PGTA Information for Candidates
The Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to train as a teacher while remaining employed in your current school. You’ll gain hands-on classroom experience from day one, work towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), and have a clear pathway for career progression, all while earning a salary and building on the experience you already have in your school and community.
Why our programme?
The National Institute of Teaching’s Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship is designed to help you develop into a confident, capable teacher while training on the job.
- Fully immersive: You’ll spend 39 weeks learning and teaching in your school, including a four-week placement in a contrasting setting to broaden your experience.
- Fully supported: You’ll be supported throughout the programme by an experienced NIoT tutor, working alongside your school mentor to help you succeed and thrive.
- Spiral curriculum: Your training builds over time, revisiting key ideas so your classroom practice becomes more confident and sophisticated as your knowledge grows.
- Research-informed: Your training is shaped by the latest research into what works best in teacher development, so you can have a real impact in the classroom.
What does it cost?
The Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship allows you to earn a salary while you train, with the cost of training covered through apprenticeship funding.
- You’ll be employed full time by your school and paid on the unqualified teacher pay scale for the duration of the programme (August 2026 – August 2027).
- The £9,000 apprenticeship training cost is fully funded through the Apprenticeship Levy, so there are no tuition fees for the programme itself.
- If you choose to also gain a PGCE, this is available for an additional £1,200.
Which qualifications will I gain?
By the end of the programme, you’ll be working towards recognised teaching qualifications:
- You’ll be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) by early July 2027.
- You’ll complete the apprenticeship end point assessment before the end of the academic year.
- You can also choose to gain a PGCE, awarded by the National Institute of Teaching, for an additional £1,200.
As national apprenticeship arrangements evolve, we’ll continue to share updates about any changes to assessment or qualification requirements.
What courses can I apply for?
You can train in Primary, Secondary or SEND, depending on your experience and the support of your school:
Secondary (11–16):
Art and Design • Biology • Business Studies • Chemistry • Computing • Design and Technology • Drama • English • Geography • History • Mathematics • MFL (French / Spanish / Mandarin) • Music • Physics • Physical Education • Religious Education
Primary:
Primary (3–7) • Primary (5–11) • Primary SEND
Who can apply?
The apprenticeship route is designed for people who are already working in a school and ready to take the next step into teaching.
This might include teaching assistants, HLTAs, cover supervisors, or colleagues working in pastoral or SEND roles who haven’t yet gained QTS.
You’ll need your school’s agreement to employ and nominate you as an apprentice in order to apply.
Are there any eligibility requirements?
To be eligible for the Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship, you’ll need:
- A UK degree, or a recognised equivalent (with an ENIC certificate)
- GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or above in English and Maths
- For Primary (3–11): GCSE science at grade C/4 or above
- For Secondary: a degree related to the subject you wish to teach (A-levels may be considered, and subject knowledge enhancement courses are available)
- At least 12 months’ classroom experience (this doesn’t need to be in your current school)
- To meet apprenticeship eligibility requirements
Next steps
To move forward with the Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship, you’ll need to:
- Talk to your school about supporting your application. Your school or trust needs to be able to release apprenticeship funding for the programme.
- Check your eligibility by reviewing the programme requirements and making sure you have the necessary qualifications, experience, and personal details ready (e.g., degree, GCSEs, classroom experience, address, date of birth, NI number).
- Prepare to discuss the process with your school so they understand what supporting your apprenticeship will involve.
How to get nominated
Once you’ve expressed your interest in the Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship, a member of our regional recruitment team will contact you. They will guide you through the next steps and work with your school to gather the necessary information.
After checking your eligibility, we’ll provide your school with an Employer Nomination Form to complete. Once this form is submitted, your apprenticeship application can move forward, and we’ll continue to support both you and your school throughout the process.