To become a teacher in England, you need qualified teacher status (QTS), which you get through teacher training. The main routes are an undergraduate degree with QTS, postgraduate training such as a PGCE if you already have a degree, or a teacher degree apprenticeship. You'll also usually need GCSEs in English and maths and an enhanced background check.
You need QTS to teach in maintained schools in England. You don't need a PGCE, and you don't always need a degree in the subject you want to teach.
Facts here come from the Department for Education's Get Into Teaching service and the National Careers Service, both read on 26 October 2026. QTS is the English qualification, so this guide covers teaching in England.
The routes to QTS compared
| Route | Who it's for | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree with QTS (BEd, BA or BSc with QTS) | School leavers, usually with 2 to 3 A levels | A degree and QTS together |
| Postgraduate training (PGCE or school-based) | People with a bachelor's degree, or studying for one | QTS, and often a PGCE as well |
| Postgraduate teacher apprenticeship | Graduates who want to earn while they train | QTS in around 1 year |
| Teacher degree apprenticeship | People without a degree who want a salary while they study | A degree and QTS, in up to 4 years |
| Assessment only | People who've worked as unqualified teachers | QTS through assessment of your existing practice |
Training to teach, step by step
- Check your GCSEs. The National Careers Service says you'll usually need grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths, and primary routes also look for science.
- Decide whether you need a degree first. You need a bachelor's degree to get QTS, so if you don't have one, choose an undergraduate route with QTS or a teacher degree apprenticeship.
- If you're a graduate, choose postgraduate training. It can be university-led or based in a school, and many courses include a PGCE.
- Get some school experience. Get Into Teaching says time in a school helps you judge whether teaching suits you and gives you something to talk about in your application.
- Apply, pass the enhanced background checks, and complete your training placements.
- Get QTS, then start applying for teaching jobs.
You don't need a degree in your subject
This is the point many would-be teachers don't realise. The National Careers Service says you don't always need a degree in the subject you'd like to teach. Your teacher training provider decides whether your knowledge is strong enough, and if it isn't quite there, they'll ask you to take a subject knowledge enhancement course.
So a history graduate who wants to teach maths, or an engineer who wants to teach physics, isn't ruled out. Ask your chosen providers about subject knowledge enhancement before you assume the door is closed.
What teachers earn
Get Into Teaching says that with QTS you get a minimum starting salary of £34,000, as of October 2026. It also runs paid teaching internships at £455 per week, which let you try the classroom before you commit to training.
Those figures come straight from the Department for Education's own pages. Get Into Teaching also covers funding and support for trainees, so check what applies to your subject and route before you choose a course.
QTS vs PGCE: the difference
People mix these up all the time. QTS is the professional status you need to teach in maintained schools in England. A PGCE is an academic qualification. Many postgraduate courses give you both, and Get Into Teaching says a PGCE can help you develop your teaching skills and knowledge. But the National Careers Service is clear that you don't need a PGCE to teach. If you're comparing courses, check which one leads to QTS, because that's the part every state school will ask for.
If you're changing career
Plenty of teachers come from other jobs. You could start as a teaching assistant or learning mentor and train part time, or go straight into postgraduate training if you have a degree. Get Into Teaching also runs events, in person and online, where you can ask about routes and funding before you apply.
Once you're teaching, there's a lot of tooling that can save time. These prompts to cut marking time are a good start, and teachers looking for extra income often consider remote examiner and marking work.
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Getting school experience before you apply
Get Into Teaching recommends spending time in a school before you apply, because it helps you understand whether teaching is right for you and gives you experience to talk about in your application. The National Careers Service suggests volunteering at a school, doing youth work or working on a holiday scheme. Even a few days observing lessons can make your personal statement far stronger, and it's a quick way to find out whether primary or secondary suits you better.
Skills schools look for
- Patience and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
- Clear communication with pupils, parents and colleagues.
- Flexibility and openness to change.
- Organisation and admin skills, plus confident use of a computer.
My verdict
In England, QTS is the qualification that counts, and there are more ways to get it than most people think. If you have a degree, postgraduate training is the quickest standard route. If you don't, a teacher degree apprenticeship lets you earn while you qualify. And don't rule yourself out because your degree is in a different subject: ask about subject knowledge enhancement first.
Frequently asked questions
What qualifications do you need to be a teacher in the UK?
In England you need qualified teacher status (QTS), which requires a bachelor's degree and teacher training. You'll usually also need GCSEs at grade 9 to 4 in English and maths.
Do you need a PGCE to teach in England?
No. The National Careers Service says you need QTS to teach in most state schools, but you don't need a PGCE.
Can I become a teacher without a degree?
You need a bachelor's degree to get QTS, but a teacher degree apprenticeship lets you earn a salary while you get a degree and QTS.
How much do teachers earn in England?
Get Into Teaching says that with QTS you get a minimum starting salary of £34,000, as of October 2026.
Do I need a degree in the subject I want to teach?
Not always. Your training provider decides whether your subject knowledge is strong enough and may ask you to take a subject knowledge enhancement course.
How long does a postgraduate teaching apprenticeship take?
The National Careers Service says the postgraduate route takes around 1 year and leads to QTS.
