Becoming a teacher

Teaching is an important and increasingly popular choice of career for all kinds of people. Whatever your circumstances - if you're still at school, about to graduate, or looking for a change of direction - there are more ways to enter the profession and more support available to help you get there than ever before.

The Department for Education’s, Teaching Agency has a huge amount of information about how and where to train. They are responsible for setting the standards for qualified teachers and for accrediting teacher training providers

Entry requirements

The basic entry requirements for all initial teacher training (ITT) courses are GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in English and maths.

If you would like to train as a primary school teacher you must also hold GCSE grade C or above in Science.

QTS skills tests

You must pass skills tests in numeracy, and literacy.

The undergraduate route

The undergraduate route combines your chosen BEd, BA or BSc degree with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). To gain entry to an undergraduate course you will be required to have at least two A-levels or equivalent, with at least one being in a National Curriculum subject.

Most courses equip you for primary teaching, but there are also some undergraduate secondary programmes. Full-time courses last three or four years. For more information contact your local university or visit www.ucas.com.

The postgraduate route

Postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) courses are available at universities and colleges throughout the UK. It may also be possible to study for a PGCE via flexible distance learning, or in a school by completing a programme of school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT), or by completing the School Direct Training Programme.

In order to help tailor training to your skills and experience, there are two separate School Direct training options:

• School Direct Training Programme is available to high-quality graduates. You may be eligible for a bursary of up to £20,000 to support you while you train.
• School Direct Training Programme (salaried) is an employment-based route available to high-quality graduates with at least three years’ work experience who will earn a salary whilst they train.

There are online ITT courses, in which you study from your own home. The Open University and Hibernia College UK, for example, offer such courses, which are suitable for individuals who have employment and/or family commitments.

Bursaries are available for trainees on eligible postgraduate courses in England who are not employed as a teacher. Bursary amounts will vary depending on teaching subject and degree class or highest relevant academic qualification. For more information read the Department for Education website.

If you are thinking of applying for a teacher training course which starts after 1 July 2013, you will need to take the numeracy and literacy skills tests as part of the application process, and ensure you have passed them both before the start of the course.