School Direct is a one-year full-time route into teaching. ​​All School Direct programmes lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - allowing you to teach at either primary or secondary level in England and Wales. Two School Direct programmes lead to a PGCE as well as QTS.

School Direct programmes enable you to gain a school-led teaching qualification whilst working in close partnership with the University of Reading.

We work with over 300 schools - both primary and secondary - to offer this route into teaching alongside the well-established university-led PGCE route. At the Institute of Education, we pride ourselves on the excellent relationships we have with these partner schools.

Secondary School Direct Film

• School Direct programmes
• School Direct subjects
• Our School Direct partners
• Applications and enquiries

School Direct programmes

If you decide to follow a school-led route you will need to select from the following programmes:

School Direct Tuition Fee Programme QTS only

Lead Schools offer training based in school with supporting sessions at the Institute of Education. You may be eligible for a bursary depending on your subject and undergraduate degree.

• Duration: 1 year
• Fees: payable by the student
• Outcome: QTS only

School Direct Tuition Fee Programme PGCE

This programme is delivered through training in schools and supporting sessions looking at effective teaching taught at the Institute of Education. You may be eligible for a bursary and student loan for this programme.

• Duration: 1 year, full time
• Fees: payable by the student
• Outcome: PGCE and QTS

School Direct Salaried Programme QTS Only

This programme is taught through training in schools and supporting sessions at the  Institute of Education.  For a salaried place you must have at least three years' full time work experience (in any industry) after your degree.

• Duration: 1 year, full time
• Fees: paid by School and the student will receive a salary
• Outcome: QTS only

School Direct Salaried Programme PGCE

This programme is taught through training in schools and supporting evidence-based sessions at a the  Institute of Education. For a salaried place you must have at least three years' full time work experience (in any industry) after your degree.

• Duration: 1 year, full time
• Fees: paid by School and the student will receive a salary
• Outcome: PGCE and QTS

Applications for all School Direct courses should be made to the lead schools through UCAS.

Secondary School Direct subjects

The following secondary specialist subjects are available via the School Direct route:

• Art and Design
• Computer Science
• Design & Technology
• Drama
• English
• Geography
• History
• Mathematics
• Modern Foreign Languages
• Music
• Physical Education
• Religious Education
• Science: Biology
• Science: Chemistry
• Science: Physics

Candidates wishing to teach Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science at secondary level and who do not have a related degree should also visit the SKE (Subject Knowledge Enhancement) page.

Our School Direct partners

Applications and enquiries

Applications for all School Direct programmes should be made to the lead school through UCAS. You can apply to more than one school with School Direct, and also for other routes into teaching such as our University-led campus-based Primary or  Secondary PGCE programmes.

Visit the Department for Education (DfE) website for more information on School Direct, or contact the University of Reading School Direct administration team on schooldirect@reading.ac.uk.