From traditional university studies to on-the-job training

The education sector is in high demand for qualified teaching professionals in all areas of the discipline. From primary school teachers to university professors, teaching is full of ambitious and enthusiastic individuals who not only want to educate, but also become champions of future dreams of young people and adults alike.

Here are seven versatile routes into teaching that caters for individual study preferences and creates greater opportunities for individuals to pursue their teaching career.

1. Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

PGCE stands for Post Graduate Certificate in Education and is a 1-year training programme led by universities that also give you ‘Qualified Teacher Status’ (QTS) allowing you to officially teach as a trained and qualified professional.

The programme is aimed at prospective primary and secondary school teachers. One of the most common ways to gain a PGCE is through completing your subject degree of choice e.g. English or History, and then complete your PGCE training. You’ll carry out work placements to gain experience in teaching the curriculum in a school setting.

Undergraduate degree with post graduate training

PGCE

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2. Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship

This is a school-led programme whereby you can earn a salary as well as train on the job to gain your Qualified Teaching Status (QTS).

You’ll receive classroom teaching and 20% off-the-job training whereby you will complete university studies. The programme is designed by experienced schools and teachers.

Post-graduate Teaching Apprenticeship

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3. Assessment Only route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

This route will allow you to gain your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) through assessments if you have a degree and substantial experience of working in a school or education setting. This programme is usually 12 weeks and will allow you to become a qualified teacher and continue in your chosen career.

Assessment Only route to Qualified Teacher Status

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4. School-Centered Initial Teacher Training (SCITT)

This is another school-led programme with access to university studies. Often this programme will be tailored towards teaching in the local area, however, this still does include seminars and lectures that cover the same material as college training programmes and universities.

School Centered Initial Teacher Training

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5. Undergraduate Initial Teacher Training

These programmes allow you to apply for Teacher Training Programmes that include Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The most common route for prospective primary school teachers is taking a Bachelor of Education degree or a similar degree. They take 3–4 years to complete. You can also take similar degrees for secondary school teaching.

Undergraduate Initial Teacher Training

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6. Teach First Leadership Development Programme

This is a two-year leadership development and training programme that includes a salary whilst you train on the job. The programme allows you to become an inspirational leader in education, in particular the classroom itself. This programme will lead to a Postgraduarion Diploma in Education (PGDE) with QTS, a higher qualification than a PGCE.

You’ll also receive 5 weeks of intense training giving you the key knowledge and experience to teach in challenging classrooms.

Teach First Leadership Programme

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7. Undergraduate School-Centered Pathway

This is a school-led programme where you will study whilst working and specialise in teaching ages 3 – 11 in primary school. You’ll be placed in contrasting schools to gain wider experience overall. You will gain an Newly Qualified Teacher Status (NQT).

Whether you want to pursue an academic or practical route, each pathway will allow you to gain the necessary skills to embark on a rewarding career in teaching.

Undergraduate Early Years Initial Teacher Training

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