Become a history teacher

As a history teacher, you'll bring the past to life by introducing pupils to key events and significant people from history. By encouraging critical thinking, you’ll help pupils form their own opinions and uncover new perspectives.

A teacher listening to a group of students

Why teach history

Through teaching history, you’ll challenge pupils to scrutinise evidence to build a picture of the past. Guiding them through the often elusive sources left to us, you'll help them question the reliability and accuracy of what they read. They’ll build skills in research, handling evidence, and forming persuasive arguments.

In addition to the personal rewards of teaching history, there are practical benefits too, including:

a competitive salary starting at £31k (or higher in London)
a generous and secure pension
more holiday days than people in many other professions
opportunities for progression

People may not realise how much potential there is for progression in teaching. They think they go into the world of the classroom and that's it. Lots of teachers have added responsibilities they enjoy doing and find fulfilling.

Chris Farr, teacher training adviser

Shape your pupils' futures

Teaching history opens the door for your pupils to pursue exciting careers in fields such as research, curation, and law.

Your pupils will learn more from you than you might think. As their history teacher, you'll develop your pupils’ knowledge and skills to investigate the past by interrogating primary and secondary sources.

I enjoy how, as a teacher, you can help pass on your passion for a subject to students and inspire them to want to continue to study the subject, whilst also helping them develop their own sense of curiosity.

Jack, history teacher

What you'll teach

You'll teach the national curriculum for history.

When you teach 11 to 14 year olds (key stage 3), themes you may study include:

the development of church, state and society
ideas, political power, industry and empire in Britain from 1745 to 1901
challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world from 1901 to the present day
a local history study
a study of a significant society or issue in world history and its interconnections with other world developments

Knowledge and skills you'll cover when you teach 14 to 16 year olds (key stage 4) include:

developing and extending knowledge of key historical events
developing questions about the past through the use of sources
developing an awareness of why people, events and developments have been given historical significance
creating structured accounts using evidence

Explore what teaching a key stage 3 history lesson would be like by visiting the Oak National Academy website.

At A level and AS level (key stage 5), you’ll help pupils develop further knowledge and skills in:

acquiring an understanding of the nature of historical study
developing the use and understanding of historical terms, concepts and skills
making links and drawing comparisons within and/or across different periods and aspects of the past
organising and communicating historical knowledge and understanding in different ways and reaching conclusions based on evidence

Teaching pupils at different ages and abilities means you'll always be expanding your knowledge and approach to meet pupils' needs. Once you have qualified teacher status (QTS) you can also teach any other subject, as long as you can show you have enough expertise.

Start your journey into teaching history

Check your qualifications

To train to teach history in England, you'll need:

GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths (and science if you want to teach primary)
a bachelor's degree in any subject

Having relevant A levels can show your subject knowledge, if you do not have a degree in history.

History teacher training courses have had successful applications from candidates with a range of degrees, including politics, philosophy, archaeology and English.

Find out about the qualifications needed to teach.

Non-UK citizens: check your qualifications

If you have qualifications from outside the UK, you'll need to show that they meet the standards set for teacher training in England.

You can get help comparing English and international qualifications.

Fund your teacher training

As a trainee history teacher, you may be eligible to apply for a tuition fee loan and maintenance loan.

Even if you've had financial support for a previous course, you could still be eligible for funding to support your teacher training.

You may also be able to get extra funding and support if you're:

a parent or carer
disabled
a veteran

Find out how you can fund your teacher training.

Non-UK citizens: funding your training

If you do not have indefinite leave to remain in the UK, you're unlikely to be eligible for funding.

Find out more about fees and financial support for non-UK trainee teachers.

Support with teacher training

Throughout your initial teacher training, you'll have the support of a mentor.

Your mentor will:

guide you through your training, sharing learning and career development opportunities with you
meet with you regularly to make sure your training is a positive experience

You'll also be part of a welcoming school community where you'll learn from fellow teachers through taught sessions, seminars and workshops.

Once you've completed your initial teacher training, you'll continue to be supported during your first 2 years of teaching. Find out what support you'll get as an early career teacher.