Routes into teaching in England

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This programme is offered by a number of universities, colleges, SCITTs, and School Direct training providers in England. If you are working as an unqualified teacher, you could achieve QTS via the Assessment Only route. If you have a degree and substantial experience of working in a school, early years, or further education setting, this option allows you to gain QTS without undergoing a teacher training programme.

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Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) training programmes are available for prospective primary and secondary school teachers. You apply to study with a specific training provider, and will conduct the majority of your study on campus. You’ll also get classroom experience, spending time teaching and being trained in at least two schools for a minimum of 24 weeks.

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A number of postgraduate Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) programmes are available via university or school-led training routes. All lead to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) on successful completion. EYTS allows you to specialise in working with children up to five years old only.

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Similar to School Direct (salaried) programmes, Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeships are a new, nationally-recognised, work-based route into teaching. In addition to working towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) on successful completion of the course, apprentices will also complete an end point assessment (EPA) after the summer to consolidate learning from initial teacher training.

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This option is for candidates who have completed, or are finishing, a doctorate. It is a three-year teacher training programme that offers a combination of classroom teaching and research opportunities, as you work towards gaining QTS. As well as gaining a teaching qualification, participants work towards the Research Leader in Education Award – a programme of professional development that utilises and enhances the skills researchers have, to maximise their impact on schools.

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If you qualified to teach in England but have never taught in a school, or wish to return to teaching after time away from the profession, support is available to help make the transition.

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This route allows you to learn ‘on the job’ and earn a salary while you train towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). It’s an employment-based route for high quality graduates, typically with at least three years’ transferable work history. While the majority of School Direct training programmes include a PGCE qualification, not all do. If gaining a PGCE is important to you, check with your training provider before applying. You will receive an unqualified teacher's salary from your school, and the cost of your training will be covered, but you may be charged for your PGCE fees if awarded.

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With this training route, you’ll be based in a school, but will also be taught by the university, college, or SCITT that the school partners with. The school won’t be your employer, and in many ways, your training will be similar to other programmes in universities, colleges, and SCITTs. School Direct courses lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), and the majority of these training programmes also include a PGCE qualification, but not all do. If gaining a PGCE is important to you, check before applying.

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This option combines leadership development and teacher training, giving applicants the chance to become an inspirational leader in classrooms that need it the most. It is a two year salaried programme, leading to a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) qualification. Following five weeks of intensive training, you’ll continue to learn on the job while you work towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

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This undergraduate route is for those wanting to teach Early Years Foundation Stage. You can apply for a degree in an early childhood-related subject to graduate with Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS). EYTS allows you to specialise in working with children up to five years old only. Courses take between three to four years to complete.