Postgraduate teacher training courses are available across England, led by universities or schools. The course you choose will depend on your subject, degree class and location. Whichever course you choose, your training will largely be the same. If you do not have a degree, you can gain a degree and qualified teacher status (QTS) together on an undergraduate course.
All postgraduate teacher training courses will include time spent training in at least two schools and lead to QTS, so you will get the necessary support and training you need to succeed in the classroom.
School-led Training
If you would like your training to be based in a school, and want to learn from experienced teachers from day one, then school-led training is for you. School-led courses generally last a year and result in the award of QTS. Most courses include a postgraduate certificate in education – or PGCE, which is likely to carry with it Master’s-level credits. You should check the exact details of individual courses with providers.
SCITT
Networks of schools that have been approved to run school-centred courses are known as SCITTs. They provide practical, hands-on teacher training, delivered by experienced, practising teachers based in their own school or a school in their network. ‘SCITT’ is also a type of school-led course, similar to the School Direct (tuition fee) option.
SCITT courses generally last one year and lead to successful trainees gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Many SCITT programmes also lead to successful trainees gaining a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE).
Training as part of a SCITT gives you the opportunity to learn ‘on the job’ from the very beginning. You will benefit from working and learning every day in a school and getting an immediate insight into what teaching involves. But this does not mean you will be teaching classes before you have had a chance to find your feet. You will have an extended support network of experienced teachers and mentors on hand to help you throughout your course. The school you are with will not ask you teach classes unsupported until they think you are ready.
You can search for our SCITT (tuition fee) vacancies here.
School Direct (non-salaried)
Similar to SCITT programmes, School Direct (non-salaried) programmes allow you to train in a school while working towards your QTS. Although your training is based in a school, they are not your employers. While the majority of School Direct training programmes lead to a PGCE qualification, not all do.
School Direct (salaried)
School Direct (salaried) programmes offer an employment-based route for high quality candidates. You will earn a salary while you train towards your QTS and will not need to pay any tuition fees. The majority of School Direct (salaried) training programmes lead to a PGCE.
You can search for our School Direct (salaried) vacancies here.
University-led Training
Training with a university gives you the chance to learn the pedagogy of teaching and apply it through your practical placements. You can complete a 3- or 4-year undergraduate programme or you can complete a one-year post graduate programme. Both routes will lead to trainees gaining QTS and a PGCE.
Specialist Training Routes
There are also a number of specialist training routes available depending on your subject, qualifications and previous experience:
- Teach First
- Researchers in Schools
- Assessment Only
- Future Teaching Scholars
- Now Teach
Further information on these routes can be found on the ‘Get Into Teaching’ site.