Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship
Harness new teaching talent in your school
The National Institute of Teaching’s Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship is a 14-month training programme that allows recruits to gain QTS and a teaching apprenticeship qualification, whilst remaining in paid employment in school.
Apprentices can specialise in primary or a specific subject at secondary level. Our blended learning approach combines in-school experience, centre-based training and off the job training.
The recommended submission date for PGTA applications is May 2025
Benefits for your school
Develop existing talent
The opportunity to develop the talent within your school, supporting your recruitment needs and improving staff retention.
More teaching capacity
Apprentices can start on a higher teaching timetable than other ITT trainees (up to 60% of their in-school time, rising to 80% for the last 6 weeks of the training year).
Teaching from day one
On the job training allows apprentices to continue their work in school. Apprentices are not supernumerary, meaning they can teach their own classes from day one.
Fees funded via levy
The training fee for your apprentice’s course can be released from the apprenticeship levy, providing your organisation contributes to this.
Programme Overview
Training for apprentices begins in July 2025, with our Flying Start week followed by two weeks in school, and our Intensive Training and Practice (ITaP) days at the end of August.
They’ll then return to school in September, working a 60-80% timetable (of their 4 days in school), whilst completing the NIoT’s Initial Teacher Education programme. All candidates must be released for centre training weekly on Thursdays and will also complete several weeks of a contrasting school placement in the spring term.
"The apprenticeship route was the perfect option for us to enable us to truly 'grow our own' and remove a potential financial barrier by funding via the levy. The training from the National Institute of Teaching genuinely builds reflective practitioners, which I believe is vital to developing a workforce committed to continuous improvement for the benefit of the pupils we serve."
Sally Herbert
Principal, Oasis Academy, Harpur Mount.
Qualifications gained
Apprentices will be recommended for QTS by early July 2026, and complete their end point assessment for the apprenticeship between early July 2026 and the end of term. Apprentices who wish to also undertake a PGCE must pay an additional £1,200. PGCE is subject to validation by the University of Birmingham.*
*NIoT currently works in partnership with the University of Birmingham (UoB). The UoB is the validating university and has responsibility for awarding the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) element of the NIoT’s programme. The NIoT has applied to the Office for Students (OfS) for registration and for New Degree Awarding Powers (NDAPs). The NIoT is currently awaiting the outcome of its applications. If the NIoT is awarded NDAPs prior to the start of the academic year 2025/26, then all new students shall be awarded their PGCE by the NIoT (rather than the UoB).
Salary grants available
Grant funding is available to contribute to the costs for qualifying trainees on postgraduate teaching apprenticeship courses.
- £29,000 for chemistry*, computing*, mathematics* and physics*
- £26,000 for French*, German* and Spanish*
- £17,000 for other languages (Mandarin, Urdu and Arabic), biology, design and technology, and geography
- £1,000 for art and design, music and RE
* subjects in bold are funded more generously through the PGTA than the salaried school-direct route. Other subjects are comparable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it cost?
- The apprenticeship cost is £9000, paid from the apprenticeship levy – there is no cost to your school or the apprentice.
- Your school is responsible for paying the apprentice’s salary and associated employment oncosts. Apprentices are paid on the unqualified teacher scale (at least at UNQ1) and are employed full time for the duration of their training contract (July 2025 – 31st August 2026).
- Candidates who wish to gain a PGCE must pay an additional £1,200. PGCE is subject to validation by the University of Birmingham
Who can apply?
We’ll only be accepting applications from internal candidates in the first instance. This means candidates who are currently working in the school they wish to train to teach in. They might be teaching assistants, HLTAs, or those who’ve entered the role though pastoral or SEND provision and have not had the chance to gain QTS. Candidates should only be nominated if your school is able to offer an apprenticeship role.
If your school is looking to fill a vacancy with an apprentice, the NIoT can work with you to support in recruiting an apprentice, who can then be assessed for eligibility to join our ITT programme. This process will open in 2025.
What courses can candidates apply for?
- Art and Design
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing
- Design and Technology
- Drama*
- English
- Geography
- History
- Mathematics
- MFL (French/Spanish/Mandarin)
- Music
- Physics
- Physical Education
- Religious Education
- Primary 3-7
- Primary 5-11
- Primary Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
*Subject to approval by the University of Birmingham
Are there any eligibility requirements for candidates?
Yes, we require potential apprentices to have the following:
- A degree awarded by a UK higher education provider, or a recognised equivalent qualification with supporting ENIC certificate.
- A standard equivalent to grade C/4, or above, in the GCSE examinations in English and Mathematics.
- To teach pupils aged three to 11 (early years and primary), a standard equivalent to a grade C/4, or above, in a GCSE science subject examination.
- If a GCSE equivalence examination is taken in English and/or mathematics, additionally Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications are required to meet the apprenticeship gateway criteria.
- To teach at secondary level, a degree in the subject the apprentice wishes to teach although A-level subjects may be considered, and Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses are also available.
- Classroom experience of at least 12 months – length and roles may vary depending on the experience of each individual. This does not necessarily need to be 12 months in their current school.
- All apprentices must meet the ESFA Apprenticeship eligibility criteria.
I’m a school leader and want to nominate an apprentice, what’s the next step?
Please complete our employer expression of interest form, and we’ll get back to you.
I work in a school and want to remain there as an apprentice, what's the next step?
Firstly, you’ll need to confirm with your school that they would like to take you on as an apprentice and can agree to the terms listed above. Please direct them to this webpage or share the brochure here. If they agree, your school can nominate you using the form above.