Train To Teach

Routes into teaching

Routes into teacher training

There are lots of different pathways into teacher training in the UK, including:

  • School-Based Route: if you already have a university degree, a School-Based Initial Teacher Training (ITT) route is a hands-on way to become a teacher by learning directly in a school setting.
  • Undergraduate University Route: a Bachelor of Education (BEd) Hons degree (with QTS) includes university study and school placement, studied over 3 years.
  • Apprenticeship Route: if you already have some in-school experience, the apprenticeship route allows you to gain further classroom experience and work towards a degree and QTS, all while earning a wage.

Completion of these routes leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in England and Wales. This qualifies you to teach.

The route you choose will depend on your qualifications, experience and preferences. To find out which route is best for you, visit the DfE Get Into Teaching website: Find your route into teaching | Get Into Teaching GOV.UK

For more information about the different routes into teaching, expand the headings below and visit our Routes Explained page.

Find postgraduate teacher training courses and providers

To find out more about what is on offer, search for teacher training courses available in your area through the DfE website here: Find postgraduate teacher training courses.

If you are looking to work within the Saffron Teaching School Hub area, find out more about local providers and see what routes they offer here.

Trainees and teachers from outside the UK

If you're not a UK citizen, but want to train and teach in the UK, there is information and support available here.

Train to Teach:

You can apply to train to teach in England if you:

  • Live outside the UK
  • Live in the UK but are a non-UK citizen

Before you apply, you must check your eligibility to train to teach in England.

If you're already a teacher:

Teaching in England offers exciting opportunities, including:

You will need English Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) to teach in most schools in England. QTS is a professional teaching qualification that teachers in England gain at the end of their training.

You will also need a high standard of written and spoken English to teach in England.

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