Graduate teacher training routes in England and Wales
Undergraduate degree
Who it's for: School leavers or mature candidates without the right degree.
Information: Leads to a BA, BEd or BSc with qualified teacher status (QTS). They are typically more popular with primary teachers as they allow more time to get to grips with the curriculum.
Applications:
Where: UCAS
When: The deadline for applications is 15 January but applications may be considered after this deadline through the clearing process.
Duration:
Full time: Three to four years.
Part time: Four to six years.
There is a two-year course for those with CSEs or diplomas.
Amount of teaching practice:
Four-year courses: 32 weeks
Three-year courses: 24 weeks.
Postgraduate certificate of education (PGCE)
Who it's for: Graduates.
Information: This is the most popular route into teaching and can be taken through a higher education institution or through a SCITT (see below). A traditional PGCE is split between university and school whereas a PGCE with a SCITT is classroom-based. Courses usually start in September and finish the following summer. More flexible routes are available, including for individuals with experience of teaching overseas or in independent schools. An Overseas Trained Teacher Programme is also available. Contact the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991 for details.
Applications:
Where: The Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) – although a few courses also recruit directly.
When: Applications should be made online in early September. For primary and middle years the initial closing date is 1 December. Secondary applications are reviewed by 30 June.
Duration:
Full time: One or two years.
Part time: Two years.
Amount of teaching practice:
Primary: 18 weeks
Secondary: 24 weeks (usually in two schools).
School-centred initial teacher training (SCITT)
Who it's for: Graduates – particularly those with some prior teaching experience.
Information: Training is provided by a consortium of schools and education providers who share the training responsibilities. All trainees will be awarded QTS though not all SCITT providers offer a full PGCE.
Applications:
Where: The Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) – although some SCITTs recruit directly.
When: Application deadlines vary; check individual course providers.
Duration: one year.
Amount of teaching practice: School-based for 90 % of the time.
Graduate teacher programme (GTP)
Who it's for: For people who want to change to a teaching career and need to continue earning while they train. Ideally applicants should have some prior teaching experience, either working in schools or with young people.
Information: Applicants are employed by a school as an unqualified teacher and undertake on-the-job training to attain QTS. They must:
- have a UK degree
- find a school that will employ them as an unqualified teacher, with a view to completing a Graduate Teacher Programme.
Applications:
Where: Via an employment-based initial teacher training provider (EBITT).
When: Year-round applications.
Duration:
Full time: 12 months (minimum 3 months).
Amount of teaching practice: School-based training.
Registered teacher programme (RTP)
Information: The programme is similar to the GTP except that while applicants do not need to hold a full degree, they must have successfully completed two years of higher education (for example an HND or A2 level) and go on to complete a degree while they train. Places on the RTP scheme are very limited. Note that in Wales RTP programmes are no longer available.
Applications:
Where: Via an employment-based initial teacher training provider (EBITT).
When: Year-round applications.
Duration:
Full time: 24 months (minimum 12 months).
Amount of teaching practice: School-based.
Thanks to the Training and Development Agency for Schools for their help with this article.
