Ultimate Guide to Teacher Training in UK

If you’re thinking about becoming a teacher, applying for teacher training is really important. It’s okay to feel unsure about where to start or what to think about. But don’t worry! This guide will help you understand the essentials of teacher training in the United Kingdom. By the end, you’ll feel more ready to take the next step in your career.

What Should You Expect in Teacher Training?

Interactive Seminars and Workshops. You will join in talks and workshops with friends and teachers. In these sessions, you share with them your experiences, help each other with challenges, and come up with ideas together.
Instructional Sessions. You will receive expert guidance on educational theories and teaching strategies. These sessions cover a range of topics, including lesson planning, classroom management, and assessment strategies.
Projects and Tasks. During your training, you’ll have different projects and tasks that reflect real teaching situations. These assignments let you use what you’ve learned in real life.
Teaching Sessions Under Observation and Without Observation. During training, you’ll have teaching sessions where someone watches how you teach and gives you advice. This feedback helps you get better at teaching. You’ll also have sessions where you teach without someone watching, so you can try new things and find your own way of teaching.
Involvement in Academic or Professional Research. You might also take part in academic or professional research, which can help you understand more about how teaching works in theory and practice.

How to Apply for Teacher Training?

Decide Where You Want to Teach. Determine the region or type of school where you want to teach, as this will influence your choice of a training programme.
Research Courses and Fees. Look into different teacher training courses and their associated fees. Consider factors like course duration, structure, and reputation.
Check Your Eligibility/Qualifications. Make sure you qualify for the course you want by checking if you have the right academic background and work experience.
Find out if you need a visa (optional). If you’re an international applicant, find out if you need a visa to study in UK.
See If You Qualify for Financial Support. Check if you’re eligible for financial support, such as scholarships, bursaries, or grants.

Check out the teacher training funding options from the UK government for more information.

Submit an Application. Prepare and submit your application. Make sure you include all required documents and information.

Entry Requirements for Teacher Training

Entry requirements vary across the UK. Here’s a breakdown by region:

England

Degree Requirements: You’ll need to have completed an undergraduate degree with at least a 2:2 classification. If you’re aiming to teach secondary or post-compulsory education, your degree should relate to the subject you wish to teach. Otherwise, you might need to complete a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course to strengthen your subject knowledge.
GCSE Requirements: It’s essential to have GCSEs with a grade C/4 or equivalent in English and maths. A GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent in a science subject is also required for those interested in primary or early years teaching.

Pro Tip:

If you don’t meet the GCSE requirements, you can take equivalency tests. Many providers offer these tests to help you meet the needed standards.

Background Check: Before starting your training, you’ll need to declare any previous convictions and undergo a criminal records check via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This ensures the safety and security of the students you’ll be teaching.

Wales

GCSE Requirements: To qualify for teacher training in Wales, you’ll need GCSEs with a grade B/5 or above in English and maths. For early years and primary teaching, a GCSE grade C/4 or above in a science subject is also required.
Degree Requirements: You should hold a UK undergraduate degree or its equivalent. If you’re pursuing secondary teaching, your degree should align with the subject you plan to teach.
Other Requirements: Unlike in England, there are no professional skills tests. However, similar to other regions, you must disclose any previous convictions and undergo a criminal records check via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure you meet the necessary safety standards.

Scotland

Qualification Requirements: In Scotland, you’ll need qualifications equivalent to SCQF Level 6 in English and Level 5 in maths, along with two additional National Qualifications at SCQF Level 6 for undergraduate degree programs. For those aiming for a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), a UK undergraduate degree is a requirement.
Other Requirements: You’ll also need to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme and gain relevant classroom experience. These steps ensure you’re ready to support and educate students effectively.

Northern Ireland

Qualification Requirements: In Northern Ireland, you’ll need to achieve two passes at GCSE Advanced level and grades C or above in three other subjects at GCSE level for BEd (Bachelor of Education) courses. Alternatively, for Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses, you must have an approved undergraduate degree.
Background Check: Before starting your training, you’ll need to undergo a police criminal records check to ensure the safety and well-being of students under your care.

Conclusion

Getting the right training to become a teacher is really important for finding a great teaching job. Once you’ve learned what you need and prepared well, you can start applying for jobs. Begin by searching for openings and sending your CV to schools you like.

To fully prepare you for your teaching career, we’ve already made a free teacher CV template for you to use once you’re ready. Feel free to check it out whenever you want!

“Best of luck with your application! May your journey to becoming a teacher be full of learning and meaningful experiences in shaping young minds.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is teacher training important?

Teacher training is really important because it helps you keep getting better at your job. When you go to training, you learn new ways to teach and connect with your students. This helps you feel more sure of yourself and keeps you excited about making learning fun in class. So, when you learn more, your students get the best education and support from you.

What is the best qualification for a teacher?

One of the usual teacher qualifications you need is a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). You can get this by studying at a university or through training at a school. Typically, you’ll need an undergraduate degree beforehand. You also need to have passed GCSEs in English and Maths with at least a grade C/4 or higher (grade B in Wales). Additionally, if you want to teach a specific subject in secondary school, it’s helpful to have a degree in that subject or special qualifications to show you know it well.

How long is teacher training?

In UK, teacher training programmes can be different lengths depending on your chosen route. If you go to university for a BEd or PGCE, it usually takes about one year if you study full-time. If you do postgraduate teacher training, it takes about 9 months full-time, or up to 2 years if you study part-time. There’s also School Direct, where you train in schools for about a year. Both ways help you become a Qualified Teacher, which you need to teach in schools in England and Wales.