Routes into teaching

School led routes

There are school-led training options for graduates who want hands-on training in a school. On a school-led training course, you’ll get the chance to learn on the job in at least two schools, learning from experienced colleagues and putting your new skills into practice from day one.

School-led courses, such as SCITT or Schools Direct, generally last a year and result in the award of qualified teacher status (QTS). Most courses include a postgraduate qualification, which is likely to carry with it Master’s-level credits.

You should check the exact details of individual courses at UCAS Teacher Training.

University led routes

University led programmes are at undergraduate and postgraduate levels

Undergraduate training

There are two types of degree that lead to qualified teacher status (QTS), a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree and Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees with QTS.

Postgraduate training

University led courses run full-time over one year or part-time over two years. Training includes spending time at university or college and a minimum of 24 weeks in placement schools.

Other routes

Returners to Teaching

When you return to teaching, you bring invaluable experience with you. To make that process as easy as possible DfE have put together some information and resources you might find useful.

Overseas trained teachers

To be a qualified teacher in England, you will need to gain qualified teacher status (QTS). You may be able to gain QTS in England without any further training or assessment. If you are qualified to teach in the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA, visit GOV.UK to find out more. Although not mandatory for all schools, evidence shows that most schools hire teachers who hold QTS, or are working towards QTS.

Get into Teaching - Overseas Applicants

Assessment only

If you’re an experienced teacher with a degree, you can achieve qualified teacher status (QTS) by the Assessment Only route which allows you to demonstrate that you already meet all of the standards for QTS. Criteria apply, see Assessment only for details and the current provider list.

Troops to Teachers

Two-year Troops to Teachers courses are for non-graduates and lead to QTS and a degree qualification. This involves earning a salary as an unqualified teacher while you train. Training to teach in a school for four days a week, with university training one a day a week to further your academic qualifications to degree level. For further information please contact [email protected] or call 01273 643 598.

Teach First

Teach First is a charity offering a two year programme which  trains its participants to be in schools in low-income areas, specifically to address the needs of secondary-level pupils. Eligibility criteria apply, see Teach First.