Postgraduate teacher training for primary and secondary schools
Training to be a teacher
Newsflash.... School Direct applications now open
Personal statements
Your personal statement is the key to securing an interview for a PGCE. Use our guide to PGCE personal statements to help you write yours.
If you are studying a non-teaching degree and want to become a teacher at Primary or Secondary school you need to undertake a programme of initial teacher training to gain qualified teacher status (QTS).
(There is a different training course if you want to teach at Further Education (FE) college or in the lifelong learning sector)
Before you apply for a teacher training course you need to:
- meet the essential admission requirements
- know about the numeracy and literacy skills tests you'll need to take as soon as you apply
- have gained recent classroom experience
Different routes to undertake postgraduate teacher training
There are several routes to undertake postgraduate teacher training and it's important that you research the different options and decide which is right for you. This may depend on level of your classroom experience, preferences and future plans:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
- School Direct Training Programme (replaces the former "GTP" route for 2013)
- School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT)
- Teach First
More information
- Download "Routes into teaching 2012-13"
- Prospects "Teacher training: Getting started"
- The Teaching Agency runs occasional, one day, "Train to Teach" events where you will find out about routes into teaching, speak to teaching experts and receive one-to-one advice on your training options.
Don't forget...
You are strongly advised to speak to a Careers Adviser in the Career Development Centre at any stage of your application if you want help with finding classroom experience or advice with your application and personal statement.
