Becoming a teacher in England
To teach in a state school in England, you must have a degree, and gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) by following a programme of Initial Teacher Training (ITT). You must have achieved minimum requirements in GCSE English and maths, and GCSE science if you wish to teach at primary-level. You’ll also need to pass the professional skills tests in numeracy and literacy before you begin your teacher training. You can teach in independent schools, academies, and free schools in England without QTS, but it’s a definite advantage to have it.
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Explore your options
Which teacher training route is right for you? Are you a school leaver, recent graduate, or career changer? Use our interactive tool to narrow your search and explore your options.
Already have a degree?
Find out about postgraduate university and school-led programmes, including PGCE and PGDE, School Direct, SCITT, and Teach First.
Don't have a degree?
Find out about undergraduate programmes including BEd, BA and BSc with QTS, Troops to Teachers, and post-16 teaching qualifications.
Eligibility for teacher training
Find out about required qualifications, school experience, subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) courses, and taking the professional skills tests.
Fees and funding
Find out more about funding, including bursaries, scholarships, and tuition fee and maintenance loans you may be eligible for to support your training.
Apply through UCAS Teacher Training
This is the scheme to apply for the main postgraduate routes leading to QTS. If you don’t already have a degree, you can apply via UCAS Undergraduate for teacher training programmes, to graduate with QTS.
UCAS Teacher Training blog
Get top tips from current trainees, application advice from ITT tutors, and expert introductions to key issues in education to help you get ready for your course.
Support from the Department for Education (DfE)
The DfE's Get Into Teaching team offers free one-to-one advice on everything to do with teacher training, from fees and funding, to arranging school experience. Register online now, or call them on 0800 389 2500.