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Tes Institute
Become a teacher

What is the best way to become a qualified teacher?

Are you looking for the best way into teaching? Learn all about the various routes into teaching, as well as the qualification requirements to teach in England.
03 Sep 25

How to become a teacher in England

There are multiple ways to become a teacher in England but bear in mind that there are minimum requirements to teach in some English schools. For example, state-funded schools require teachers have qualified teacher status (QTS). 

Qualifications 

To be a teacher in England, you must hold the minimum qualifications: 

  • A bachelor’s degree 

  • A teaching qualification. Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is mandatory to teach in English state-funded schools 

  • GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths, typically at grade 4 (C) or above 

  • For primary teaching, you’ll also need a GCSE in Science 

  • For secondary school teaching, you'll need to demonstrate strong subject knowledge, often through a relevant degree or A-levels. A Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course can also be taken to boost knowledge in specific subjects 

Different training providers and schools may require specific criteria beyond those listed above; however, this list demonstrates the minimum requirements to teach in state-funded primary and secondary schools in England.

Routes into teaching 

Now you know the minimum qualifications required to be a teacher, here are some of the most common routes into teaching: 

  • Initial Teacher Training (ITT) - approx. 10 months – ITT is a school-centred training route leading to qualified teacher status (QTS)  

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) - 12 months – some teacher training courses offer a postgraduate qualification such as PGCE. PGCE can give you a better understanding of teaching practices, educational research and theory; however, bear in mind that not all PGCE courses award QTS. 

  • Straight to Teaching (Tes Institute) – 1.5-5 terms - Straight to Teaching is a flexible in-school and online QTS preparation course. It allows you to continue working as a TA, higher level teaching assistant or unqualified teacher as you prepare for QTS assessment via an assessment only route. 

  • Assessment Only – approx. 3 months - if you can demonstrate that you're ready for QTS assessment, you could gain QTS without any additional training via Assessment Only, while you continue to work at your current school. 

  • Apprenticeships –  

  • 4 years - Teacher Degree Apprenticeships are a new way to become a teacher where you work in a school and earn a salary while getting a bachelor’s degree and QTS.  

Which is the best route into teaching? 

The best route into teaching, ultimately, depends on your current qualifications and experience. As such, we have broken the options down into those with a bachelor’s degree and those with prior classroom experience but no formal teaching qualifications. 

With a degree 

For those with a bachelor’s degree, Initial Teacher Training courses may be the best route into teaching. Training typically takes around 10 months, resulting in QTS. The majority of the training is spent in the classroom on placement, but there is also theoretical content which is usually delivered by a university.  

ITT includes a combination of: 

  • Observed and unobserved teacher training 

  • Taught sessions 

  • Seminars and workshops 

  • Tasks and assignments 

  • Engagement with academic or professional research  

Learn more about ITT

With experience 

With existing classroom experience, you could gain QTS via Assessment Only in around 12 weeks without any additional training. However, you must already meet the standards for QTS to be eligible for this course. 

With Assessment Only, you undertake a series of assessments which may include (depending upon the provider): 

  • Lesson observations 

  • Providing a portfolio of evidence 

  • Written assessment 

Learn more about Assessment Only

Straight to Teaching by Tes Institute (1.5-5 terms) might be a good alternative for those already in education roles (e.g. TA, higher level teaching assistant or unqualified teacher) but aren’t quite ready for assessment.  

The course prepares you for QTS and also helps you work towards having two years of teaching in two schools via a mix of in-school experience and online learning and theory. This enables you to develop your teaching and build evidence to demonstrate that you meet the English Teachers’ Standards. 

Learn more about Straight to Teaching

Gain QTS with Tes Institute 

Whether you’re a graduate interested in ITT or an experienced member of school staff looking to progress, we have a variety of routes into teaching that result in QTS. Browse our range of teacher training courses online today or use our handy course finder quiz to see which course is right for you.  

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