University-led PGCE or PGDE
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) training programmes are available for prospective primary and secondary school teachers. You'll get classroom experience by spending time teaching and being trained in at least two schools, as well as time at the university you’ve chosen, working with a group of other students and being taught by university staff.
Typically a one year programme, students must complete a minimum of 120 days in a school, among blocks of study at their chosen training provider. Spaces on popular teacher training programmes fill up quickly. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so we would advise you to apply early. We've created a video about the available training routes to help you think through the differences between the types of training programmes, with insight from teachers.
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Graduate Teacher Programme
From September 2020, the Graduate Teacher Programme will be replaced by a new employment-based scheme. See ‘planned salaried PGCE.'
For prospective primary and secondary teachers wishing to study for their Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in Wales, the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) is an employment-based route into teaching which offers a way to qualify as a teacher while you work. Programmes typically last for one year and require students to pass a newly qualified teaching year (induction).
The GTP is very similar to School Direct (salaried) programmes in England, but is managed and delivered by the three regional teacher training centres in Wales:
- North and Mid Wales Centre for Teacher Education
- South West Wales Centre of Teacher Education
- South East Wales Centre for Teacher Education
There are a limited number of primary and secondary places available on the GTP in Wales each year. Applications are made directly to the regional teacher training centres. For more information, visit Discover Teaching in Wales.
Planned salaried PGCE
From September 2020, the Graduate Teacher Programme will be replaced by a new employment-based scheme.
The new two year programme will allow you to receive a salary to teach in a school as an unqualified teacher. You will work towards a PGCE qualification (including 60 Masters level credits) and meeting Qualified Teacher Status standards. The Open University are developing this new scheme in partnership with Welsh government, regional consortia, and schools throughout Wales.
For more information, visit discover teaching.
Planned part-time PGCE
From September 2020, a part-time PGCE route into teaching will be available.
The new scheme will take two years to complete, and will allow student teachers to study while working or balancing other life commitments. You will work towards a PGCE qualification (including 60 Masters level credits) and meeting QTS standards.
The Open University are developing this new scheme in partnership with Welsh government, regional consortia, and schools throughout Wales.
For more information visit discover teaching.
Teach First: Leadership Development Programme
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, and is only available in South Wales to those who hold a 2:1 degree or above.