According to IRIS, UK schools are facing a teacher shortage crisis, especially in STEM subjects.
Many people think about how long does it take to become a teacher UK. How hard is it, and what are the best routes? The answers depend on your current qualifications and career goals.
Whether you are a UK or a non-UK citizen, becoming a teacher is not as complicated as it sounds.
In most cases, you’ll need a Qualified Teacher Status QTS to teach in the UK. Multiple routes are available to gain QTS. With this guide, you can find the route that works best for you.
Let’s explore your steps to becoming a teacher in the UK.
Step 1: Choosing Your Teaching Path
Becoming a teacher in England requires specific qualifications, depending on your ideal career path.
The UK’s education system is divided into primary, secondary, vocational, and higher education.
- Primary Education: Key Stages 1 and 2.
- Secondary Education: Key Stages 3 and 4.
- Further Education: College and sixth form students.
The core subjects include Science, English and Maths. Other subjects include modern foreign languages, humanities arts, design and technology, etc.
How about UK schools? The main types of schools are state schools and private schools.
State schools require Qualified Teacher Status QTS and a bachelor’s degree, especially if you want to teach primary and secondary schools.
Although QTS is not mandatory for teaching private schools, it is highly preferred.
To gain a QTS, you’ll need to complete initial teacher training courses.
Step 2: Understanding Teacher Training Routes
To obtain QTS, you’ll need to complete initial teacher training programmes (ITT). The Department for Education (DfE) regulates these programmes.
Each programme provides different benefits, depending on your career goals.
1. University-Led ITT Programmes
These teacher training programmes combine academic study with school placement. To answer how long it takes to become a teacher in the UK, university-led programmes typically take 1-2 years to complete.
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education PGCE
Typically, it takes 1-2 years to complete this course. You’ll gain teaching experience and skills through school placements. The course also involves subject knowledge enhancement through university-based study.
PGCE includes courses for teaching primary, secondary, and further education.
Becoming a teacher in England through PGCE can take up to 2 years.
A 2:2 or higher Bachelor’s degree and a minimum grade of C/4 in English and Maths are required.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Education PGDE
This postgraduate teacher training course is similar to the PGCE but focuses on the Scottish education system. Compared to PGCE, this programme has more extended school placements.
The entry requirements are similar to PGCE. Some providers might have additional policies.
2. School-Led ITT Programmes
These programs give you practical skills and experience through school placement. Generally, you need one year to complete School Led ITT.
- School Direct
School Direct is an employment-based route for high-quality graduates. You will teach in a school during the programme and earn while you learn.
- School-Centered Initial Teacher Training SCITT
This teacher training programme focuses on teaching experience through a school setting. You’ll gain practical skills such as classroom management and pedagogical skills.
3. Employment-Based ITT Programmes
These programmes are excellent for graduates aiming for QTS and leadership skills. Depending on providers, you can expect 1-2 years to complete Employment-based ITT.
- Teach First
Teach First is for talented graduates and career changers. You’ll gain teaching and leadership skills. This two-year training programme involves school placement.
- Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship
If you wish to earn while you learn, this route is a great option.
This route is ideal for those wanting to earn while they train and is completed within 12 months. Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship has a similar approach to School Direct but with an endpoint assessment.
The course combines theory with practical work and leads to QTS.
- Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship
This course is similar to School Direct and includes an end-point assessment. Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship is excellent for those who are already teachers but haven’t gained a QTS yet.
4. Assessment-Only Route
If you are already a teacher without a QTS, you might find these routes suitable. This route doesn’t require additional training.
Tes Institute is one of the providers.
If you are a teacher outside the UK looking for an assessment-only route to gain QTS, check out Buckingham University.
5. Undergraduate ITT Programmes
It takes 3-4 years to complete Undergraduate ITT Programmes. You will gain a subject degree with QTS.
- Bachelor of Education (BEd)
Also known as BEd Hons, this programme leads to QTS through gaining teaching experience.
Generally, you’ll study education and a subject, English, for instance.
Depending on the provider, you may need A-levels to apply.
Step 3: Applying For ITT
Depending on the provider, the entry requirements can vary.
Generally, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree to teach primary and secondary schools. The minimum requirement will be a GCSE grade of 4 (C) in English and Maths. If you wish to teach a science subject, you’ll also need a GCSE 4 in science.
Other qualifications alternatives to GCSEs can also be accepted, depending on the programme provider.
According to DBS Checks, you will also need to apply for an enhanced DBS check with a barred list.
Check Get Into Teaching for more information.
Step 4: Financial Support
Financial support is available for teacher training, particularly in high-demand subjects like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and modern foreign languages.
The UK government offers bursaries and scholarships to help cover costs. Additionally, certain programmes like Teach First offer paid training.
Step 5: Find a Teaching Job
First, you need to research and find schools to apply to. Check Teaching Vacancies to find available teaching jobs in the UK.
Usually, schools look at your employment history and educational and professional qualifications. So, craft a strong teacher’s resume.
By mentioning your interpersonal skills on your teaching resume and showcasing them in your interview, you have more chances of finding your ideal job in the UK. Besides knowledge and skill set, teaching requires related soft skills. How to be a nice teacher? Patience, listening skills, communication, and empathy are valuable tools for a teacher.
As for your interview, we suggest researching The national curriculum to showcase your knowledge of the UK education system.
Tutoring is also an excellent option for aspiring teachers. How to be a certified tutor?
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Pro Tip: Ongoing professional development for teachers in the UK helps you stand out as a successful teacher. Taking subject knowledge enhancement courses can help you with that. |
Start Your First Teaching Job Today
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You don’t need prior work experience to start your career. We provide our tutors with resources to help them become superb educators.
Join us today and sharpen your teaching skills and gain more experience through our interactive tools.
Teaching in the UK as an International Applicant
For qualified teachers outside the UK, teacher training courses are not mandatory. You can work as a teacher for up to 4 years without the QTS. For more information, check out Awarding Qualified Teacher Status to overseas teachers. Below is a guide on how to be a teacher UK:
- Get a statement of comparability for your qualifications from UK ENIC.
- You will need the correct immigration status or visa.
- You need strong English skills, partially writing and speaking.
- Pass criminal and professional safeguard checks. Don’t worry about this part; your employers will do all the work.
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Some schools sponsor a Skilled Worker visa, which allows you to work in the UK for up to 5 years. You will be able to extend your visa if you change your job. |
How to be a teacher in UK FAQ
- How long does it take to become a teacher in the UK?If you wish to become a teacher in the UK through QTS, you need to complete a teacher training course. The courses leading to QTS take 1-2 years to complete.
- Can a foreigner become a teacher in the UK?Yes. Those qualified teachers outside the UK do not need to take teacher training programs. But, you’ll need to meet the requirements of teaching standards and proficient English language skills. You will also need the correct immigration status or visa.
- Can you teach a subject you don't have a degree in?Yes. Teacher training programs help you gain knowledge and skills for teaching any subject. Subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) courses can help you fill any gap.