In this guide
Career changes and transitions
Moving into teaching in England from another career
The main routes to qualified teacher status in England, how to test the decision with school experience, funding to check and how to present your career so far.
The main routes
The Department for Education's Get Into Teaching service explains that you need a bachelor's degree to get qualified teacher status (QTS), and that QTS is needed to teach in maintained schools in England.
| If you | Route to explore |
|---|---|
| Have a degree | Postgraduate teacher training leading to QTS, with or without a PGCE |
| Do not have a degree | A bachelor's degree first, or a teacher degree apprenticeship that combines work, a degree and QTS |
| Already work as an unqualified teacher | An assessment-only route to QTS |
Test the decision with school experience
Spending time in a school shows you what the day actually involves and gives you something specific to discuss in applications. Get Into Teaching describes ways to arrange school experience, and some people also gain experience as a teaching assistant or tutor.
Questions to answer during school experience
- Which age group and subject do I enjoy most?
- How do I feel at the end of a full school day?
- What do teachers say is hardest about their first years?
- Can I picture myself managing a class, not just helping one pupil?
Check funding before you choose a course
Funding for teacher training depends on your route, your subject and the year you train. Salaried routes pay you while you train; fee-paying postgraduate courses may come with bursaries or scholarships for some subjects and student finance. Check the official funding information for the year you will start.
Present your previous career as an asset
Illustrative example
Connecting a previous career to teaching
- A laboratory technician applying to teach chemistry describes explaining procedures to new staff and running safety briefings.
- A marketing manager applying to teach English describes presenting to large groups and giving feedback on written work.
- A retail manager applying to teach primary describes managing behaviour on busy shifts and planning a team's week.
Training providers look for subject knowledge, communication and resilience; specific examples show all three.
Common questions
Do I need a degree in the subject I want to teach?
Not always. Providers look at your subject knowledge, and some offer subject knowledge enhancement courses. Check the entry requirements for each course.
Can I train part time?
Some postgraduate courses are offered part time. Search current courses for the options available in your area.
Sources
- Get Into Teaching: train to be a teacherDepartment for Education · England · checked 3 October 2026
- Qualified teacher status (QTS): qualify to teach in EnglandGOV.UK · England · checked 3 October 2026
- Teacher training fundingGOV.UK · England · checked 3 October 2026
Put it into practice
Guidance by career stageDrafted with AI assistance and checked against Luceria’s editorial standards. Examples are illustrative, not real people’s results. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.