PGCE vs QTS: what’s the difference?
In short
QTS is the status that qualifies you to teach in England’s state schools. A PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) is an academic qualification, usually earned alongside training, that often carries master’s-level credits. In short: QTS lets you teach; a PGCE does not on its own.People often use the two terms interchangeably, but they are different things:
| QTS | PGCE | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A professional status | An academic qualification |
| Lets you teach in state schools? | Yes | Not on its own |
| Master’s-level credits? | No | Usually some |
| Recognised abroad? | Varies | Widely recognised |
Most training courses lead to QTS plus a PGCE. Some lead to QTS only. A PGCE without QTS will not, by itself, qualify you to teach in most state primary or secondary schools.