At CCCU, we offer a variety of routes into teaching, all to suit your needs.

If you're still not sure about which route to take and need more information about how to get into teaching, then read our free ebook for everything you need to know. From advice from current students and alumni to myth busters, you'll find all the information you need to get a head start.

Discover your future with CCCU and start your teaching journey today!

Compare your routes into teaching

There are several ways to become a teacher, depending on your qualifications, experience and the age group you want to teach. Use this table to compare your options and find the route that best suits you.

Route	Who is it for?	Typical duration	Qualification or outcome
Undergraduate Primary Education	People without a degree who want to teach in primary schools.	3 years full-time	BA (Hons) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
PGCE Primary Education	Graduates who want to teach children aged 3–11.	1 year full-time	PGCE and QTS
PGCE Secondary Education	Graduates who want to teach a specialist subject in secondary schools.	1 year full-time	PGCE and QTS
School-based teacher training	Graduates who prefer to train primarily in a school.	Usually 1 year	QTS, with an optional PGCE
Assessment Only QTS	Experienced unqualified teachers who already meet the required teaching standards.	Approximately 12 weeks	QTS
PGCE Further Education	Graduates who want to teach in colleges, sixth forms or adult education.	1 year full-time or 2 years part-time	PGCE; can contribute towards eligibility for QTLS
Diploma in Further Education and Skills	People working or volunteering in further education who want a recognised teaching qualification.	2 years part-time	Level 5 Diploma; can contribute towards eligibility for QTLS
Childhood, Youth and Communities or SEN pathway	People who want to study alongside working and may later train as teachers.	Varies by pathway	Foundation degree, top-up degree, then PGCE with QTS

Initial Teacher Education bursaries and scholarships 2026-27