Can I teach without a PGCE?

The simple answer is yes. You do not need a PGCE in order to be able to teach, but you do need Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) to teach in many primary and secondary schools.

What are the different types of schools in the UK?

Education in the UK can broadly be divided into state and independent schools. State schools are funded through the government or local authority and are defined by who employs the staff, controls admission and owns the land and buildings: they include many different types of schools, such as academies, free schools, grammar schools and faith schools, to name a few. Independent schools are funded through fees.

Will I be stressed as a teacher?

Like any profession, teaching can have its stressful moments, and it will suit some personalities more than others. It’s important to remember the support you will receive as a newly qualified teacher from colleagues and mentors. The key is to learn about what to expect before you apply for teacher training: check out the webinars and articles on targetjobs where current and former teachers talk candidly about the profession.

Teaching

Kick off your graduate career in teaching right here. Discover your training and work experience options, learn how to create winning applications, and more.

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Your future in teaching 

Teaching will require hard work, stamina and a high level of commitment, but graduates in the teaching profession talk enthusiastically about the joys of developing the potential of future generations and inspiring their pupils. Get the key information you need to help you decide if you’d like to pursue a teaching career, including what QTS is, the subjects taught at primary and secondary level, application tips and the surprisingly many options available to you both in terms of training and job roles. This advice has been written in partnership with AGCAS, The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services. When you're ready, be sure to browse our teaching graduate jobs.

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What are the best paying jobs for graduates?

Graduate schemes and internships in the charity/not-for-profit sector

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Routes into teaching

Check these guides to learn about the qualifications you'll need to become a teacher, discover how to get work experience, and find out more about funding and pay.

What qualifications do you need to become a teacher?

Advice

Find out about the qualifications you need to apply for teacher training and become familiar with the requirements around GCSEs, numeracy and literacy tests and your degree.

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How to get the work experience you need to teach in a primary or secondary school

Advice

Find out about the expectations of teacher training providers when it comes to getting primary and secondary school experience.

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What else can I do with an education or teaching degree?

Degree subjects

If you’ve realised that a career working with children in schools isn’t for you, you could consider museum education, training or tutoring, or use your communication skills in another area.

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Training to teach in further and higher education

Skills and competencies

Find out about the range of qualifications available to train to teach in further education and how to become a higher education lecturer.

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Funding for teacher training

Training and progression

Find out about teacher training bursaries, scholarships and student finance available in England.

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Salary prospects for teachers

Careers advice and planning

Teaching salaries vary depending on your experience and where you are based in the UK. Find out what pay and additional benefits you can expect as an early career teacher.

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Overview of your postgraduate teacher training options

Training and progression

Are you considering a PGCE, PGDE, SCITT, School Direct or Teach First programme? Do you want to teach children in the early years? Find out about the different types of teacher training programmes that lead to qualified teacher status and how to apply.

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TEFL/TESL teacher: job description

Job descriptions and industry overviews

Discover what a TEFL teacher actually does day to day, what TEFL stands for and how to become qualified.

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How to choose a TEFL course and find work after qualifying

Careers advice and planning

Working as a TEFL teacher is a popular way for graduates to fund travel plans and for some it becomes a long-term career.

How to apply for teacher training

Learn how to write stellar applications and ace your interviews.

Write a great application for teacher training

Training and progression

Everything you need to know about submitting your application for teacher training.

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How to write your personal statement for teacher training

Applications

The information in this article is based on the Apply for Teacher Training service personal statement, with hints and tips that will be useful when completing the form.

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What to expect from the teacher training interview and selection day

Interviews and assessment centres

Your teacher training selection day could include written tests, a presentation and teaching a mini lesson in school, as well as a panel interview.

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Interview questions for teacher training

Interviews and assessment centres

An overview of the questions you could be asked at your teacher training interview, such as questions about your degree and experience, why you want to teach and safeguarding.

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Teaching in Scotland, Wales and NI

Each nation has a slightly different process for teacher training and getting a teaching job – learn the basics here.

Teaching in Scotland

Training and progression

Find out how to become a teacher in Scotland through the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), which is the main graduate entry route into teaching in Scotland. Check out the PGDE entry requirements and how to apply.

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Teaching in Wales

Training and progression

Want to become a teacher in Wales? Find out about primary, secondary and further education teacher training, the qualifications you'll need, funding available and any Welsh language learning you'll undertake.

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Teaching in Northern Ireland

Training and progression

Discover what it takes to become a teacher in Northern Ireland. Find out what qualifications you need, where to find teacher training courses and how to get a teaching job once you are qualified.

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Discover your future career with GradSims

Get a taste of what it's like to work with leading graduate employers. In these free mini-courses you'll get career insights from graduates, do real-life tasks, and get priority access to roles.

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Active employers looking for graduate talent all year round.

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Which teacher inspired you at school? Get Into Teaching is a free service that aims to support those considering teaching as a career, setting you up to embark on a fulfilling and rewarding career.

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Other employers who are active on targetjobs, regularly posting new opportunities and events during peak seasons.

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Advice for school leavers

Discover the world of options open to you on finishing school or college and get tips on how to make the right decision for you.

CVs, applications and tests

Find the tools and tips you need to help you apply for graduate jobs or internships. We cover every aspect of the application process, from writing a CV to answering online application questions and sitting psychometric tests.

Career ideas

Find advice for figuring out your dream career, including what options are available to you after graduating and how to choose the right graduate role.

Finding a job

Finding a job isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Here we help you to jump potential hurdles, giving essential advice for home and international students: from applying in tough economic times to getting a top graduate job with a 2.2.

Internships

Completing an internship allows you to sharpen your skills, improve your CV, prepare for the world of work and potentially land yourself a graduate job. Discover what internships actually involve, how to apply for them and how to make the most of them. 

Interviews and assessment centres

You impressed on paper; now it’s time to show the employer in person that you’re the right hire. Learn how to do this with our expert advice for answering interview questions, developing interview techniques and acing assessment centre exercises.

Job descriptions

Discover the qualifications, skills and experience you’ll need for more than 300 job roles and find one you’ll love.

Job offers and working life

Job offers, rejection emails and stepping into the working world with your first graduate job can pull you in a million directions. Fortunately, we’ve curated advice on how to accept job offers, bounce back from rejection and make an impact in your first job.

Skills for getting a job

Discover the skills that major graduate employers seek and how you can demonstrate them on your application form, and at interviews and assessment centres.

University life

Wanting to leave uni with a degree is a given. But what do you want from the other bits of student life? Discover how to combine study, rest, work and play with our insights from students and graduates.

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