Teacher training entry requirements in England

Academic requirements

Qualifications

The teaching profession looks for the highest quality candidates, so you’ll need to meet the following requirements before you can be accepted for a training programme. Some training programmes have many more applications than places available, so their requirements might be higher.

1. For postgraduate teacher training programmes, you'll need to hold an undergraduate degree awarded by a higher education provider or a recognised equivalent qualification.
2. You’ll need to have achieved a standard equivalent to grade C/4, or above, in the GCSE examinations in English and mathematics.
3. If you intend to train to teach pupils aged 3 – 11 (early years and primary), you must also have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C/4, or above, in a GCSE science subject examination.

What’s happened to the skills test?

The skills test is no longer part of the entry requirements for Teacher Training in England. Instead, the DfE are replacing the skills test with a new approach, designed with (and delivered by) providers. The new approach will allow providers to work with candidates to help them develop their literacy and numeracy skills throughout their course, if needed. However, trainees who remain unable to meet the required level of literacy and numeracy skills will not reach Qualified Teacher Status.

For more information about the entry requirements for your chosen training programme, please contact the training provider.

If you haven’t achieved the required GCSEs, there are options to study the qualifications through local colleges or at home, through organisations like NEC (National Extension College).

If your degree subject doesn't link closely to your chosen teaching subject, you may still be able to apply for a postgraduate teacher training programme by undertaking a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course. Training providers may ask you to take an SKE course as a condition of your offer if they feel you have the right qualities to become a teacher, but need more subject knowledge first. To find out more about SKE courses, visit Get Into Teaching.

As teaching involves working with children on a daily basis, there are some non-academic requirements you'll need to meet to make sure teaching’s the right job for you.

1. School experience

If you can spend some time observing and helping out with lessons in a local school before you apply, it will help to strengthen your application. You can use the experience in your personal statement, showing what you’ve gained from it and how it’s increased your motivation to be a teacher. There are several ways you can get school experience:

• You can register with Get Into Teaching and search for participating schools in your area via the Get School Experience service.

• Alternatively, you can arrange school experience independently. If you’re not sure where to begin, the Get Into Teaching website has lots of tips to help you get started. Hear first-hand from teachers about their experience of gaining class time in this short video.

2. Medical fitness

When you accept a place on a training programme, your training provider may send you a health questionnaire to find out about your medical fitness.

• Some applicants may be asked to have a medical examination.
• If you have a disability, it’s helpful if you give us full details on your application, so training providers can try to make any adjustments you may need.

3. Declaration of criminal convictions

If you have a criminal record, it won’t necessarily prevent you becoming a teacher. You’ll need to disclose any criminal convictions, cautions, or bind-overs that are not filtered, and you’ll need to agree to an enhanced criminal record check. We also advise you to discuss your circumstances with training providers before you apply.

4. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) 

This is the Government scheme that replaced the Criminal Records Bureau. This enables training providers to identify people who are barred from working with children and vulnerable adults. Check with the DBS to see what you need to do to comply with these arrangements.