Leading the way: No.1 in the UK for Teaching, Student Voice, Assessment & Learning Opportunities (National Student Survey 2025)

Routes into Teaching

We have over 160 years' experience in education and offer a variety of routes into teaching, allowing you to train in a way that best suits you.

Teaching is a hugely rewarding and exciting career. To become a qualified teacher, you'll need a Bachelor's degree and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). You can gain this through a degree that includes recommendation for QTS or by studying for an undergraduate degree followed by doing a PGCE.

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is a legal requirement for teaching in many schools in England.

Depending on your current level of education, your experience and your personal circumstances, we can offer a number of different options for you to get into teaching.

Once you've decided the best route for you, have a look at the teacher training courses we offer.

Take our Quiz!

Thinking about a career in teaching but not sure which path is right for you? We’ve got you covered!

Take our brand new Routes into Teaching Quiz to discover the best path based on your qualifications and experience.

Give it a go!

Find your route

If you don't already have a degree...

Our BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS course is a three year undergraduate route that leads to Qualified Teacher Status.

If you're currently working in a school...

If you have a degree, you may consider our two year Primary PGCE part-time blended route.

If you don't yet have a degree, choose one of our Education in Practice Foundation Degrees followed by our Primary Teaching Studies Top Up Degree with QTS.

If you are an unqualified teacher or similar, looking to get qualified, then you may consider our work based Primary Teacher or Secondary Teacher Apprenticeships (QTS).

If you already have an undergraduate degree…

A one year full-time PGCE (Postgraduate and Professional Graduate Certificate in Education) is a course which includes recommendation for QTS.

If you have an undergraduate degree and are employed in a school (or similar setting), as an unqualified teacher, higher level Teaching Assistant or similar, then our Primary Teacher or Secondary Teacher Apprenticeship (QTS) could be the perfect work-based route to getting qualified.

If you are already a teacher but need QTS...

If you have substantial classroom practice, you can apply for an Assessment Only route to QTS.

If you are an unqualified teacher, higher level Teaching Assistant or similar, with an undergraduate degree then you may consider our Primary Teacher or Secondary Teacher Apprenticeship (QTS).

If you'd like to teach and travel...

Our three year BA (Hons) English Language and Teaching degree* could be the perfect option for you if you want to teach and travel, or develop your skills to support children with EAL (English as an Additional Language) in the Early Years, or in primary or secondary classroom settings.

You'll also have the option to gain an internationally recognised initial English Language teaching qualification, the Trinity Cert.

TESOL (a discounted fee is available for students on English Language and Teaching/TESOL programmes).

If you’d like to teach post-16 or further education learners...

If a career teaching in the education, training and skills sector (such as within further education colleges, private sector training providers and offender education) suits you best, we offer the Level 5 Certificate in Education (Teaching Post-16 and Further Education) for non-graduate subject or vocational specialists, and the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Teaching Post-16 and Further Education) for graduates. Both lead to a robust teaching qualification, which is recognised by the sector.**

* This course does not include QTS
** This course does not include QTS, but on completion, you may apply for the professional status of Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS)

The Classroom to Career Skills Bootcamp for Aspiring Educators

Whether you’re returning to work after a break, a new parent seeking flexible, family-friendly roles, or you’re exploring a fresh start in a meaningful profession, our free, in-person Skills Bootcamp is designed just for you.

Starting in January 2026, delivered from the Ermine Library and Community Hub in Lincoln, we are hosting a free, in-person programme, designed as your gateway to a fulfilling role in education.

Within 10 engaging sessions ran across 10 weeks (term time only) you’ll:

Discover your strengths and career goals
Learn about child development, safeguarding, and inclusive education
Gain practical tools for behaviour management and digital learning
Build confidence with CV writing, interview prep, and networking

No prior experience is needed, just a passion for helping children thrive!

Click here to email our apprenticeships team and register your interest!

You get a really good balance between placement and time on campus, and it helps to have time with your peers, because you can share experiences and ideas. The tutors are excellent and there's so much support available the whole way through the course.

Daniel
PGCE History