Routes into Teaching

From traditional university studies to on-the-job training

Aaa1 12

If you are considering teaching as a career, you have come to the right place. The details within this section will ensure that you have the information you need to get started - eligibility, experience, training providers, types of course and funding.

Whether you’re a school leaver or recent graduate looking for a new career, or if you are already working in a school, find your route into teaching in our guide below:

I have a degree

If you already have a degree, you can enrol for postgraduate teacher training either through:

School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) - This is a school-based training programme. Trainees are placed in schools, usually local to them, and are supported with their training through seminars and lectures, observing expert practitioners, trainee presentations and assignments. The course is supported by educational research, along with practical classroom based training.
University-Based Initial Teacher Training (ITT) - This is a university-based training programme. Alongside lecture-based learning, trainees carry out work placements in a school setting, to gain experience in teaching the curriculum. As well as gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), trainees will also be awarded with a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education).
Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship - This is a work-based training route where the trainee earns a salary and receives off-the-job training when they are not teaching.

Most of the above options offer both full-time and part-time courses, with most courses lasting a year. In all cases, you will gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Some providers also offer a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) as part of their course.

Astra 72 Training course costs and funding: Funding is available to help you train to teach. If you choose a training course that has tuition fees, you may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees or to help with your living costs. There are also bursaries and scholarships available for a number of specific subjects.

Some courses offer a salaried route where the trainee is paid a salary whilst they are training. Talk to your preferred course provider for more detail on their course costs and funding options.

I don't have a degree

If you’ve just finished your A-levels, or you’ve got some work experience but haven’t got a degree, the following options are available to you:

Take an undergraduate degree in your preferred subject, and follow up with a postgraduate teacher training programme as outlined above in the ‘I have a degree’ section.
Take an undergraduate degree in Education. Here you will study for 3/4 years at a university with lectures and school placements provided during the course. The most common undergraduate teaching degrees, Bachelor of Education (BEd), BA(Hons) or BSc(Hons) include a teaching qualification. Other degrees may have an opt-in Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). It’s worth knowing that a degree with ‘Education’ in its title doesn’t always lead to a teaching qualification. Teacher training is referred to as Initial Teacher Training or Education (ITT or ITE) so look for this in qualification descriptions.
Undergo a Teacher Degree Apprenticeship (TDA). With a TDA, you’ll work in a school and earn a salary while getting a bachelor’s degree and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). It is a 4-year, full-time course with trainees spending an average of 40% of their time studying for their degree with a university.

I have a degree and I've worked in schools as an unqualified teacher

If you have a degree and substantial prior teaching experience as an unqualified teacher, you could take the Assessment Only (AO) route, based in your school.

Aaa1 34 This route will allow you to gain your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) without having to complete a full training programme. This route usually takes around 12 weeks and allows you to remain in a paid teaching post whilst qualifying. Talk to your preferred local ITT provider for more details on whether they support the Assessment Only route.

I have a teaching qualification from outside England, and/or teaching experience, but don’t have QTS

If you have a teaching qualification and teaching experience from outside of England, there are several options available to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

There are 4 routes to qualified teacher status for teachers and trainees from outside England:

More Information about SCITT and ITT providers in Buckinghamshire

There are several accredited School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) and Initial Teacher Training (ITT) providers based in Buckinghamshire, with a joint vision to recruit and train outstanding teachers and school leaders of the future. Links to their websites can be found below with further information about their individual provision:

Accredited SCITT and ITT providers in Buckinghamshire