Ways to train

You need ‘qualified teacher status’ (QTS) to work in the majority of schools in England including state maintained primary, secondary and special schools.

Find out how to get QTS if you:

• have a degree (or you’re getting one)
• do not have a degree (and you’re not already doing one)
• are already an experienced teacher

You can also find specialised teacher training programmes if you’re changing career or you have a doctorate.

Not looking to teach in primary or secondary settings? Consider teaching early years or further education.

If you have a degree

Go back to university as a postgraduate student

With university-led teacher training you spend about a third of your time in academic learning and the rest in school placements.

In addition to QTS you’ll get a PGCE or PGDE (an academic qualification).

Courses typically take one year but you may be able to study part-time.

Fees are usually around £9,250 but you can:

• get funding that you do not have to pay back for certain subjects
• apply for a student loan

Train as you teach at a school or group of schools

On a ‘school direct (fee-funded)’ programme you spend less time learning about the theory of teaching than you would in university-led training.

Despite the focus on training as you teach, many courses give you a PGCE or PGDE (an academic qualification) in addition to QTS.

Courses typically take one year but you may be able to study part-time.

Fees are usually around £9,250 but you can:

• get funding that you do not have to pay back for certain subjects
• apply for a student loan

Earn a salary

Some teacher training programmes like ‘school direct (salaried)’ and ‘postgraduate teaching apprenticeships’ offer a salary.

You spend less time learning about the theory of teaching than you would in university-led training.

Despite the focus on training as you teach, many ‘school direct (salaried)’ courses give you a PGCE or PGDE (an academic qualification) in addition to QTS.

Courses typically take one year but you may be able to study part-time.

Teach First also offers a salary. It’s a 2-year programme leading to a PGDE and QTS.

School direct
(salaried)

Takes 1 year

Often a PGCE or PGDE

Postgraduate teaching apprenticeship

Takes 1 year

Teach First

Takes 2 years

PGDE

If you have a degree (or you're getting one), search for postgraduate courses leading to qualified teacher status (QTS). This search tool does not include Teach First courses.

Find postgraduate teacher training courses

If you do not have a degree

Do an undergraduate teacher training degree

You can get QTS as part of an undergraduate degree.

Courses typically cost £9,250 per year and can take up to 4 years but you can get funding.

Qualifications vary depending on the course. For example, you could get QTS with a:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Education (BEd)
• Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Find an undergraduate course

If you are already an experienced teacher

You may be able to get ‘qualified teacher status’ (QTS) through a 12-week ‘assessment only’ programme if you also have a degree.

You’ll need to show that you already meet the standards for QTS. For example, you may meet the standards if:

• you’ve already been employed as an unqualified teacher for a significant amount of time (for example, 2 years) and you’ve worked in more than one school
• you’re a qualified teacher who trained overseas

Entry criteria may vary by teacher training provider. Ask them about eligibility before you apply.

Apply directly to assessment only teacher training providers.

If you’re changing career

A career change into teaching allows you to use your experience and passion to inspire young people.

Now Teach and Transition to Teach can support you with your career change.

If you have a doctorate

If you have or are about to get a PHD you could consider the researchers in schools programme.

If you have a lot of relevant work experience you could even earn a salary.