Qualified Teacher Status

Those who wish to teach in maintained schools and non-maintained special schools in England and Wales must hold qualified teacher status (QTS) and be registered with the General Teaching Council. QTS can be obtained by completing an undergraduate, postgraduate or employment-based course of initial teacher training (ITT) that leads to QTS.

Entry Requirements

To enter any ITT programme, a person must have at least a grade ‘C’ in GCSE English and mathematics, or have reached the equivalent standard. Those born on or after 1 September 1979 and wanting to teach primary or key stage 2/3 (ages 7-14), will also need a GCSE grade ‘C’, or equivalent qualification, in a science subject. ITT providers, however, set their own requirements when looking at educational qualifications, such as the subject/grade of A-levels, the subject/grade of degree, NVQs and work experience.

Progression to Initial Teacher Training programmes

Some foundation degrees and HLTA status also provide progression routes to ITT programmes. Entrants to postgraduate courses need to have a first degree, or equivalent[1]. Whichever route is taken, a UK degree or equivalent qualification is needed before being awarded QTS.

Further Information

Further information about routes into teaching is available on the TDA website (http://www.tda.gov.uk/) or by contacting the teaching information line on 0845 6000 991.

[1] Applicants with a foundation degree will need to supplement this qualification with at least 60 credits at HE honours level.