Find out what teaching qualifications you need in the UK, from QTS and PGCE to Level 3 to 5 teaching diplomas for colleges and training.
What Teaching Qualifications Do You Need to Start a Career in Education?
Teaching is a rewarding career, but the route into it can feel confusing. Do you need a degree? What is QTS? Is a PGCE the same thing? The answer depends on where you want to teach. Schools, colleges and workplace training all have different rules. This guide explains the main teaching qualifications in the UK so you can choose the right path.
What Qualifications Do You Need for Teaching?
There is no single teaching qualification for every setting. The most common routes are:
- State schools in England: you usually need a degree and Qualified Teacher Status, known as QTS.
- Colleges, adult education and training providers: you usually need a teaching qualification in education and training, often at Level 3 to Level 5.
- Support roles in schools: you can start with a teaching assistant qualification.
Rules also differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so always check the requirements for the nation country you want to work.
Teaching Qualifications for Schools: QTS and PGCE
To teach in most state schools in England, you normally need QTS. This is an official status, not a qualification. It shows that you have met the national teaching standards. The usual route is to complete initial teacher training after your degree.
Entry requirements usually include a degree, plus GCSE grade 4 (or C) in English and maths. Primary applicants often need science too. You will also need to pass background checks before working with children.
Is QTS or PGCE Better?
This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is that they are different things. QTS is the status that lets you teach in most state schools. A PGCE, short for Postgraduate Certificate in Education, is an academic qualification awarded by a university. Many teacher training courses lead to both. Some routes give you QTS only, and some give you a PGCE as well.
So neither is simply better. If you plan to teach abroad or want postgraduate credits, a PGCE can be useful. If you only need to teach in an English state school, QTS is the key requirement.
Can I Train to Be a Teacher at 40?
Yes, absolutely. There is no upper age limit for training as a teacher. Many people retrain in their 30s, 40s and 50s, and schools value the life and work experience they bring. If you already have a degree, you can apply for teacher training. If you do not, a degree is the first step for most school routes.
Teaching Qualifications for Colleges and Training: Level 3 to Level 5
If you want to teach adults, work in a college or deliver training at work, you do not always need QTS. Instead, employers look for a recognised teaching qualification in education and training.
The Focus Awards Level 3 Award in Education and Training (RQF) is the usual entry point. It introduces the teaching role, lesson planning and assessment, and it suits people who are new to teaching or who deliver occasional training.
The Focus Awards Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (RQF) goes deeper and usually includes practical teaching. For teaching in colleges and skills settings, the Focus Awards Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills) (RQF) is built around real classroom practice.
These qualifications do not give QTS. They are designed for further education, adult learning and workplace training, so choose the route that matches where you want to teach.
Teaching Assistant Qualifications
Many future teachers start as teaching assistants. It gives you school experience, helps you decide if teaching is right for you, and builds your confidence with children.
The Focus Awards Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF) suits those supporting classroom learning. Experienced assistants can progress to the Focus Awards Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants (RQF), which prepares them for greater responsibility, such as leading small groups or covering lessons.
Assessment and Specialist Teaching Skills
Teachers and trainers often add extra skills. The Focus Awards Level 3 Award in Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment (RQF) is useful for anyone who needs to judge learners’ work fairly.
If you want to teach English overseas or to learners who speak other languages, the Focus Awards Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (RQF) is a popular choice. Modern classrooms are also changing, and the Focus Awards Level 3 Award in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education (RQF) helps teachers use AI tools safely.
Teaching Qualifications Online and Free Options
Many people search for teaching qualifications online, and flexible study is common, especially for education and training courses. Theory can often be studied at home, but teaching is a practical skill, so most qualifications also include observed teaching practice.
Some people look for free teaching qualifications. Funding depends on your subject, location, employer and the provider, and it changes often. Check the government’s teacher training information and ask providers directly about current support.
What Skills Do You Need to Teach?
Qualifications matter, but good teachers also need strong communication, patience, organisation and subject knowledge. You should enjoy helping people learn and be ready to keep learning yourself. Professional development never really stops in teaching, and many teachers add new qualifications throughout their careers.
Final Thoughts
There are many ways into teaching. Whether you want to work in a primary school, a college or a training centre, the key is to match your qualification to your goal. Start small if you need to, gain experience and keep building your skills. A well-chosen teaching qualification can open the door to a rewarding career in education.
FAQs
Do I need a degree to teach? For most state schools in England, yes. For many college and workplace training roles, a recognised teaching qualification and subject experience may be enough.
How long does teacher training take? Most school routes take about a year full time. Education and training qualifications range from a few weeks to a year or more.
Can I teach part time? Yes. Many teachers, tutors and trainers work part time, especially in colleges and adult education.
Do I need to pass background checks? Yes. Anyone working with children or vulnerable adults needs the right checks before starting.
Can I teach my own trade or skill? Yes. Many trainers teach the trade they already work in, after gaining a teaching qualification.
Get in Touch with Focus Awards
To find out more or to get in touch, visit our contact page or explore our qualification development services if you need a bespoke qualification developed for your organisation.
You can explore our full range of qualifications on our website at https://focusawards.org.uk/qualifications/ or contact us directly at info@focusawards.org.uk or on 0333 3447 388.
