Routes into teaching
To become a qualified teacher in state-maintained schools across the UK, you need to undertake Initial Teacher Training (ITT) to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
At the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) we offer three different training routes to suit different candidates. You will need to decide which option is best suited to your skills and career aspirations, including which age range, and for Secondary, which subject you'd like to teach.
Read on to determine which pathway is right for you and how to choose your teacher training course by comparing these three options.
Fee-paying
All our courses are available through the fee-paying option. This is for those who already have an undergraduate degree and want to train to become a primary or secondary teacher. The course leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a PGCE qualification validated by the University of Birmingham at no additional cost.
Your training will last 11 months, five days a week (full-time), 16-20 months, three/four days a week (part-time).
You will be placed with a school at the beginning of your training and in a contrasting school in the Spring term.
For primary schools courses are available for those who wish to teach:
- Primary (3-7)
- Primary (5-11)
- Primary with mathematics (3-7)
- Primary with mathematics (5-11)
For secondary schools, courses are available for those who wish to teach:
- Art and Design
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing
- Design and Technology
- Drama
- English
- Geography
- History
- Languages (French, Mandarin, Spanish, Urdu, Arabic)
- Mathematics
- Music
- Physics
- Physical Education
- Religious Education.
Course fees of £9,250 are payable by trainees privately or using student-finance. Part-time training costs £6,935 for the first year and then another £6,935 pro rata according to how much of the second year is needed. The DfE and external agencies offer bursaries and scholarships for some courses, which change annually - up to £31,000 tax-free.
See the NIoT Funding page for more information on funding your training.
To be eligible you must have:
- A degree awarded by a UK higher education provider, or a recognised equivalent qualification with a supporting ENIC certificate
- A standard equivalent to grade C/4, or above, in the GCSE examinations in English/English Literature and Mathematics
- A standard equivalent to a grade C/4, or above, in a GCSE science subject examination if you wish to teach pupils aged three to 11 (early years and primary)
- A degree in the subject you wish to teach, although A-level subjects may be considered, and Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses are also available, if you wish to teach at secondary level.
See the Eligibility page for more information on what qualifications you need.
Salaried
Some of our courses are available via a salaried route. Although we don't have a formal requirement for classroom experience, we will prioritise candidates with a minimum of 6 months of teaching experience. This route leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and includes the PGCE validated by the University of Birmingham at no additional cost.
Your training will last 11 months, five days a week (full-time), 16-20 months, three/four days a week (part-time).
You will be placed with a school at the beginning of your training and in a contrasting school in the Spring term.
Salaried trainees are paid on the unqualified teacher scale. Salaries will vary depending on where in the country you teach, but will be at least at UNQ1 (£21,731) and are available in certain high-priority subjects including:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing
- English
- Geography
- Languages (French, Mandarin, Spanish)
- Mathematics
- Physics
Trainees are employed full-time for the duration of their training from the beginning of September until the end of August.
Course fees of £9,250 are payable by your placement school. Therefore, you won't have access to student finance or maintenance loans.
See the NIoT Funding page for more information on funding your training
To be eligible you must have:
- 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
- A degree in the subject you wish to teach, although A-level subjects may be considered, and Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses are also available, if you wish to teach at secondary level.
See the Eligibility page for more information on what qualifications you need.
Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship (PGTA)
This is a nationally recognised, employment-based route into teaching for those already working in a school with at least 12 months of classroom experience, in roles such as teaching assistants or HLTAs.
All trainees will work towards QTS and an end point assessment. A PGCE can be obtained for an additional cost. The PGCE is optional and costs an additional £1,200 payable directly by the placement school or apprentice.
Your training will last 14 months from the beginning of July to the end of August the following year, with only full-time study available.
You will be placed with a school at the beginning of your training and in a contrasting school in the Spring term.
For primary schools courses are available for those who wish to teach:
- Primary (3-7)
- Primary (5-11)
- Primary Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
For secondary schools, courses are available for those who wish to teach:
- Art and Design
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing
- Design and Technology
- Drama
- English
- Geography
- History
- Languages (French, Mandarin, Spanish, Urdu, Arabic)
- Mathematics
- Music
- Physics
- PE
- Religious Education.
Apprentices are paid on the unqualified teacher scale and are employed full-time for the duration of their training. Salaries will vary depending on where in the country you teach but will be at least at UNQ1 (£21,731).
Course fees of £9,000 are payable from the apprenticeship levy but certain rules apply. Neither you nor your school will incur a cost. Student finance and maintenance loans are not available. If you opt for the PGCE academic award alongside QTS, the cost to you as a trainee is £1,200.
To be eligible you must have:
- A degree awarded by a UK higher education provider, or a recognised equivalent qualification with a supporting ENIC certificate
- A standard equivalent to grade C/4, or above, in the GCSE examinations in English and Mathematics
- A standard equivalent to a grade C/4, or above, in a GCSE science subject examination if you wish to teach pupils aged three to 11 (early years and primary)
- A degree in the subject you wish to teach, although A-level subjects may be considered, and Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses are also available, if you wish to teach at secondary level.
- A Level 2 Functional Skills qualification are required to meet the apprenticeship gateway criteria if a GCSE equivalence examination is taken in English and/or mathematics
- Classroom experience of at least 12 months – length and roles may vary depending on the experience of each individual
- ESFA Apprenticeship eligibility criteria met, which includes being a resident of the UK (or EEA if a UK or EEA citizen) for the last three years.
See the Eligibility page for more information on what qualifications you need.