Teaching advice : Routes into teaching

There are a number of different avenues that can lead to a role in teaching in England...

University-based teacher training

A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) course undertaken through a university is an option available to those who already have a degree. The course will focus on developing your teaching skills, rather than your subject knowledge. If your degree subject doesn't match the subject you would like to teach, you can take a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE)  course. This may improve your chances of getting a place on an initial teacher training (ITT) programme.

• Find a PGCE course near you.
• For more information about the application process see Applying for a PGCE.

School-centred initial teacher training (SCITT)

School-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) courses are for graduates who would like to complete teacher training in a classroom. You might need to complete a pre-training course if your degree subject isn't related to the subject you want to teach.

The courses are designed by schools and colleges in England and taught by experienced teachers and lead to qualified teacher status (QTS).

Courses last from September to June, though some may start earlier.

Find out more about School-centred initial teacher training (SCITT)  courses.

Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP)

On the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) you can obtain qualified teacher status (QTS) while training and working in a paid teaching role. You will be employed by a school and earn a salary. This on-the-job programme is ideal if you want to become a teacher but need to earn an income while you train.

The GTP normally takes one school year, working full time, to complete. Depending on previous teaching experience, this period may be shorter.

To apply you must have a UK Bachelors degree or equivalent and a GCSE grade C or above in mathematics and English.

The GTP will be replaced with School Direct Training Programme (salaried) in September 2013; some providers are still accepting applications for the GTP programme for 2012. The School Direct Training Programme (salaried) allows you to train and work in a paid teaching role.

School Direct

The School Direct Programme allows schools to recruit trainees with the expectation that they will go on to work in the school or group of schools in which they have been trained, though there is no guarantee of employment.

There are more than 100 schools offering places. Courses generally last for one year full time, starting from September 2012.

From September 2013, School Direct will be offering the School Direct Training Programme and the School Direct Training Programme (salaried).

Following the closure of the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP), the School Direct Training Programme (salaried) will be open to graduates with three or more years' career experience. Trainees will be employed as an unqualified teacher with a salary subsidised by the Teaching Agency.

For more information, see School Direct

Teaching in further education (FE)

You can teach in the further education (FE) sector as a full teacher or as an associate teacher. Full teaching roles require Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS). Associate teacher roles require Associate Teacher Learning and Skills (ATLS). See further education lecturer; higher education lecturer.

To teach in FE in Scotland, you will need a Teaching Qualification in Further Education (TQFE) from a Scottish teacher education institutions or equivalent.

The usual route into teaching in the FE sector is through a PGCE, which can be achieved through full-time study at a university or part time while you teach.

It is also possible to gain QTLS by studying part time while in a teaching role in the FE sector through the In-service Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning sector (DTLLS).

If you are a teacher with QTS, you can work in the FE sector but will need to gain QTLS within five years. Apply for QTLS via the Institute for Learning (IfL) .

As of April 2012, teachers with QTLS now have equivalent status to QTS and can teach in primary and secondary schools if they hold appropriate degree/subject qualifications. For more information go to Department for Education - QTLS .

Teach First

Teach First offers graduates a two-year Leadership Development Programme . The programme focuses on providing graduates with the skills, experience and leadership development training to excel in careers in any field.