Get into teaching
If you’re interested in a career in teaching, there are a number of routes you can take. You can opt for a 3-year teaching training degree at undergraduate level, or a PGCE qualification once you have completed an undergraduate degree in a specific subject-area. Other routes include School Direct and Learn to Teach Locally.
Undergraduate teacher training degrees
If you wish to teach at primary school level, we offer a 3-year Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) undergraduate degree. This degree is a mix of university-based theory lessons, and classroom-based experience on placement in local schools. Find out more about our Early Education Primary (3-7) with SEND with QTS or Primary Education (5-11) with QTS courses.
Postgraduate qualifications
If you have already completed an undergraduate degree and you’d like to teach your subject area at secondary level, then our 1-year PGCE courses are for you. Visit our PGCE page to find out about the specific subject areas we offer.
School Based Routes
School Based 1-year courses are designed by groups of schools in partnership with the University. The schools generally recruit you as a trainee with a particular job in mind for you once you have completed the qualification (usually a PGCE). Find out more about our School Based options.
Applying for a teacher training course
All teacher training routes (with the exception of TeachFirst although experience will still help your application) will require you to have had recent work experience in a school with the age group you intend to teach. It is very important to get this before you apply and should be a priority if you are considering a career as a teacher.
There is also a requirement to have a minimum of a Grade C/Grade 4 or above in Maths and English GCSE (Science as well for Primary Teaching) before being accepted onto courses. Some institutions ask for higher grades so it is advisable to check before applying. Some institutions will accept equivalency tests so there are options if you do not have the required GCSEs, but again it is recommended to start thinking about this early.
For more information about our teacher training courses, visit our School of Education pages.