Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship

Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship programmes are a nationally-recognised, work-based route into teaching. It is an alternative to a traditional full-time university course, offering a postgraduate-level qualification, no tuition fees, and the opportunity to earn while you learn.

• Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeships are available for prospective primary and secondary school teachers in England.
• You’ll be employed by a school while you learn on the job. In some cases, this may be a school you’re already working at, or have an existing relationship with.
• As Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeships are new, there are currently only a limited number of vacancies. Each training provider will have a set plan for when they’re opening theirs, so keep a look out.
• If you’re currently working as an unqualified teacher or teaching assistant, it offers new opportunities for career progression, plus higher earning capacity, recognition, and status.
• You’ll receive a combination of classroom teaching and off-the-job training as you to work towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Check with your training provider to find out if the apprenticeship also includes a PGCE and master's level credits. Where this is an option, there may be an additional cost required for completion of the PGCE.

Similar to School Direct (salaried) programmes, you’ll be employed directly by the school. Unlike School Direct (salaried) programmes:

• Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship programmes combine paid work with on and off-the-job training. The design of the programme has been led by a group of experienced schools and teachers, specifically for apprentices
• apprentices will split their time between school and university study. You’ll receive practical, school-led training alongside experienced staff, and spend at least 20% of your time off-timetable to learn the pedagogy of teaching
• in addition to working towards 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

Entry requirements

You must have achieved the following minimum requirements to be eligible to apply for Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship programmes:

1. You'll need to hold a degree awarded by a UK higher education provider, or a recognised equivalent qualification.
2. You’ll need to have achieved a standard equivalent to grade C/4, or above, in the GCSE examinations in English and mathematics.
3. If you intend to train to teach pupils aged three to 11 (early years and primary), you must also have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C/4, or above, in a GCSE science subject examination.

Some training providers may also have specific entry criteria. Check the details of the training programme when searching for courses, to establish if it matches your qualifications and experience. As teaching involves working with children on a daily basis, there are also some non-academic requirements you'll need to meet.

Fees and funding

With Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship programmes, you won’t need to pay any tuition fees. You'll be employed by a school, and salaries will differ between employers. Please check with your chosen training providers before you apply.

How to apply

• Applicants should be aware that training providers may choose to change their School Direct (salaried) programmes to Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship programmes – check with your chosen training provider before you apply.
• Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeships are only available in England, although applications may be made from all parts of the UK. Contact your chosen training provider before you apply to make sure they are actively recruiting.

Explore your options

You can apply to up to three training programmes on your UCAS Teacher Training application. It’s worth considering a combination of different routes when you apply (university, school direct, and SCITT). Last year, candidates who were more flexible about their choice of route were more likely to secure a place. Find out more about university and school-led postgraduate initial teacher training programmes in England.