An undergraduate degree and successful completion of a teacher training programme is compulsory for QTS recommendation. One of the main routes to achieving QTS, for those already in possession of a degree, involves undertaking a postgraduate teacher training course, such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Diploma in Education and Training or a School Direct programme. There are also some undergraduate degree qualifications leading to QTS, such as the Bachelor of Education. In England only, candidates must also pass professional skills tests. All candidates must have GCSEs at grade C or above in English and mathematics, and prospective primary teachers must also be in possession of a grade C in a science subject before embarking on teacher training. All training which leads to qualified teacher status requires trainees to train across at least two key consecutive pupil age ranges, as defined in the Secretary of State's Requirements for Initial Teacher Training. The age ranges are:
Ages 3–5
Ages 5–7
Ages 7–9
Ages 9–11
Ages 11–14
Ages 14–16
Ages 16–19
The Teaching Regulation Agency in England and General Teaching Council for Wales maintain all registrations, as well as issuing QTS certificates. QTS is technically recognised only in the country it was awarded, but teachers can normally apply for QTS in other Home Countries relatively easily. QTS is also recognised by many other countries once the relevant paperwork has been completed, though many countries place a lot of importance on the route to QTS. Teachers trained outside England and Wales must also apply to be awarded QTS if they wish to teach in these countries. After having been awarded QTS teachers must normally still pass an induction period - normally their first year of teaching. Teachers who have gained QTS but have not yet completed the Induction period are known as NQTs. NQTs who fail the induction still retain their QTS, but cannot teach in state-run schools. The induction period normally lasts a year. Not all European Union qualifications have been officially recognized yet, so one should confirm with one's education establishment as to whether one's qualifications are acceptable, or whether one needs to go through the recognition process.
Routes to QTS
Many different qualifications and courses lead to QTS:
The PGCE is a one-year course for existing degree holders, and the most common postgraduate route into teaching. It is based at and coordinated by a university or other higher education institution, though students spend a large proportion of the course working in placement schools. The PGCE carries credits towards a master's degree.
The DET is a Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training. It is a one-year 120 credit initial teacher training programme awarded by a university or an awarding body such as . The DET graduates are eligible to apply for a QTS from .
A SCITT programme enables graduates to undertake their training within a school environment, leading to QTS. Some SCITT programmes also award a PGCE qualification. It is available in England only.
The GTP enables candidates to gain QTS while they are employed as an unqualified teacher in a school. Both the graduate and registered teacher programmes have been closed in England. The graduate teacher programme has been replaced by the School Direct Training Programme.
Undergraduate QTS routes
Students can take a three or four-year undergraduate degree course that includes QTS. This enables a candidate to gain their QTS while they study for their degree, with teaching practice being undertaken over the course of the whole programme. These are usually Bachelor of Education degrees, though some are Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
QTS as such does not exist in Scotland or Northern Ireland. However, as is the case in England and Wales, all teachers in Scotland and Northern Ireland are required to register with either the General Teaching Council for Scotland or the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland; the General Teaching Councils will consider only graduates with teaching qualifications for registration. In Northern Ireland, a one-year Induction programme must be completed. In Scotland, a one-year probation period must be completed. Those holding English or Welsh QTS must apply for registration with the relevant General Teaching Council. Each case is considered individually; even those with English or Welsh QTS are not guaranteed to be allowed to teach in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
