Deciding to become a teacher means navigating a genuinely confusing mix of qualifications and routes, QTS, PGCE, School Direct, teaching apprenticeships, that all lead to broadly the same career but work very differently in practice. Getting the route right for your circumstances matters just as much as the decision to teach in the first place.
This guide explains the main routes into teaching in England, what each involves, and how to choose the one that fits your situation.
Understanding QTS, PGCE and PGDE
These terms get used interchangeably, but they mean different things.
- QTS (Qualified Teacher Status): The professional status legally required to teach in most state-maintained schools in England and Wales.
- PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education): An academic qualification, usually carrying 60 master’s-level credits, that most training routes combine with QTS.
- PGDE (Professional Graduate Diploma in Education): The Scottish equivalent, and occasionally offered in England, carrying 120 master’s-level credits instead of 60.
Some training routes award QTS without a PGCE, so it is always worth checking exactly what qualification a specific course leads to before applying.
Main Routes Into Teaching
| Route | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| University-led PGCE | One year full-time, mostly university-based with school placements | Recent graduates wanting strong academic grounding alongside practical training |
| School Direct (fee-based) | School-led training with a university partner, similar structure to a PGCE | Graduates who prefer hands-on, classroom-based learning from day one |
| School Direct (salaried) | Employed as an unqualified teacher while training on the job, no tuition fees | Career changers with significant relevant work experience |
| Teaching apprenticeship | Level 6 apprenticeship combining work and study, often alongside a PGCE | Those wanting to earn while training, though vacancies remain limited |
Funding Your Teacher Training
How you fund teacher training depends heavily on which route you choose:
- Fee-based routes: Standard student finance, including a tuition fee loan and maintenance loan, is generally available, alongside subject-specific bursaries or scholarships in priority subjects.
- Salaried routes: You earn an unqualified teacher’s wage while training and pay no tuition fees, but you are not eligible for student finance, scholarships or bursaries alongside this.
- Teaching apprenticeships: Funded through the apprenticeship levy system, meaning no tuition fees and a wage throughout training.
Entry Requirements
Most postgraduate teacher training routes require:
- A degree, or recognised equivalent qualification, in any subject for primary teaching, or a related or relevant subject for secondary teaching.
- GCSE grade 4 or above in English and maths, and science for primary applicants, or equivalent qualifications.
- Relevant school experience, which, while not always mandatory, significantly strengthens an application and helps confirm the career is genuinely right for you.
If your degree subject does not closely match the secondary subject you want to teach, subject knowledge enhancement courses exist specifically to bridge that gap before you start formal training.
How to Apply
Applications for teacher training in England are made through the Department for Education’s application portal rather than the standard undergraduate UCAS system, with up to four choices allowed and a single personal statement shared across them. Applications typically open in early October, and popular subjects can fill quickly, so applying early is genuinely advantageous rather than just conventional advice.
Choosing the Right Route for You
- Choose a university-led PGCE if you want strong academic grounding alongside classroom experience, particularly if you are considering further academic study later.
- Choose School Direct if you prefer learning primarily through hands-on classroom practice from the outset.
- Choose a salaried route if you are a career changer with substantial relevant experience and want to earn while training.
- Choose a teaching apprenticeship if earning throughout training matters most and a suitable vacancy is available in your area.
Studying Online, Free Routes and Costs
Some university-led PGCE providers now offer a partly or fully online route, blending remote study days with the same in-person school placements every route requires, since classroom experience cannot be replaced by online learning. Whether this suits you depends on your preferred learning style rather than it being an easier option.
In terms of cost, fee-based routes (university-led PGCE and School Direct fee-based) typically charge the standard postgraduate tuition fee, covered by student finance, while salaried routes and teaching apprenticeships involve no tuition fees at all since you are employed throughout. International applicants should note that most free or funded teacher training routes are aimed at UK and Irish nationals or those with settled status, so eligibility for salaried and apprenticeship routes should always be checked directly with the provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an upper age limit to train as a teacher in the UK?
No. There is no upper age limit for teacher training in the UK, and career changers in their 30s, 40s and beyond train and qualify every year, often bringing valuable prior work experience to the classroom.
Can I do a PGCE without GCSEs?
You generally need GCSE grade 4 or above (or a recognised equivalent) in English and maths, and science for primary applicants, though equivalency tests are available for those without the exact GCSE certificates.
Do I need a PGCE to become a teacher?
Not necessarily. What you legally need is QTS, and while most routes combine this with a PGCE, some award QTS on its own, so it is worth checking the specific qualification a course leads to.
Can I train to teach if my degree is in an unrelated subject?
Yes, particularly for primary teaching, and subject knowledge enhancement courses exist to help secondary applicants bridge gaps between their degree subject and their intended teaching subject.
How much do trainee teachers get paid on salaried routes?
Unqualified teacher salaries on salaried training routes typically range between roughly £22,600 and £35,300 outside London, and higher within London, depending on the school and route.
When should I apply for teacher training?
Applications generally open in early October with no fixed closing date, but popular subjects and providers fill up quickly, so applying as early as possible is genuinely advantageous.
Choosing the right teacher training route comes down to matching the funding structure and training style to your own circumstances, not simply picking the most familiar-sounding option. If you are still weighing up teaching against other career paths, our guide to choosing a career path can help you think it through more broadly, and our CV writing tips guide covers how to present your application strongly whichever route you choose.
