Postgraduate or Professional Certificate in Education (PGCE)A PGCE is usually a one-year full-time course based in a university with substantial school placements. Courses are offered at two levels: Postgraduate Certificate in Education and Professional Certificate in Education. The Postgraduate Certificate includes Masters level modules but both certificates lead to the same qualified teacher status (QTS). Search for courses and apply through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR). More flexible PGCE courses also exist, allowing for part-time study and/or distance-learning. School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT)SCITTs operate in England and are usually one year, full time. A consortium of schools designs a training programme with partners including higher education (HE) institutions and the local authority (LA). Although these schemes include significant academic study, they are highly practical and most of your time is spent in a base school. Successful completion leads to qualified teacher status (QTS) and possibly a PGCE. Apply through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) for most schemes but for a complete list see Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA). Graduate teacher programme (GTP)The GTP allows you to qualify as a teacher while employed by a school in England or Wales. For most people, the training lasts one year, but it could take as little as three months, depending on your previous experience. In order to be accepted onto the programme, you must find a school willing to employ you as a trainee teacher and gain a place on the scheme through a local GTP training provider, known as an employment based initial teacher training (EBITT) provider (list available from the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA)). GTP is highly competitive and the application process can be demanding. The TDA has set up the Graduate and Registered Teacher Programme (GRTP) Advice Line if you have any queries. You can find contact details on the TDA website. Teach FirstTeach First is a two-year programme in London, the East Midlands, the West Midlands, Yorkshire and the North West based in challenging secondary schools. It is aimed at graduates with a 2:1 or above and combines working towards QTS with a business internship and mentoring. Courses to boost relevant subject knowledgePostgraduate-level teacher training courses (PGCE, SCITT, GTP), particularly at secondary level, require substantial subject knowledge. If your subject knowledge is insufficient you might consider boosting it through the following courses: For Diplomates and foundation degree graduates- Registered teacher programme (RTP): The RTP allows you to study for a degree and qualify as a teacher while you work as an unqualified teacher in a school. Trainees must have completed two years in higher education. Visit Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) or contact the GRTP advice line for more information. Find contact details for the GRTPadvice line on the TDA website.
- Two-year degree in primary or secondary education: The main focus of this course is on shortage subjects including design and technology, mathematics and science. Apply through Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
- Degree ‘top-up’ course and postgraduate ITT: Another alternative is to top up your HND to a degree and then apply for a postgraduate teacher training course such as a PGCE. Check the suitability of your subject for entry to PGCE courses, as not all subject areas are available.
- If you have a foundation degree, you need to get at least an extra 60 credits at HE level 3 to be considered for postgraduate teacher training.
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