Get into teaching

We commonly get asked, “Can I become a teacher without a degree?”. The simple answer is no – but if you're an undergraduate or have a degree in a different subject, there are options to help you.

So, you’ve decided to become a teacher. But what are the next steps? Tes Institute can help you gain the qualification you need to get started. Find out more about our different routes.

There are now many ways to become a teacher in the UK, from university study to on-the-job training. Here’s everything you need to get started.

If you have at least two years' teaching experience our Assessment Only route could enable you to be independently assessed against the English Teachers’ Standards and gain qualified teacher status (QTS) within three months, without leaving your current school.

Our International Postgraduate Certificate in Education (iPGCE) is a Master's level, fully online learning programme that will help you to develop your teaching practice and pedagogy and take the next step in your international teaching career.

Our nationally recognised Level 6 Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship allows you to gain qualified teacher status (QTS) through on and off the job training while you work as part of a school team, and can be funded through the government's apprenticeship service.

Tes Institute is a designated SCITT, accredited by the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver initial teacher training (ITT). We work in partnership with a number of schools in Essex, Greater London and Kent to deliver our ITT course.

Our Straight to Teaching programme will prepare you for qualified teacher status (QTS) assessment via our Assessment Only route while you continue to work at your school. It’s a high quality, low-cost route that’s personalised to you and your school.

Our 100% online Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) courses will prepare you for your initial teacher training by helping you to gain the depth of subject knowledge and skills you need to be able to teach your chosen subject.