How to Get Into Teaching: Top Tips and Guidance

Ready To Start Your Teaching Career?

If you’re thinking about a career in teaching, you’re in the right place! If you’re passionate about education and want to inspire the next generation, teaching can be a highly rewarding career. But before you step into the classroom, you need to understand how to get into teaching in the UK.

We’ll explain which qualifications are required, how to obtain them, explore different pathways into teaching and highlight early careers teaching opportunities.

What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a Teacher?

To become a teacher in England, you generally need:

• A degree (usually at least a 2:2 classification)
• Grade 4 (C) or above in GCSE English and maths (and science if you want to teach primary)
• Successful completion of Initial Teacher Training (ITT)
• Achievement of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

There are different routes to gain these qualifications, depending on your current education and work background.

What is Qualified Teaching Status?

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is a legal requirement to teach in most state-maintained schools in England. It confirms that you’ve met the professional standards required for teaching and have completed an approved teacher training programme.

Once you’ve achieved QTS, you’re legally recognised as a qualified teacher. Most teacher training routes in England—such as PGCEs, School Direct, and apprenticeships—are designed to lead to QTS.

How Do You Achieve QTS?

You can gain QTS through several routes:

• University-led training: e.g. PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education)
• School-led training: e.g. School Direct or SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training)
• Apprenticeship route: we’ll explain this below!

Some private and international schools may not require QTS, but it is essential for most mainstream teaching jobs. We’d highly recommend working towards QTS to keep your options open.

What is an NQT?

NQT stands for ‘Newly Qualified Teacher’. This is someone who has recently achieved QTS and is in their first year of teaching. However, this term has largely been replaced by ‘Early Career Teacher’ (ECT) under the new framework introduced in 2021.

Routes Into Teaching – If You Have A Degree

If you already have a degree, there are several ways to get into teaching:

1. PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education)

• Duration: 1 year (full-time)
• Combines academic training with school placements
• Leads to QTS and a Level 7 qualification (often with master’s credits)

2. School Direct or SCITT

• Learn on the job in a school setting
• Often includes PGCE and always includes QTS
• Suitable if you prefer a hands-on approach to training

3. Teach First

• Competitive, paid programme for high-achieving graduates
• Combines teaching with leadership development
• Leads to QTS and PGDE (Postgraduate Diploma in Education)

Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Route

The Teacher Degree Apprenticeship is a newer route into teaching that allows you to:

• Earn while you learn
• Train as a teacher without accumulating tuition debt
• Work in a school while completing an undergraduate degree and QTS

This pathway is ideal for school support staff or career changers who want to transition into teaching while continuing to earn a salary. You’ll finish with a degree and QTS, making it a viable and cost-effective route for many.

Remember, you don’t need a degree to become a Teaching Assistant. In this role, you’ll get the chance to gain valuable experience in a school to decide if this career is right for you. Prior experience as a Teaching Assistant will also look great on your CV when you start applying for Classroom Teacher positions.

Getting into teaching takes commitment and preparation, but the journey is worth it. Whether you pursue a university-led PGCE, a school-based programme, or the teacher degree apprenticeship, the goal is the same: to earn your QTS and become a confident, effective educator.

If you’re still unsure which route suits you best, visit the Get Into Teaching website for personalised advice and support. Alternatively, explore Early Careers Teaching opportunities with Prospero.