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Getting into teacher training

Looking to get into teaching? Our comprehensive guide on getting into postgraduate teacher training covers everything you need to know, including the various routes you can take, entry requirements, fees and funding and more. If you’re interested in undergraduate (QTS) routes into teaching, you can find out more on our Education and Teaching subject page.

Routes into teaching

Before you get into teaching, you need to decide which age range you wish to teach – primary, secondary or the Further Education and Skills (FES). FES includes further education colleges, sixth form colleges, adult learning centres, prisons and training providers.

If you are interested in secondary or FES teaching, you’ll need to select a subject to teach.

Primary teacher training has a range of options:

  • Early Years – Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1
  • General Primary – Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
  • Primary with a specialist subject such as PE or maths. This covers the whole Primary curriculum but you will develop a specialism in your chosen subject.
Becoming a school teacher
Teaching in the Further Education and Skills (FES) sector

Entry requirements

School teaching

To become a school teacher there are national requirements plus individual requirements set by individual providers:

  • The classification depends on the provider, Edge Hill requires 2.2 or above. For secondary teaching, your degree should be relevant to the subject you wish to teach, though there is flexibility with this, especially in certain subjects. In some subjects, you can complete a Subject Knowledge Enhancement Programme if you do not have enough subject content in your first degree.
  • GCSE Maths, English (and Science for Primary/Early Years) grade C/4 or equivalent. Equivalency tests are available if you do not have the required GCSEs
  • Individual providers/universities can set extra requirements such as additional GCSEs – always check.
  • Classroom experience is recommended but not essential at the point of application.
  • There is no longer a requirement to complete Professional Skills Tests.

Teaching in Further Education and Skills (FES)

  • You’ll need a degree in a subject relevant to the FES curriculum to teach academic subjects. Individual providers will decide what classification of degree is required. Edge Hill University accepts 2:2 and above.
  • GCSE Maths and English grade C/4 or equivalent are preferred, this depends on the provider.
  • Experience is desirable but not always essential.

Fees and funding

The tuition fee for a PGCE or Postgraduate Teacher Training course is typically £9,250. You can apply for a further year of loans for fees and maintenance (full time and part time students).

Financial support

On salaried courses, you do not need to pay fees and you are paid a salary.

A trainee teacher speaks to a classroom of secondary school students
Learn more with our PGCE/Postgraduate Teacher Training funding guide Explore more on Teacher Training funding on the GOV.UK website

How and when to apply

For university-led and most school-led routes into teacher training, you’ll need to apply on the .GOV website which opens in October for applications starting the following September.

Search for providers on GOV.UK website

The application form will ask for the below information:

  • Contact details
  • Qualifications
  • Work experience (paid and unpaid)
  • Personal statement
  • There are also optional sections for you to provide information relating to the Disclosure and Barring Service and requirements for additional support

Applications are free and you can apply to up to four courses.

Further information on how to apply and what you need to do
Other routes into Teacher Training

Your personal statement

A student in a support session with our wellbeing team.

Your personal statement is an important part of your application. We recommend that you draft it in Word and ask Careers to check it, for structure and content, before you submit it.

Find more useful tips on writing a personal statement for teacher training on the Get into Teaching website.

Your statement should be no more than 1000 words and you are prompted to use the structure below. We have provided a guide:

Personal statement guide

Classroom experience

Although you don’t have to have classroom experience before you apply, it is recommended because it demonstrates your commitment to teaching, gives you something to reflect on in your application and interview and helps you decide that you definitely want to become a teacher.

You can find more on how to get school experience on the Get into Teaching website.

Where can I experience?
How do I contact the school and what should I say?
When you’re in school
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

Teacher training interviews

You could be invited to interview by each of your chosen training providers. Allow a full day for each interview.

In addition to a formal interview, you might be given other tasks including:

  • Writing about an educational topic.
  • Participating in a discussion eg planning a lesson, discussing current educational issues, commenting on a video of a lesson, discussions about discipline and classroom management, discussions around your subject area and teaching and learning strategies and more.
  • Writing a lesson plan.
  • Teaching/micro teaching a lesson.
  • Selection Tests – many primary interview days will include Maths, English and Science written tests. Information on these should be available from the provider.
  • Tour of the institution.
  • Talk to current teacher training students and staff.
An interviewer shakes hands with an interviewee.
Preparation
Research
Examples of interview questions

Resources

  • Get into Teaching government helpline 0800 389 2500 or live chat
  • Further education and training sector advice FE Advice or helpline 0800 389 2502