How to become a teacher: Undergraduate routes

CONTENTS

1. How to become a teacher in the UK

2. What qualifications do you need to become a teacher?

3. Do you need QTS to teach in a school?

4. BEd/MA Education teaching degrees

5. BA/BSc with initial teacher training

6. England: other undergraduate teacher training routes

7. Funding for undergraduate teacher training

8. How to apply for an undergraduate teacher training degree?

9. Qualifying as a teacher

10. University undergraduate ITT qualifiers table

​How to become a teacher in the UK

If you want to become a teacher and haven’t already studied a first degree, you can study for an undergraduate degree that leads directly to teacher status. This applies whether you’re straight out of school or whether you want to become a teacher in later life.

The other route is to complete your undergraduate degree first and then take a postgraduate course to qualify as a teacher. This way you can fully explore your subject and career options before settling on teaching.

Undergraduate teaching degrees include:

• Bachelor of Education (BEd)
• BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons) that include a teaching qualification
• Degrees with opt-in QTS and top-up degrees, if you’re in England

The last option allows you to switch to a teaching pathway later in your degree, which could be ideal if you’re still deciding on your future career. We explore these three types of degree in detail below.

It’s worth knowing that a degree with ‘education’ in its title doesn’t always lead to a teaching qualification. Teacher training is referred to as initial teacher training or education (ITT or ITE) so look for this in qualification descriptions.

Whether part of an undergraduate degree or as a postgraduate qualification, all teacher training courses give you experience in at least two different schools, and you’ll learn education theory and practical skills to help you teach in the classroom.

BEd/MA Education teaching degrees

A Bachelor of Education (BEd) is a generalist education course that leads to an undergraduate honours degree. In Scotland similar degrees lead to a Master of Education degree (MA Education) although academically it’s at the same level of study. BA (Hons) Education courses are also available in the UK, but don’t always include a teaching qualification.

Full-time degrees generally last three years, or four in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Part-time degrees take four to six years.

These courses take a broad approach to education and are popular with those who want to be primary school teachers. Some providers run secondary level-specific BEd courses – or ‘post primary’ in Northern Ireland. Subject study also features, whether you aim to teach in primary or secondary education.

Generally, you’ll learn about your subject and teaching practice in more depth while gaining experience in schools. You’ll study subjects associated with your strand of teaching and some professional studies. You’ll also take part in extended placements while conducting action-based research.

BA/BSc with initial teacher training

Subject-specific Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees can also lead to a teaching qualification. In England and Wales, you must take a BA or BSc degree that leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Similar courses exist in Scotland.

Full-time degrees generally last three to four years, with part-time study lasting four to six.

With a focus on their subject, these degrees are common for students looking to become secondary school teachers, but some courses are designed for primary school teaching.

You’ll gain specialist subject knowledge and strategies for teaching this across a variety of age ranges. You’ll also cover the same basics as other teacher training – such as learning about the curriculum, making the best use of assessment, and structuring and delivering lessons.

England: other undergraduate teacher training routes

In England, some universities may also offer a degree with opt-in QTS. Commonly they're offered in shortage subjects such as Maths, Physics, Computing or Modern Languages, and are eligible for the bursary funding currently offered by the government.

This means you could start your degree focused on your subject, and then decide further into your degree that you want to train as a secondary school teacher. Your uni might offer taster sessions early in your degree to help you decide whether teaching is the career for you. For students on these degrees, an opt-in QTS means they qualify as a teacher a year sooner than if they then complete a PGCE.

‘Top up’ degrees that include teacher training are an option if you’ve already got a foundation degree or HND in a relevant area, whether in education or a STEM subject such as Maths or Physics.

Funding for undergraduate teacher training

If you’re taking your first degree, you’ll be eligible for undergraduate student finance. Usually this means a student loan, but there may also be bursaries or grants, depending on the nation in which you live.

England also offers bursaries to encourage the take-up of secondary education shortage subjects. Students enrolling onto a BA or BSc Maths or Physics course with QTS may qualify for a bursary, paid in their third year. Trainees taking an opt-in QTS in secondary Maths, Physics, Computing or language course are also eligible. Some opt-in courses lead to an integrated master's. If that's the case, you could benefit from this funding in both your third and your final year of study. Bursaries may change from year to year.

If you're a recent veteran of the UK's Armed Forces, you could be eligible for a bursary for teacher training in secondary Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Maths, Physics, or languages leading to QTS.

Talented Maths or Physics A Level students in England could consider the six-year Future Teaching Scholars programme. It offers a grant for each year of a Maths- or Physics-related undergraduate degree, plus paid postgraduate employment-based training for a year, then two years paid as a teacher. You’ll also get extra support and teaching experience. You must take an eligible undergraduate degree; contact Future Teaching Scholars for details.

How to apply for an undergraduate teacher training degree

It’s helpful if you can get some experience in schools, but lack of school experience shouldn’t be a barrier to your application if you’re a suitable candidate.

• You apply via UCAS Undergraduate, with one or two exceptions. Check our guide on writing a teacher training personal statement
• You’ll have to attend an interview that may include subject knowledge audits (these may be more common for entry to postgraduate teacher training)
• You’re subject to Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) checks as part of the admissions process (PVG scheme in Scotland)

University undergraduate ITT qualifiers table

Figures below show the number of undergraduates gaining teacher training qualifications in the UK’s universities in 2021/22 (HESA Jan 2023; rounding will affect totals).