Undergraduate routes to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Entry requirements for courses may vary, so applicants should check with individual course providers for details.

Classroom experience with primary age children or observation at a primary school is also desirable for primary courses: TDA visit a classroom.

Bachelor degree (BA/BSc) with QTS / Bachelor of Education (BEd)

Target candidate: No degree; New to teaching
Duration: 3-4 years
Salary: no

A Bachelor degree (BA/BSc) with QTS enables degree study alongside initial teacher training. The BEd route is particularly popular for the primary sector. All candidates applying for undergraduate primary ITT routes must have:

• A minimum of two A-levels or equivalent GCSE
• Grade C in Maths, English and a Science subject, or equivalent

Several institutions now offer undergraduate teacher training with a specialism in primary languages: Providers offering ITT with primary languages specialism

Apply via: UCAS

Detailed information from the TDA: Bachelor of Education / Bachelor of arts or science with QTS.

Registered Teacher Programme (RTP)

Target candidate: HE qualifications below UK degree level; Skills and qualities for immediate teaching responsibilities (e.g. possibly an overseas teaching qualification from outside the European Economic Area – see Overseas trained teachers)
Duration: up to 2 years
Salary: yes

The RTP is for non-graduates who have successfully completed the equivalent of two years of higher education (e.g. a Higher National Diploma or two years of an undergraduate degree). The training usually lasts two years and leads to a degree-equivalent qualification as well as QTS. The ITT provider would arrange suitable training to extend a trainee’s knowledge to degree level.

Some providers arrange school placements or sometimes candidates will already have a teaching job in a school willing to employ and train them for the duration of the course. Trainees on the RTP receive a monthly salary usually based on the unqualified teachers’ scale (from £15, 113 FTE, 2008-09 figures).

Apply direct to EBITT  providers at any time. Be aware that the availability of RTP is limited and places are competitive.

Detailed information from the TDA: Registered teacher programme.