Routes into Teaching

You may be eligible for this route if you have a degree and you are or have been a Teaching Assistant.

The postgraduate teaching apprenticeship (salaried) route means you can continue to earn whilst you learn and qualify for QTS with no course fees.

To be eligible: Applicants must first seek the approval of the employing Headteacher.

Duration: September- July, full- time
Course outline: 4 days a week in school, teaching up to 50% from the outset with a maximum of 80% teaching load. 1 day a week training, with minimum 24 days in alternative Key Stage/ placement.

Course fee: Paid via the Active Learning Trust's apprenticeship levy. 
Minium salary: UNQ 1

Course outcome: QTS and PGCE

You may be eligible for the Postgraduate Teacher Training route (unsalaried).
This means you will be placed in a school for 4 days a week, with 1 day a week of training. This is a 1-year unpaid route with a course fee.

To be eligible: Applicants must have grade 4/ C in maths/ English and Science GCSE and a degree

Duration: Full-time OR part-time, September to July
Course outline: 4 days a week in school, teaching up to 20% from the outset, with a maximum of 80% teaching load. 1 day a week training and minimum 24 days in alternative Key Stage/placement.

Course Fees: For 2027-28, course fees are £9,916 (some may be eligible for a student loan)
Unsalaried

Course outcome: QTS and PGCE

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Obtain approval from the Headteacher that currently employs you.
• Obtained grade 4/C in Maths, English and Science GCSE 
• Have a degree
• Have taught in at least two schools in the age range you wish to train in
• Have had some responsibility for whole-class teaching
• Be deemed by employer as not requiring any training to meet QTS (Teacher Standards)
• Subject to interview and assessment

Duration: 12 weeks (rolling start), Full-time
Course outline: 5 days a week in school, no training. Mid point assessment at week 6, and end point assessment at week 12. Mentor required. Portfolio submission required.

Course Fees: For 2027-28, course fees are £3,250
Salary: UNQ scale

Course outcome: QTS

You may be eligible for the Postgraduate Teacher Training route (unsalaried).
This means you will be placed in a school for 4 days a week, with 1 day a week of training. This is a 1-year unpaid route with a course fee.

To be eligible: Applicants must have grade 4/ C in maths/ English and Science GCSE and a degree

Duration: Full-time OR part-time, September to July
Course outline: 4 days a week in school, teaching up to 20% from the outset, with a maximum of 80% teaching load. 1 day a week training and minimum 24 days in alternative Key Stage/placement.

Course Fees: For 2027-28, course fees are £9,916 (some may be eligible for a student loan)
Unsalaried

Course outcome: QTS and PGCE

You may be eligible for this route if you have a degree and you are or have been a Teaching Assistant.

The postgraduate teaching apprenticeship (salaried) route means you can continue to earn whilst you learn and qualify for QTS with no course fees.

To be eligible: Applicants must first seek the approval of the employing Headteacher.

Duration: September- July, full- time
Course outline: 4 days a week in school, teaching up to 50% from the outset with a maximum of 80% teaching load. 1 day a week training, with minimum 24 days in alternative Key Stage/ placement.

Course fee: Paid via the Active Learning Trust's apprenticeship levy. 
Minium salary: UNQ 1

Course outcome: QTS and PGCE

You may be eligible for the full-time undergraduate route. This means you can continue to work as a Teaching Assistant and earn whilst you learn for 3 years to gain a degree. This has a highly reduced course fee compared to standard HE courses. 

After graduation, you can then apply for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) in your 4th year.
 

To be eligible, applicants must: 

• Seek the approval of the employing Headteacher.
• Have A Levels or equivalent conferring to 32 UCAS points
• Have grade 4/C in Maths, English and Science GCSE (or equivalent)

For those that do not meet the above criteria, a Foundation Course is available prior to starting the course.

Duration: Full-time, June to July (with applications submitted in May)

Course outline: 

• 5 days a week in school as a Teaching Assistant
• Flexible online learning throughout
• 10-12 hours of study a week
• University tutor
• Progression to Initial Teacher Training (ITT) following completion available
• Free Chromebook

Course Fees: For 2027-28, course fees are £6,000/year (student finance available)
Salary: Teaching Assistant salary

Course outcome: Degree

Next Step: Postgraduate Teacher Training

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