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

You may be eligible for the unsalaried Postgraduate ITT routes specialising in Early Years or in SEND Enhancement

Postgraduate ITT Route specialising in Early Years

To be eligible: 

Duration: Full-time OR part-time, September to July

Course outline: 4 days a week in school, with one day training per week, specialising in age 3-7. 

Course Fees: For 2027-28, course fees are £XXXX
Unsalaried

Course outcome: QTS and/or PGCE
 

Postgraduate ITT Route specialising in SEND

To be eligible: 

Duration: Full-time OR part-time, September to July

Course outline: For the main 2-term placement, you will be placed in a special school for 4 days a week, with one day of training per week specialising in SEND.

Course Fees: For 2027-28, course fees are £XXXX
Unsalaried

Course outcome: QTS and/or 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 the unsalaried Postgraduate ITT routes specialising in Early Years or in SEND Enhancement

Postgraduate ITT Route specialising in Early Years

To be eligible: 

Duration: Full-time OR part-time, September to July

Course outline: 4 days a week in school, with one day training per week, specialising in age 3-7. 

Course Fees: For 2027-28, course fees are £XXXX
Unsalaried

Course outcome: QTS and/or PGCE
 

Postgraduate ITT Route specialising in SEND

To be eligible: 

Duration: Full-time OR part-time, September to July

Course outline: For the main 2-term placement, you will be placed in a special school for 4 days a week, with one day of training per week specialising in SEND.

Course Fees: For 2027-28, course fees are £XXXX
Unsalaried

Course outcome: QTS and/or 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