Routes into teaching, compared
In short
There are several ways to train as a teacher in England. The right route depends on whether you already have a degree, whether you want to earn while you train, and the age range you want to teach.| Route | Who it’s for | Leads to |
|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate, fee-funded | Graduates; ~9 months; you pay fees (student finance available), often with a PGCE | QTS |
| Postgraduate, salaried | Graduates who want to earn while training, as a paid school employee | QTS |
| Undergraduate | Those without a degree; a 3–4 year degree with QTS built in | Degree + QTS |
| Teacher Degree Apprenticeship | Earn-while-you-learn undergraduate route; first cohort 2025/26, rolling out by subject | Degree + QTS |
| Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship | Graduates; ~1 year salaried, employment-based | QTS |
| Assessment Only | Experienced unqualified teachers who already meet the standards | QTS |
| iQTS | People training outside England (UK or non-UK citizens) | English QTS |
| Early Years ITT | Those who want to teach 0–5s | EYTS (not QTS) |
Note: the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship is still rolling out subject by subject, so availability changes. Early Years ITT leads to Early Years Teacher Status, which does not qualify you to teach in maintained primary or secondary schools.