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Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is the qualification required by those who wish to teach in state schools in England and Wales, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is an additional academic qualification which includes QTS.

The PGCE is one of the most popular routes into teaching, and is ideal for both graduates and for those considering a career change. The one-year course blends academic and practical learning through a combination of school placements and University-based sessions.

To gain Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), you undertake a Postgraduate Certificate in Early Years Practice with EYTS. EYTS is awarded to graduates who have been judged to have met all of the Teachers' Standards (Early Years).

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University-led or school direct teaching qualifications

Both programmes are taught in an integrated model and provide you with extensive school-based experience but they're delivered differently.

University-led teaching qualification

  • You will gain a substantial amount of school-based experience.
  • You will have placements in at least two schools.
  • All our PGCE courses have QTS as an outcome.
  • You will study for one year.
  • Fees are payable. For more information, please refer to our fees and funding pages.
  • To apply for teacher training courses in England you should use Apply for teacher training, a new GOV.UK service. 
  • To learn more about the new service and to get help with your application, visit Get into Teaching.
     

School Direct teaching qualification

  • You will gain a substantial amount of school-based experience.
  • You will have one lead school, although you will spend time in a second school.
  • All school-led courses lead to QTS and some include a PGCE.
  • You will train for one year.
  • To apply for teacher training courses in England you should use Apply for teacher training, a new GOV.UK service.
  • To learn more about the new service and to get help with your application, visit Get into Teaching.

Routes into teaching

Postgraduate Certificate in Early Years Practice

We offer two Early Years options for those wanting to train/qualify to work with babies and young children.

Primary PGCE

We offer a range of PGCE primary courses with different pathways and subject specialisms.

Primary School Direct

Want to gain a teaching qualification to teach at primary level through School Direct?

Secondary PGCE

We offer training in a wide range of curriculum subjects, covering the 11-18 age range.

Secondary School Direct

Want to gain a teaching qualification to teach at secondary level through School Direct?

Subject Knowledge Enhancement

If you have already received an offer of a place for secondary teacher training, you may need to complete an Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course in order to fulfil the conditions of entry.

Assessment Only

Are you an experienced teacher? Do you wish to gain QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) or EYTS (Early Years Teacher Status)?

Don't have a degree but want to teach

If you have A levels or equivalent qualifications, you can train to become a teacher at university and gain QTS (Qualified Teacher Status).

We offer four undergraduate courses with QTS as an outcome, each with their own specialism.

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Teacher training events

Come to a Postgraduate Initial Teacher Education event. These events cover all routes into teaching for Early Years, Primary and Secondary Postgraduate programmes.

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Read our stories

Read about the experiences of our students and the work of our academics.

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Education brochure

Our programmes are designed to challenge, inspire and equip you to become an outstanding educational practitioner. Read the brochure to find out more.