Routes into teaching

To teach in most state schools, you'll need to complete an approved Initial Teacher Training (ITT) or an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme. In England and Wales, this usually leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), while in Scotland, you'll need registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).

Some academies, free schools, independent schools and further education providers may employ teachers without QTS, although many still prefer applicants to hold a recognised teaching qualification.

How to choose the right route

Your options will depend on whether you already have a degree, want to earn while you train, or are already working in education.

Before applying, it's worth getting school experience. Visiting schools, observing lessons and supporting classroom activities can help you decide whether teaching is right for you and strengthen your applications.

Postgraduate routes into teaching

These routes are designed for graduates and typically combine academic study with classroom experience. Most can be completed in one academic year and lead to QTS.

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

• Best for: Graduates who want academic study alongside substantial school placements.
• Qualification awarded: QTS, PGCE, and Masters-level credits.
• Duration: One academic year full time.
• Funding: Tuition fee, maintenance support, bursaries and scholarships.

The PGCE remains one of the most popular routes into teaching. It can be studied through a university, a SCITT provider or other accredited training partnerships.

You'll usually need:

• a Bachelors degree or equivalent
• GCSE grade 4/C or above in English and maths
• GCSE grade 4/C or above in science if applying to teach primary pupils
• a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• relevant school experience (recommended by most providers).

A full-time PGCE usually takes one academic year to complete. You'll combine academic study with extensive school placements and develop skills in areas such as:

• assessment and feedback
• behaviour management
• lesson planning
• professional practice
• research-informed teaching
• subject knowledge.

Many PGCE courses include up to 60 Masters-level credits.

Always check whether your chosen course leads to QTS, as this is required to teach in most state schools in England and Wales.

Search all PGCEs.

Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)

• Best for: Graduates who want to teach in Scotland.
• Qualification awarded: PGDE, GTCS registration eligibility, and Masters-level credits.
• Duration: One academic year full time.
• Funding: Tuition fee and living-cost support.

Most popular in Scotland, the PGDE is a one-year postgraduate qualification that leads to registration with the GTCS, which is the professional qualification required to teach in Scottish state schools. The course also carries Masters-level credits that can count towards further study.

You'll need:

• an undergraduate degree (for secondary teaching, your degree should include at least 80 Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) credit points in the subject you wish to teach)
• National Qualifications in English at SCQF Level 6 and maths at SCQF Level 5
• some classroom experience, ideally in a Scottish school setting
• membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.

On the PGDE, you'll typically spend half of your time at university, studying subject-specific theory and general teaching methods. This academic component is assessed through written assignments, presentations, and reflective work. The remaining time is spent on school placements, where you'll teach under supervision, be regularly observed, and maintain a professional development portfolio.

Most PGDE courses are full time, though a small number of universities offer part-time or flexible study options - you'll need to check with individual institutions for details.

Through Scotland's Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS), eligible graduates of Scottish universities are guaranteed a paid one-year teaching post in a Scottish school after completing the PGDE.

School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT)

• Best for: Graduates who want practical classroom experience from the start of their training.
• Qualification awarded: QTS, with some providers also awarding a PGCE.
• Duration: Usually one academic year.
• Funding: Tuition fee loans, maintenance support, bursaries and scholarships.

A SCITT programme is a school-led route into teaching. Training is delivered by a partnership of schools, often working with universities and accredited training providers.

You'll spend most of your time in the classroom developing practical teaching skills while also completing professional studies. Many SCITT programmes lead to QTS and some also award a PGCE.

You'll usually need:

• a Bachelors degree or equivalent
• GCSE grade 4/C or above in English and maths
• GCSE grade 4/C or above in science if applying for primary teaching
• a DBS check
• school experience (recommended by many providers).

Salaried routes

These routes allow you to earn a salary while gaining teaching qualifications and classroom experience.

Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship (PGTA)

• Best for: Graduates who want to earn a salary while training.
• Qualification awarded: QTS and, in some cases, a PGCE.
• Duration: Usually one academic year.
• Funding: Salary paid by the employing school. No trainee tuition fees.

The PGTA is a salaried route into teaching that allows you to gain practical classroom experience while working towards QTS. It's a popular option for graduates who want to earn while they train rather than pay tuition fees for a traditional university-based course.

You'll usually need:

• an undergraduate degree or equivalent
• GCSE grade 4/C or above in English and maths
• GCSE grade 4/C or above in a science subject if you want to teach primary pupils
• a DBS check
• any additional requirements set by the training provider or employing school.

As an apprentice, you'll be employed by a school and receive an unqualified teacher's salary while you train. Most programmes take one academic year to complete and combine classroom teaching with structured off-the-job training and professional development.

Training includes:

• lesson planning
• behaviour management
• curriculum delivery
• assessment and feedback
• professional practice.

Some programmes also offer an optional PGCE alongside QTS, although this varies by provider and may involve additional costs. It's worth checking what qualifications are included before applying.

Teaching apprenticeships are competitive, and availability varies by subject and location, so it's a good idea to research opportunities early and contact local schools or training providers for details of upcoming vacancies.

Teach First

• Best for: Graduates interested in leadership development alongside teacher training.
• Qualification awarded: QTS and progression into the Early Career Teacher (ECT) framework.
• Duration: Two years.
• Funding: Salaried route with no trainee tuition fees.

Teach First is a two-year salaried programme that combines teacher training, leadership development and classroom experience.

You'll need:

• a 2:1 undergraduate degree or equivalent (a 2:2 may be considered for certain subjects or with relevant experience)
• GCSE grade 4/C or above in English and maths (grade B/5 in Wales)
• GCSE grade 4/C or above in a science subject if you want to teach primary pupils
• your degree or A-levels to meet subject or curriculum requirements
• the ability to begin training in June or July and start teaching in September
• a DBS check.

Before entering the classroom, you'll complete an intensive five-week Summer Institute (approximately 37.5 hours per week) to prepare for teaching. There is also a part-time option lasting around nine weeks, with a commitment of about 12.5 hours per week.

In your first year, you'll teach up to 80% of a qualified teacher's timetable, supported by a school-based mentor and a university tutor, while also attending training days and leadership conferences.

In your second year, you'll be employed as an ECT, teaching continuing to receive professional support and development.

Applications open in June for entry the following academic year. Early application is recommended, especially for popular subjects such as history and English.

Find out more about Teach First.

Salaried PGCE (Wales)

• Best for: Graduates who want to work in a Welsh school while training.
• Qualification awarded: PGCE, QTS and Masters-level credits.
• Duration: Two years.
• Funding: Salaried employment with school-supported training.

This two-year, employment-based route allows you to work in a school as an unqualified teacher while training towards a PGCE and QTS.

You'll need:

• an undergraduate degree or equivalent
• GCSE grade 4/C or above in English or Welsh language and maths
• GCSE grade 4/C or above in a science subject if you want to teach primary pupils
• for secondary teaching, a significant part of your degree should be in the subject you wish to teach.

The programme is delivered by The Open University in Wales through its Initial Teacher Education (ITE) partnership. It includes 60 Masters-level credits and fully meets the QTS standards set by the Education Workforce Council (EWC). There are two pathways - one for primary teaching and one for secondary teaching, with subject specialisms including science, maths, and Welsh.

To secure a place on the Salaried PGCE, you must already be employed by a school in Wales or have a school willing to sponsor your training. If you don't have a placement school, The Open University may be able to help you find one.

You'll work in school five days a week, gaining practical teaching experience while also completing online academic study and attending sessions with mentors and university tutors.

Routes into teaching without a degree

Teacher Degree Apprenticeship (TDA)

• Best for: People without a degree who want to earn while training to teach.
• Qualification awarded: Bachelors degree and QTS.
• Duration: Typically four years.
• Funding: Apprenticeship-funded route with a salary from your employer.

The TDA is an employment-based route that allows you to earn a salary while studying for a teaching degree and QTS. It's designed for people who don't already hold a degree and want to train to teach while working in a school.

You'll need:

• employer support from a school willing to employ you as an apprentice
• qualifications required by the university or apprenticeship provider, typically including GCSEs in English and maths
• GCSE science if applying to teach primary pupils (requirements vary by provider)
• a DBS check.

As a teacher degree apprentice, you'll divide your time between working in a school and studying for your degree. You'll gradually take on greater classroom responsibilities while learning about teaching practice, child development, behaviour management and curriculum delivery.

Most programmes take around four years to complete, although the exact duration varies between providers. You'll gain practical experience throughout your training and receive support from school mentors and university tutors.

On successful completion, you'll achieve:

• a Bachelors degree
• QTS
• significant classroom experience before qualifying.

Undergraduate teaching degree

• Best for: School leavers and other applicants who know they want to become teachers and don't yet have a degree.
• Qualification awarded: Bachelor of Education (BEd), Bachelor of Arts (BA), or Bachelor of Science (BSc) with QTS.
• Duration: Typically three years full time or four years part time.
• Funding: Undergraduate student finance, including tuition fee and maintenance support.

Entry requirements typically include:

• GCSEs at grade 4/C or above in English language, maths, and science
• A-levels or equivalent qualifications (check with the institution for the required UCAS tariff points)
• a DBS check.

These degree programmes usually take three years full time or four years part time to complete. On successful completion, you'll be awarded QTS, allowing you to teach in state schools in England and Wales.

During your studies, you will explore topics such as:

• assessment and feedback
• effective teaching
• how children learn
• inclusive education.

You will also complete projects and school placements to gain practical classroom experience.

In your first-year placement, you will begin by supporting a teacher and working with small groups of pupils. In years two and three, your responsibilities will increase, and you will become more involved in lesson planning, teaching, and assessment.

Routes for teaching assistants, career changers and unqualified teachers

Assessment Only (AO) route

• Best for: Experienced unqualified teachers who already meet the Teachers' Standards.
• Qualification awarded: QTS.
• Duration: Usually completed within a few months, although preparation time varies.
• Funding: Assessment fees. No formal training programme costs.

This path enables experienced, unqualified teachers to gain QTS without completing a formal teacher training programme. Instead, you demonstrate that you already meet the Teachers' Standards through assessment in the classroom.

You'll need:

• a Bachelors degree or equivalent qualification
• substantial teaching experience across at least two schools or five years in one school
• evidence that you already meet all Teachers' Standards
• GCSE grade 4/C or above in English and maths
• GCSE grade 4/C or above in science for primary teaching
• a DBS check.

An accredited provider assesses your existing teaching practice through lesson observations, professional discussions and a portfolio of evidence.

The assessment period typically lasts a few months, although preparation can take longer depending on your experience and the evidence requirements.

Successful candidates are awarded QTS but a PGCE is not usually given.

Now Teach

• Best for: Experienced professionals and career changers moving into teaching.
• Qualification awarded: No qualification is awarded directly. Participants progress onto recognised teacher training routes leading to QTS.
• Duration: Varies depending on the chosen teacher training route.
• Funding: Depends on the training pathway.

This is a support programme and professional network that helps experienced professionals explore teacher training routes and transition into teaching.

Entry requirements include:

• an undergraduate degree or equivalent
• GCSEs at grade 4/C or above in English and maths
• a DBS check
• an A-level (or equivalent) in the subject you wish to teach.

The programme is aimed at career changers who want to bring their professional expertise into the classroom to improve education. Priority is given to those wishing to teach subjects in which there is a shortage of teachers, including:

• computer science
• geography
• languages (French and Spanish)
• maths
• the sciences.

Participants receive guidance and support to choose the right training route, expert career advice throughout their teaching career, and access to a network of hundreds of other career changers across England. The programme also offers regular face-to-face and online events, as well as one-to-one support from a dedicated programme manager.

Find out more about Now Teach.

Teacher training providers

Ambition Institute

Ambition Institute is a teacher training provider that offers programmes leading to QTS and a PGCE through university partnerships.

You will begin your main placement in a school, where you'll experience a mix of study modules, live training sessions and classroom practice. You will also receive one-on-one support every week from your dedicated mentor, who will be an experienced teacher who works in your school.

You'll need:

• a 2:2 undergraduate degree or equivalent
• GCSE grade 4/C or above in English and maths
• GCSE grade 4/C or above in science to teach primary school children.

Upon successful completion of the course, you'll gain QTS, a PGCE and 60 credits towards a Masters.

Take a look at Ambition Institute.

Lift Schools

Lift Schools offers teacher training routes leading to QTS and, in some cases, a PGCE. Depending on the programme, funding may be available through salaried placements, apprenticeships, bursaries or scholarships.

Discover more about Lift Schools.

Find out more

• Consider alternative jobs in education.
• Learn more about teaching in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• Explore how to become a teacher.