Skip to content ↓

Get a degree while you train

You need a bachelor’s degree to train to teach in primary, secondary and special schools in England. This does not have to be in teaching.
If you do not already have a degree, you can train to be a teacher as part of your bachelor’s degree and get qualified teacher status (QTS).

Degree courses that include QTS typically cost £9,250 per year and take 3-4 years, but you can get funding for your training. As part of selecting your degree course, you will need to decide if you want to train to teach at primary or secondary level. Learn about deciding who to teach.

You apply directly to UCAS.

  • To teach at primary level you will be looking for degrees such as Primary Education (with QTS). 
  • To teach at secondary level you will be looking for degrees such as Physical Education with QTS, Chemistry with Secondary Education (QTS), Mathematics and Secondary Teaching (QTS) etc. 

Qualifications vary depending on the course. For example, you could get QTS with a:

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA)
  • Bachelor of Education (BEd)
  • Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Make sure you research your degree course carefully!

 There are 2 opportunities to earn a salary while completing your degree.

The Teacher Degree Apprenticeship (TDA)

The TDA is an exciting new apprenticeship route into teaching that provides candidates with the opportunity to earn while they learn.

There has been a gap in the market for an employment-based, degree-awarding route into teaching; the TDA will address this and support the recruitment of excellent teachers. This will broaden access to the teaching profession and allow individuals to train who might otherwise have been unable to.

The TDA will be: 

  • A 4-year course with an average of 40% off the job training.
  • Delivered through ITT providers, working with employing schools on delivery.
  • Available for people to train as primary or secondary teachers.
  • Available for candidates to apply from Autumn 2024 with training commencing in Autumn 2025.

By completing the TDA, apprentices will receive both an undergraduate degree and qualified teacher status (QTS), whilst receiving a salary and avoiding student debt.

From Primary School TA to Primary School Teacher - BA (Hons) in Primary Education

The University of Buckingham has designed a three-year BA (Hons) in Primary Education course for those working as teaching assistants in schools who wish to become primary school teachers. The distance learning format enables TAs to work, earn and study for a degree simultaneously, whilst preserving their classroom experience in your school. This means schools can retain and provide a pathway for a TA without a degree to become a teacher in their school.   

This degree is designed to enable you to work in a paid job while taking the course which is online, enabling you to do the work and complete tasks at times you can manage. You will have your own University of Buckingham tutor who will support you throughout the course. 

This is a three-year BA degree course. To become a teacher you will then need to complete a Qualified Teacher Status (ITT) course which may be paid, through your employer, by the apprenticeship levy. A typical teacher training course is only 10 months long, so adding a three-year degree to that will ensure you have a much higher level of knowledge.                          

 

You also need the following GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, or equivalent qualifications:

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science if you want to teach primary

You may be able to show you meet the standard in another way if you do not have these GCSEs.

Find out more about the qualifications you need to be a teacher in England.

If you’re a non-UK citizen who wants to study in England, you can visit the UK Council for International Student Affairs(opens in new window) for information about studying at an English university.