Train to Teach

If you are resident in England, to enrol on a teacher training course, the standard requirements are:

• An undergraduate degree (or equivalent).
• At least a GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent in English and maths. If you want to teach at a primary school, you will also need a GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent in a science subject.
• Declaration of any previous convictions and undergone the criminal records check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Please check the individual course pages above to see the specific entry requirements of each of our courses.

Our iPGCE teacher training routes are available to people living outside England who do not wish to move to England to train. Trainee teachers on all our courses will need to be in schools for the duration of the course.

If you are already employed as an unqualified teacher or teaching assistant in a school outside England to be considered for a place on the iPGCE course, you will need your school’s support, and to provide evidence of:

• An undergraduate degree equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in England,
• English language competency (6.5 IELTS score)
• An equivalent qualification of a GCSE Grade 4 or above in maths (for primary and secondary routes) and science (for primary routes).

If you are not currently employed in a school in any capacity, you will need to have these qualifications and find a school willing to support you on placement during the course.

Please check the individual course pages above to see the specific entry requirements of each of our courses.

All our ITT courses are usually studied over an academic year, but can also be completed in 2 years to suit your individual circumstances – for example, if you work part-time or simply wish to take more time to complete the course. For some people who are working in unqualified teacher roles, a shorter, assessment only route may be available. Whenever and wherever you choose to study, our aim is to help you become not just a teacher but a great teacher.

We offer multiple start dates throughout the year, so you can begin your studies at the right time for you.

For our PGCE and iPGCE courses, you can start in September, January and April.

For our Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship, you can begin the course in July, November or February. These flexible start dates allow for an introductory element of the course to be studied prior to the start of a new school term.

A Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is the academic qualification for a formal teacher training course in England. We also offer iPGCE (International Postgraduate Certificate in Education) routes; these are equivalent academic qualifications that you can access anywhere outside England without the need to travel to England.

Our PGCE and iPGCEs carry 60 Master’s level credits, and have a number of variants: a PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for teaching in schools in England, an iPGCE with International Qualified Teacher Status (iQTS) and an iPGCE for teaching in schools outside England and an Independent PGCE for teaching in independent schools in England.

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is the accreditation required to teach in state-maintained schools in England. The DfE’s new iQTS award now also enables trainees to gain teaching accreditation internationally. Many independent schools also now require their teachers to hold this award. Whilst QTS or iQTS are separate awards to the PGCE or iPGCE, they are interwoven throughout the PGCE with QTS and iPGCE with iQTS courses and therefore does not require more time to achieve. To gain QTS or iQTS, trainees are required to demonstrate that they meet all the requirements of the Teachers' Standards/international qualified teachers' Standards - GOV.UK(www.gov.uk) by the end of the course. Our PGCE with QTS and iPGCE with iQTS provides a holistic training experience by combining the academic theory of teaching with its practical application in schools.

We are often asked if holders of iQTS will also be awarded QTS by the DfE – the answer is yes; these awards are equivalent qualifications.

It depends! What do you want to achieve? Did we hear you say, “the very best”? Well, you’re in the right place.

Most commonly, those wanting to become a qualified teacher take on the PGCE with QTS course. This course provides full coverage of both the pedagogical and theoretical elements of teaching, with great support from mentors and staff. Set up in a modular format, you will cover topics that include behaviour management, curriculum delivery, practical teaching practice, and so much more.

Alternatively, you may already have at least two years of teaching experience and want to work towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). In this scenario our Assessment-Only Route to QTS is a great option. With this course, experienced candidates who meet the criteria, can obtain this qualification within 12 weeks!

We have another option for those who may already have their QTS or who want an internationally recognised qualification in teaching. At NITE, we offer two PGCE-only courses, one designed to prepare trainees for teaching in Independent Schools and the other designed to prepare trainees for teaching in International Schools.

We also offer a free taster course to help you decide which PGCE is right for you. It’s also worth pointing out here that all courses offered here at NITE are Apprenticeship approved, meaning you can exercise your school’s Apprenticeship Levy and have the cost of your course covered by the Government’s scheme. NITE’s courses are pretty flexible too, with multiple start dates part-time options, and study-where-you-live benefits, we seek ways to make getting qualified easy and accessible.

Additionally, if you want to train to be a teacher, and are based outside of England, then iPGCE with iQTS may be the best route for you. Upon successful completion of iQTS the DfE will automatically award Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which certifies you to teach in state-maintained schools in England.

If you are applying for the PGCE with QTS via the full-time or part-time student route, you can go to the gov.uk site to find out about the courses we offer. Select ‘By school, university or other training provider’ and type in the C85. This will bring up a list of the courses we offer and details how to apply for the one you want. Alternatively, if you already know the course you can go directly to Apply for teacher training.

If you are already employed in a school, then you can apply for an employed route via the Coventry University website. Please use the appropriate link below for your course selecting ‘Apply for this course’ and then ‘Register’ on the ‘Welcome to the Coventry University Application Portal’ page. Please note our teacher training courses are not on the ‘new applicant portal’.

Currently employed in a state school in England? PGCE with QTS School Recommendation (Employed) Route

Currently teaching abroad, but want to teach in England? Consider our iPGCE with iQTS

Teach in independent schools? Consider our PGCE for Independent Schools

Teach in international schools? Consider our PGCE for International Schools

For the Teaching Apprenticeship, please ask your school to put you forward for the course by emailing us.