Teaching in Wales : Entry requirements

Many of the entry requirements for England apply in Wales, but there are some significant differences:

• Partnership schools involved in initial teacher training (ITT) may be located across a wide geographical area in order for trainees to gain experience of both rural and urban schools.
• All primary ITT courses must prepare trainees to teach at least one specialist subject. If your degree is not in a National Curriculum subject, you will need to have a good A-level or equivalent in at least one subject of the primary school curriculum.
• If you do not have enough subject knowledge to teach the area you are interested in, you might consider a ‘prepare to teach’ taster course, which offers the opportunity to sample teaching whilst at the same time identifying any gaps in your subject knowledge. The courses offered are for secondary mathematics, science, modern languages, design and technology, English and Welsh, ICT, music and RE.

If you are undertaking teacher training in Wales, you are not required to sit skills tests in order to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS) or to complete your induction year. This applies even if you go on to teach outside Wales. Contact your chosen ITT provider for more information.

Higher education (HE) institutions in every part of Wales offer initial teacher training (ITT) courses. Details are available from the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) 

The Teacher Training & Education in Wales and Welsh Assembly Government - Education and Skills websites are good sources of general information for teaching in Wales.

Language requirements

You do not have to be a Welsh speaker to undertake initial teacher training (ITT) in Wales, but if you are on a primary PGCE course, it is likely that you will be strongly encouraged to learn Welsh to at least a basic level. In some instances it may even be compulsory, as Welsh is a core subject throughout school to key stage 4.

At many institutions offering secondary courses, you will probably be offered the opportunity to learn Welsh. You may, of course, also choose to undertake your ITT course through the medium of Welsh.