Secondary school teacher: Entry requirements

Unless your first degree gives you QTS (qualified teacher status in England and Wales) or TQ (teaching qualification in Scotland), you will need further training (essential to teach in the local authority sector). For details of all routes into teacher training, refer to the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) and The Scottish Government - Education and Training . Briefly, the options are:

A full-time, part-time or modular Postgraduate Certificate in Secondary Education (PGCE) (or Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) in Scotland). Courses are available at many universities and colleges, including the Open University (OU) . Applications for most courses in England, Scotland and Wales are made via the GTTR (Graduate Teacher Training Registry) in the autumn before you wish to start. Northern Irish universities recruit direct. There are a limited number of two-year subject-conversion courses for training to teach shortage subjects. For full details, see Applying for a PGCE.
School-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) . Schools devise their own training programme in partnership with their local education authority (LEA) and a higher education institution (HEI).
The Registered teacher programme (RTP) . This is a two-year programme combining classroom work and the completion of a degree which confers QTS. Places are limited and the focus is on shortage subjects.
In England and Wales, candidates with one or two years of higher education may take a shortened two-year degree with QTS. You can apply via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) .
The Teach First scheme gives the opportunity to teach for two years and then either stay in teaching or move on to roles in the public sector or business.
The Graduate teacher programme (GTP) . Graduates are employed as unqualified teachers and paid a salary. This is a highly competitive scheme for those with considerable relevant experience.
Candidates with a teaching qualification from an EU country can apply to the General Teaching Council for England (GTC) for accreditation.
The Overseas teacher training programme (OTTP) offers non-EU overseas-trained teachers the opportunity to gain QTS while working as teachers.
Independent schools may employ teachers without QTS although, in practice, this is uncommon.

Although training is open to all graduates, a degree related to a national curriculum subject increases your chances of getting a training place. Your pre-university education may also be taken into account. Some institutions offer enhancement courses for shortage subjects if you have already been accepted onto a PGCE course. Check the TDA website for current shortage areas.

Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

classroom experience as an observer or classroom assistant (structured work experience programmes, such as the Student Associates Scheme , are available through higher education institutes and the OU - visit open days and try to attend a taster course);
experience with children, e.g. through sports, playschemes, summer camps, youth clubs, tutoring or mentoring;
familiarity with the national curriculum for your subject;
enthusiasm, motivation, commitment and strong communication skills.

Teacher training providers set their own entry requirements, which always include GCSE grades A-C in English and mathematics (in Scotland an SCE Higher A-C in English) and satisfactory health and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks. If you do not have these qualifications, approach institutions before submitting an application, as some offer special tests for such applicants. Trainee teachers must also pass national skills tests in numeracy, literacy and ICT before starting their induction year.

For full details of PGCE funding and bursaries in England and Wales, see the TDA website; for Scotland please refer to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) . In Northern Ireland, PGCE students are eligible for awards from their LEA and library board.

It is illegal for employers or course providers to discriminate against candidates on the grounds of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation or religious faith. For more information on equality and diversity in the job market see Handling Discrimination.

For more information see work experience and find courses and research.

Advert disclaimer

AGCAS