To be a teacher, you must be a patient, empathetic, and adaptable individual with a deep passion for lifelong learning. Effective educators possess strong communication skills, boundless resilience, and the ability to inspire and manage diverse groups of students in dynamic environments.
To become a teacher in the UK, you generally need a bachelor’s degree, standard GCSEs (Grade 4/C or above) in English and maths (and science if teaching primary), and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). You can train through university-based or school-led postgraduate programs.
Key Requirements
To teach in most state-maintained schools in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you must hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Scotland requires registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS)
In England, the standard route is:
Get a degree
Complete teacher training
Gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
What to study
If you want to teach primary school (ages 5–11)
You can study:
Primary Education
Education Studies
Childhood Studies
Best route:
A degree with QTS included
Example: “BA Primary Education with QTS”
You’ll study:
Child development
Classroom management
Maths/English teaching methods.
School placements If you want to teach secondary school (ages 11–18)
Study the subject you want to teach.
| Want to Teach | Good Degree Choice |
| Maths | Mathematics |
| English | English Literature |
| Science | Physics/Chemistry/Biology |
| Computing | Computer Science |
| History | History |
| PE | Sports Science |
| Art | Fine Art |
| Geography | Geography |
After the degree:
Do a PGCE or teacher training course
Best subjects for jobs and salary support
England has teacher shortages in:
Maths, Physics, Chemists, Computing and Languages
These often offer:
Training bursaries and Scholarships
Main training routes in England
University-led (PGCE)
Most common.
Degree → 1-year PGCE → QTS
Degree with QTS
Usually for primary teaching.
Everything is combined into one course.
School Direct
Train mainly in a school while learning.
Good if you prefer practical experience.
Teaching apprenticeship
Earn while training.
Less common but growing.
Entry requirements Usually:
GCSE English and Maths (grade 4/C or above)
Science GCSE for primary teaching
A university degree
DBS background check
How long it takes
3-year degree, 1-year teacher training, Total: about 4 years
If you already have a degree
About 1 year for teacher training
Course search: UCAS Teaching Courses
Good advice before choosing If you’re unsure:
Secondary teaching → choose a subject you genuinely enjoy
Primary teaching → education-focused degree is fine
For strong job security → maths, science, or computing are excellent choices
You can also gain experience by:
Volunteering in schools
Becoming a teaching assistant first
Tutoring younger students
Teacher yearly salary ranges:
Main Pay Range (Qualified Teachers)
Point 1 (Minimum): £32,916 per year
Point 3: £37,101 per year
Point 6 (Maximum): £45,352 per year
Upper Pay Range and Leadership
Upper Pay Range (U1–U3): £47,472 to £51,048 per year
Leading Practitioner Range: £52,026 to £79,092 per year
Unqualified Teacher Range: £22,601 to £35,259 per year
