process of becoming a teacher in the UK can be lengthy and costly, it is useful to learn more about available teacher training funding and establish whether or not you qualify for them.
Nutritional Therapist and Early Years NutritionConsultant
At the intersection of health, nutrition, and early years education stands Louise Mercieca, a dynamic force in the realm of nutritional well-being for young children. A prolific writer with numerous articles and the notable book ‘How Food Shapes Your Child’ under her belt, she has delved deep into the intricacies of how food impacts a child’s development.
Her passion was kindled by two key elements: the journey she undertook with her young son and the extensive research she carried out for her debut book. Not just an author, Louise further extends her reach through the airwaves with her radio show ‘Food For Thought’ on Teacher Hug Radio.
Louise’s commitment doesn’t stop at raising awareness. As an Early Years Nutrition Consultant, she actively collaborates on menu development and nutritional education, ensuring that children receive a balanced and informed start to their dietary journey. Her driving belief is unequivocal: by understanding the bond between food and biology early on, we can preemptively address and potentially prevent many health and dietary issues adults grapple with later in life.
Her dedication to this cause positions her as a beacon for professionals in the Early Years sector, guiding them to understand the pivotal role food plays in holistic child health.
Chef Trainer at LEYF
In the vibrant world of child nutrition and culinary training, Sean Cowden shines as a beacon of expertise and dedication. As of 2022, he took the reins as Chef Trainer for LEYF’s esteemed Early Years Chef Academy courses. Initiated by LEYF in 2019, the Early Years Chef Academy emerged from a pressing need: to guarantee that young learners receive the essential, nutritious food vital for their growth and cognitive development. Through this initiative, chefs are meticulously trained not only in the culinary arts but also in the nuances of child nutrition, sculpting them into experts that inspire children, staff, and parents alike to cultivate lifelong healthy eating habits.
Before his esteemed tenure at LEYF Nurseries, Sean donned the hat of a Head Chef at an independent school, bringing his culinary flair to the academic arena. Additionally, his role as a Training Specialist for Gail’s Bakery further showcases his diverse expertise and unwavering commitment to the world of culinary arts and education.